H  I  S  T  O  R V 

OF  THE 


W YOMl  N G  CON  F E  RE NC E 


PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


Purchased  by  the 
Mrs.  Robert  Lenox  Kennedy  Church  History  Fund. 


Division  

Section.. 


History 

of  the 

Wyoming  Conference 

of  the 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church 


A.  F.  CHAFFEE 


New  York 

EATON  &  MAINS 
1904 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/historyofwyomingOOchaf 


:il8cetbren 
of 

Xniisomind  Conterence 


INTRODUCTION 


The  work  of  gathering  information  for  this  volume  has 
extended  over  a  period  of  seven  or  eight  years.  Files  of  the 
Northern  and  New  York  Christian  Advocates  have  been  carefully 
examined  for  material.  County  histories  and  gazetteers  have 
yielded  their  contributions.  County  records  have  been  searched, 
local  histories  eagerly  read.  A  number  of  biographies  have  given 
some  return  for  the  labor  of  perusal.  Dr.  George  Peck's  Early 
Methodism  and  Conable's  History  of  Genesee  Conference  have 
been  invaluable  helps.  Thousands  of  letters  have  been  written 
to  pastors  and  laymen  asking  for  facts.  Again  and  again  I  have 
been  told  that  the  parties  who  knew  all  about  the  early  history 
had  recently  passed  away.  Consequently,  there  are  some  sketches 
of  churches  which  are  tantalizingly  meager.  However,  there  are 
many  which  are  exceedingly  gratifying.  I  hope  the  publication 
of  this  book  may  lead  to  the  discovery  of  hitherto  hidden  ma- 
terial, which  will  help  some  future  writer  to  produce  a  more 
complete  history  of  our  Conference. 

The  sketches  of  living  preachers  have  been  confined  largely  to 
the  material  they  thought  wise  to  furnish.  The  portraits  of  some 
do  not  appear.  I  am  sorry.  At  my  expense  every  member  of  the 
Conference  was  asked  to  sit  for  a  picture.  Most  complied,; 
many  since  have  been  solicited.  However,  there  is  a  larger 
percentage  of  portraits  in  this  book  than  has  ever  been  published 
of  the  Conference.  One  will  look  in  vain  for  certain  stock  phrases 
of  eulogy  in  connection  with  debt  raising  and  building  enter- 
prises. These  worthy  events  are  always  brought  about  by  the 
"skill,  tact,  indomitable  energy,  heroic  self-sacrifice,  and  conse- 
cration of  the  pastor."  In  reading  a  sketch  in  which  any  such 
events  are  recorded  a  glance  at  the  pastorates  will  reveal  the 
name  of  the  hero. 

V 


VI 


Introduction 


I  do  not  send  this  book  forth  unmindful  of  its  shortcomings. 
At  one  time  there  was  a  Conference  Association  of  Local  Preach- 
ers. I  have  hunted  in  vain  for  information  concerning  its  size, 
years  of  life,  and  notes  concerning  its  members.  >  I  planned  to 
put  in  a  chapter  concerning  the  local  preachers  of  earlier  days. 
Rev.  C.  L.  Rice^  the  son  of  a  local  preacher,  was  to  have  furnished 
me  the  material  for  the  chapter.  His  death,  early  in  this  Con- 
ference year,  prevented.  I  regret  this  exceedingly.  Some  very 
interesting  characters,  strikingly  original  and  powerful,  existed 
among  the  early  local  preachers  of  the  Conference.  Some  ex- 
tended notice  ought  to  be  made  of  W.  F.  Boyce,  D.  W.  Swet- 
land,  O.  G.  Russell,  A.  Eastman,  W.  H.  Horton,  N.  W.  Barnes, 
and  many  others,  local  preachers  who  have  done  most  excellent 
work  as  supplies,  and  well  deserve  enshrining  in  historic  page. 
More  statistics  might  have  been  incorporated.  The  officiary  of 
the  various  churches  would  have  added  interest.  The  work  of 
the  Epworth  Leagues  and  Sunday  schools  might  well  have  had  a 
commanding  place.  The  deliverances  of  the  Conference  on  the 
great  questions  of  the  day  could  have  been  made  fascinating. 
Rev.  Benjamin  Bidlack  should  have  had  some  notice — but  we 
lacked  room. 

The  cuts  of  the  churches  are  mostly  from  photographs  taken 
by  myself,  and  were  taken  under  a  vast  variety  of  conditions. 
Castle  Creek  was  taken  during  a  very  heavy  snowstorm.  Some 
were  taken  during  rainstorms,  some  in  midwinter,  and  some  at 
hours  in  the  day  which  could  not  yield  the  most  artistic  results. 
A  number  have  been  furnished  by  local  artists.  I  have  not 
attempted  to  include  all,  but  enough  to  give  the  varieties  of  form 
within  the  Conference.  Some  for  which  I  have  appealed  did 
not  reach  me. 

One  has  to  work  at  a  task  of  this  kind  but  a  little  while  to  fully 
appreciate  the  statement  of  Arnold  in  which  he  calls  history  a 
great  Mississippi  of  falsehood.  In  one  case  I  received  three  dif- 
ferent dates  of  a  dedicatory  service  from  three  parties,  each  of 
whom  was  present.  I  have  done  my  best  to  be  accurate,  but  do 
not  claim  infallibility. 


Introduction 


vii 


In  tabulating  the  pastorates  I  have  followed  the  published 
Minutes.  These  may  occasionally  vary  from  fact.  The  presiding 
elders,  especially  in  early  days,  frequently  adjusted  the  appoint- 
ments somewhat  after  Conference.  In  the  main,  however,  the 
tabulations  are  accurate. 

The  article  concerning  Wyoming  Seminary  is  largely  the  work 
of  its  president.  Rev.  L.  L.  Sprague,  D.D. 

The  sketches  in  chapters  nine  and  ten  have  been  placed  in 
alphabetical  order.  The  insertion  of  cuts,  however,  has  forced  a 
little  variation. 

I  desire  to  express  my  high  appreciation  of  the  very  valuable 
assistance  given  me  by  my  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  by  many 
laymen,  without  which  the  publication  of  a  book  of  this  kind 
would  be  an  impossibility  to  a  busy  pastor. 

Now  that  the  work  is  done,  I  realize  that  I  shall  miss  its  many 
demands.  Hoping  that  I  may  have  contributed  to  a  larger  appre- 
ciation of  our  heritage,  and  preserved  from  loss  some  valuable 
facts  of  our  Conference  history,  and  profoundly  conscious  that 
the  work  merited  a  more  able  and  skillful  pen,  I  submit  the 
volume  to  the  public.  A.  F.  Chaffee. 

Carbondale,  Pa.,  December  lo,  1903. 


CONTENTS 


PAGES 

CHAPTER  1 

General  History  i-ii 

CHAPTER  n 

Early  Circuits  12-54 

CHAPTER  HI 

Controversies  55-^4 

CHAPTER  IV 

Camp  Meetings  65-82 

CHAPTER  V 

Schools  —  83-98 

CHAPTER  VI 

Preachers'  Aid  Society  99-106 

CHAPTER  VII 

Historical  Society  '107-125 

CHAPTER  VIII 

Matters  in  General  124-146 

CHAPTER  IX 

Deceased  Preachers  147-269 

ix 


X  Contents 


PAGES 

CHAPTER  X 

Living  Preachers  270-439 

CHAPTER  XI 

BiNGHAMTON  DISTRICT  440-53I 

CHAPTER  Xn 

Chenango  District  532-597 

CHAPTER  XIII 

HONESDALE  DISTRICT    598-690 

CHAPTER  XIV 

Oneonta  District  691-771 

CHAPTER  XV 

Owego  District  772-843 

CHAPTER  XVI 

Wyoming  District  844-953 

CHAPTER  XVII 

Brief  Statistical  Summary  954 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  I 
GENERAI.  HISTORY 

Wyoming  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
receives  its  name  from  the  historic  valley  which  lies  within  its 
boundaries.  The  word  is  said  to  be  a  corruption  of  the  Indian 
word  Maughwaiiwame,  which  is  composed  of  two  words, 
Maughwau,  large,  and  wame,  plains.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that 
Wyoming  really  means  Large  Plains.  The  early  settlers,  finding 
it  difficult  to  pronounce  the  word  correctly,  spoke  it  Wauwaumie, 
then  Wiawumie,  then  Wiomie,  and,  finally,  Wyoming. 

The  valley  deserves  some  further  notice  than  a  simple  refer- 
ence tO'  its  name.  It  is  a  charming  valley,  situated  in  Luzerne 
County,  Pa.  It  lies  northeast  and  southwest,  and  is  about  three 
miles  wide  by  about  twenty-one  miles  long,  with  the  Susque- 
hanna River  winding  serenely  through  its  length.  It  was  a 
favorite  haunt  of  the  Indians.  When  the  white  man  first  visited 
this  valley  he  found  it  peopled  with  the  Delawares,  who,  after 
becoming  subordinate  to  the  Six  Nations,  had  been  ordered  to 
leave  their  homes  on  the  Delaware  and  take  possession  of  the 
Wyoming  Valley.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  these  were  not 
the  first  Indians  who  made  this  valley  their  home.  When  the 
''forty  settlers"  came  intO'  the  valley  in  1769  they  found  the  re- 
mains of  two  fortifications,  one  on  the  west  side  of  Toby's  Creek 
in  Kingston  Township,  and  one  on  Jacob's  Plains,  or  upper  flats, 
in  Wilkes-Barre.  Large  trees  were  growing  in  the  Kingston  in- 
closure,  one  of  w^hich,  when  cut  down,  was  discovered  to  be  seven 
hundred  years  old.  Mr.  Stewart  Pearce  suggests  that  these  forti- 
fications were  made  by  the  Toltecs,  the  same  race  of  people  whose 
works  have  been  found  in  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

Wyoming  Valley  was  the  ground  over  which  the  Pennamite 
and  Yankee  war  was  waged  for  a  period  of  thirty  years,  1769- 
1799.  This  war  between  the  Yankees  and  Pennamites  was  made 
possible  by  King  Charles  II  granting  the  same  territory  to  two 
I 


2 


Wyoming  Conference 


different  parties.  In  1662  he  granted  a  charter  to  the  Connecticut 
colony,  which  was  really  the  reaffirming  of  a  grant  by  James  I, 
in  1620,  to  the  Plymouth  Company ;  and  in  1681  he  granted  letters 
patent  to  William  Penn,  his  heirs,  etc.,  for  the  same  territory,  a 
part  of  which  was  the  Wyoming  Valley.  In  this  war  the  Yankees 
manifested  singular  pluck  and  heroism. 

The  valley  is  made  more  famous  because  of  the  massacre  which 
occurred  therein  on  July  3,  1778.  The  Yankees  were  patriots, 
and  furnished  a  liberal  quota  of  soldiers  to  help  in  the  war  for 
American  independence.  There  were  a  few  forts  in  the  valley, 
but  these  were  practically  useless  without  defenders.  Major  John 
Butler,  a  Tory  of  Niagara,  raised  a  company  of  loyalists  and  In- 
dians, variously  estimated  as  containing  from  seven  hundred  to 
sixteen  hundred  men,  and  marched  into  the  valley  for  the  purpose 
of  destroying  the  settlement.  On  the  afternoon  of  July  3  this 
army  was  met  by  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  at  the  head  of  about 
three  hundred  Yankees.  The  battle  which  ensued,  and  the  hor- 
rible atrocities  practiced  by  Tories  and  Indians,  are  faithfully 
told  by  Dr.  Peck  in  his  Wyoming,  by  Miner  in  his  history,  and 
by  Stewart  in  his  Annals  of  Luzerne.  About  two  hundred 
Yankees  w^ere  killed,  and  the  Tory  loss  was  about  eighty.  A 
monument  stands  in  Wyoming  commemorative  of  the  battle.  In 
the  same  village  may  be  seen  Queen  Esther's  Rock,  safely  pro- 
tected from  vandalism  by  an  iron  cage. 

With  the  exception  of  some  territory  in  the  Honesdale  District 
which  is  drained  by  the  Delaware  River,  the  territory  of  Wyo- 
ming Conference  lies  in  the  basin  of  the  east  branch  of  the  Susque- 
hanna River.  The  east  branch  is  said  to  be  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  in  length,  over  two  hundred  miles  of  which  is  in 
the  territory  of  Wyoming  Conference.  In  this  basin  are  fertile 
valleys,  rich  pasture  lands,  rugged  hills  and  mountains,  and  rich 
coal  deposits.  Here  may  be  found  picturesque  and  entrancing 
scenery,  some  of  which  compares  favorably  with  any  in  the  East. 
In  this  territory  are  quiet  country  villages,  beautiful  county 
seats,  thriving  cities,  and  railroad  centers.  In  some  portions  of 
this  territory  may  be  found  representatives  of  almost  every  nation 
on  earth.  Other  portions  are  characterized  by  having  as  small  a 
percentage  of  illiterates  as  any  section  of  the  United  States. 

A  study  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Annual  Conferences  is  interest- 
ing indeed.  From  1773  to  1784  there  are  no  districts,  nothing  but 
a  list  of  appointments  and  some  Disciplinary  questions  and 
answers  given.  After  the  organization  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  1784  we  have  presiding  eiders,  but  their  districts 


Districts  Formed 


3 


have  no  names  given  to  them  until  1801,  and  in  the  following 
year,  1802,  the  Church  is  divided  into  seven  Conferences — the 
Western,  South  Carolina,  Virginia,  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New 
York,  and  New  England. 

In  1 79 1  two  circuits  are  among  the  appointments,  Wyoming 
and  Otsego,  which  are  now  important  sections  of  our  Conference 
— Wyoming  on  the  south  and  Otsego  on  the  northeast.  In  the 
following  year  Tioga  Circuit  appears,  occupying  the  northwestern 
section  of  our  territory.  It  seems  by  this  that  the  work  began  at 
these  three  sections  of  our  territory  about  the  same  time  and 
worked  toward  the  center.  Chenango  Circuit  was  formed  in  1798, 
Canaan  in  1808,  Broome  in  1812,  and  Bridgewater  in  1813. 
Of  the  district  containing  Wyoming  Robert  Cloud  was  presiding 
elder.  The  territorial  extent  of  his  district  was  enormous,  con- 
taining Newburgh,  Wyoming,  New  York,  New  Rochelle,  and 
Long  Island.  A  little  knowledge  of  the  times  and  condition  of 
work,  and  fair  imaginative  powers,  will  enable  one  to  understand 
the  heroism  of  the  men  who  did  the  work,  and  the  almost  romantic 
lives  they  led.  Otsego  Circuit  was  on  a  district  which  covered 
almost  as  much  territory — Dutchess,  Columbia,  New  Britain, 
Cambridge,  Albany,  Saratoga,  and  Otsego. 

In  1802  the  districts  were  named,  and  Wyoming  is  in  the  Phila- 
delphia District,  while  Otsego,  Tioga,  and  Chenango  are  in  the 
Albany  District,  Otsego  being  probably  a  part  of  Albany  Circuit. 

In  1803  Conferences  were  formed.  Wyoming  now  appears  in 
the  Susquehanna  District  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  and 
Otsego,  Tioga,  and  Chenango  in  the  Genesee  District  of  the  same 
Conference. 

In  1804  Susquehanna  District  appears  as  a  part  of  the  Balti- 
more Conference,  and  Wyoming  is  a  part  of  this  district,  while 
Otsego,  Tioga,  and  Chenango  are  still  in  Genesee  District  of  the 
Philadelphia  Conference. 

In  1805  Wyoming  and  Tioga  are  in  the  Susquehanna  District 
of  the  Baltimore  Conference,  which  now  comprises  all  the  terri- 
tory from  Tioga,  N.  Y.,  to  Carlisle,  Pa.  Otsego  and  Chenango 
remain  as  before,  the  district  containing  about  two  and  a  half 
times  as  much  territory  as  is  now  in  Otsego  and  Chenango 
Counties. 

No  further  change  is  made  until  1808,  when  the  Susquehanna 
District  is  put  into  the  Philadelphia  Conference  and  Canaan 
Circuit  appears  as  part  of  the  district,  having  been  formed  from 
the  Wyoming  Circuit.  Otsego  and  Chenango  Circuits  are  a  part 
of  the  Cayuga  District  of  the  New  York  Conference. 


4 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1810  the  Genesee  Conference  was  formed,  which  had  three 
districts,  the  Susquehanna,  Cayuga,  and  Upper  Canada.  The 
Susquehanna  District  comprised  the  following  appointments : 
Lyons,  Ontario,  Holland  Purchase,  Canisteo,  Lycoming,  North- 
umberland, Wyoming,  Canaan,  Tioga,  Seneca.  Cayuga  District 
contained  these  appointments :  Chenango,  Otsego,  Herkimer, 
Black  River,  Mexico,  Western,  Westmoreland,  Pompey,  Scipio, 
Cayuga.   The  Upper  Canada  District  was  as  large. 

In  1812  the  Chenango  Circuit  is  put  on  the  Susquehanna  Dis- 
trict, and  Broome  Circuit  first  appears  in  the  appointments. 
Oneida  is  substituted  for  the  name  of  Cayuga  District. 

In  1813  Bridgewater  Circuit  appears  among  the  appointments, 
having  been  taken  from  the  Wyoming  Circuit. 

In  1814  Chenango  District  first  appears,  containing  Chenango, 
Pompey,  Onondaga,  Sodus,  Scipio,  Cayuga,  Lebanon,  and 
Broome  appointments.  Susquehanna  District  comprised  Lycom- 
ing, Shamokin,  Northumberland,  Wyoming,  Canaan,  Bridge- 
water,  Wyalusing,  and  Tioga.  Oneida  District  had  eight  ap- 
pointments, of  which  Otsego  was  one ;  and  Genesee  District 
about  as  many. 

Very  few  changes  were  made  affecting  our  territory  until 
Oneida  Conference  was  formed  in  1829,  containing  six  districts — 
Oneida,  Chenango,  Cayuga,  Black  River,  Potsdam,  and  Susque- 
hanna. The  territory  of  our  Conference  lay  in  the  two  districts, 
Chenango  and  Susquehanna.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  give  the 
charges  which  comprised  the  districts.  Lebanon,  Chenango, 
Brookfield,  Otsego,  Sharon,  Westford,  Norwich,  Cooperstown, 
and  Bainbridge  were  in  the  Chenango  District,  and  Wyoming, 
Canaan,  Broome,  Ithaca,  Caroline,  Berkshire,  Owego,  Bridge- 
water,  Wyalusing,  Binghamton,  Pike,  and  Barton  were  in  the 
Susquehanna  District. 

In  1 83 1  the  Berkshire  District  was  formed,  of  wdiich  the  Owego 
District  is  the  successor,  containing  the  following  appointments 
from  the  Susquehanna  District :  Berkshire,  Ithaca,  Spencer, 
Owego,  Binghamton,  and  Broome.  Cortland  was  taken  from 
the  Cayuga  District,  and  Bainbridge  from  the  Chenango  District, 
to  form  a  part  of  the  new  district ;  while  Speedsville,  Dryden,  and 
Danby,  the  remaining  charges  on  the  district,  appear  for  the  first 
time  in  the  list  of  appointments. 

In  1845  the  Oneida  Conference  was  practically  redistricted,  a 
new  district  being  formed,  called  the  Wyoming.  Of  the  seven 
districts,  four  covered  territory  now  in  our  bounds.  Chenango 
District  contained  the  following  charges :     Oxford,  Norwich, 


Oneida  Resolutions 


5 


Smyrna,  Plymouth,  Earlville,  Sherburne,  Exeter,  Otsego, 
Cooperstown,  Middlefield,  Westford,  Richmondville,  Decatur, 
Otego,  Butternuts,  New  Berlin,  Edmeston,  Chenango,  and  Bain- 
bridge.  Owego  District  comprised  Owego,  Candor,  Spencer, 
Speedsville,  Slaterville,  Newark  and  Berkshire,  Flemingville, 
Broome,  Union,  Lisle,  Newfield,  North  Danby,  South  Danby, 
Greene,  McDonough,  Smithville.  The  Susquehanna  District  con- 
tained Binghamton,  Windsor,  Page  Brook,  Lanesboro,  Orwell, 
Pike,  Nichols,  Barton,  Factoryville,  Vestal,  Montrose,  Dundaff, 
and  Brooklyn.  Wyoming  District  comprised  Wilkes-Barre,  Wy- 
oming, Northmoreland,  Skinner's  Eddy,  Tunkhannock,  Spring- 
ville,  Abington,  Lackawanna,  Carbondale,  Canaan,  Salem,  Lack- 
awaxen,  Honesdale,  Bethany  and  Mount  Pleasant,  Beach  Pond, 
and  Mehoopany. 

In  1846  an  eighth  district  was  created,  called  Otsego,  compris- 
ing Cherry  Valley,  Ames,  Canajoharie,  and  Springfield,  from  the 
Oneida  District,  and  Otsego,  Cooperstown,  Middlefield,  Exeter, 
New  Berlin,  Edmeston,  Westford,  Decatur,  Richmondville,  But- 
ternuts, and  Otego,  from  the  Chenango  District.  At  the  same 
Conference  the  name  of  the  Owego  District  was  changed  to 
Newark. 

As  the  result  of  some  considerable  agitation  concerning  the 
formation  of  a  new  Conference,  the  following  resolutions  were 
passed  by  the  Oneida  Annual  Conference  at  its  session  held  in 
Ithaca,  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  July  28,  185 1 : 

''Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  body  that  the  Oneida 
Annual  Conference  should  be  divided  at  the  approaching  session 
of  the  General  Conference  to  be  held  in  Boston. 

''Resolved,  That  the  delegates  are  instructed  to  request  the 
General  Conference  to  divide  this  body  by  the  line  of  the  road 
known  as  the  Tthaca  and  Cattskill  Turnpike,'  running  easterly 
from  this  place  to  the  western  boundary  of  the  New  York  Con- 
ference, and  that  all  charges  through  which  said  road  passes  shall 
belong  to  the  Conference  on  the  north  side  of  the  line ;  it  being 
understood  that  the  boundary  line  of  the  patronizing  districts  of 
the  Oneida  Conference  Seminary  and  Wyoming  Seminary  shall 
remain  unaltered. 

"Resolved,  That  if  the  Conference  be  divided  the  present 
claimants  on  its  funds  shall  be  so  distributed  (with  the  approba- 
tion of  the  bishop)  that  each  Conference  may  have  an  equal  pro- 
portion of  such  claimants  according  to  the  number  of  members  of 
the  Church  within  the  bounds  of  each  respectively.  It  is  also  the 
understanding  that  the  same  rule  be  adopted  in  dividing  the  Con- 


6 


Wyoming  Conference 


ference  funds,  with  the  exception  of  the  funds  belonging  to  the 
Wesleyan  University  which  shall  remain  undivided  in  the  Oneida 
Conference,  and  that  to  carry  out  these  measures,  a  joint  commit- 
tee of  three  from  each  section  be  appointed  at  this  Conference  to 
meet,  in  case  the  division  be  effected,  at  that  Conference  which 
shall  first  convene  and  consummate  the  arrangement. 

''A  true  copy  from  the  Journals  of  the  Oneida  Annual  Con- 
ference. 

"Attest  D.  W.  Bristol,  Sec'y  O.  A.  C." 

The  committee  contemplated  in  the  above  resolution  and  which 
was  appointed  by  the  presiding  bishop  were  the  following, 
namely :  from  Oneida  Conference,  H.  F.  Rowe,  D.  Holmes,  and 
A.  E.  Daniels ;  from  Wyoming  Conference,  Nelson  Rounds,  E.  B. 
Tenny,  and  W.  H.  Pearne. 

These  resolutions  were  duly  presented  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  1852.  This  Conference  divided  the  Oneida  Conference, 
and  constituted  the  southern  portion  of  it,  lying  chiefly  in  Penn- 
sylvania, a  new  Conference,  giving  it  the  classic  name  of  Wyo- 
ming. It  met  for  its  first  session  on  July  7,  1852,  at  Carbondale, 
Pa.  Bishop  Scott  presided  over  the  Conference  and  conducted 
the  opening  devotional  services.  N.  Rounds  was  elected  secretary 
and  H.  Brownscombe  appointed  assistant.  At  the  roll  call  sixty- 
two  members  were  found  to  be  present.  This  number,  however, 
does  not  give  an  accurate  idea  of  the  number  of  ministers  in  the 
Conference  at  its  organization.  There  were  fifty-seven  active 
pastors,  eleven  superannuates,  and  three  supernumeraries.  Fitch 
Reed  was  transferred  to  the  Oneida  Conference,  John  M.  Snyder 
and  Joseph  Whitham  located,  and  C.  M.  Harvey  was  suspended 
from  all  official  relation  to  the  Church.  Seven  men  were  admitted 
on  trial,  which  would  give  the  Conference  at  its  close  sixty  active 
members.  Add  to  this  number  the  fourteen  supernumeraries  and 
superannuates  and  the  Conference  had  at  its  close  seventy-four 
members.  The  membership  was  as  follows :  10,662  members, 
2,015  probationers,  and  113  local  preachers. 

The  three  districts  which  comprised  the  territory  of  the  Con- 
ference were  the  Newark,  the  Susquehanna,  and  the  Wyoming. 
In  adjusting  the  work  of  the  new  Conference  the  territory  was 
divided  into  four  districts — Binghamton,  Honesdale,  Owego, 
Wyoming. 

We  give  the  appointments  as  they  appear  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
first  Conference : 


Conference  Appointments,  1852 


7 


Wyoming  District 

D.  A.  Shepard,  Presiding  Elder 

Wilkes-Barre,  George  Peck. 

Blackman's  Mines,  to  be  supplied. 

Wyoming,  T.  D.  Walker. 

New  Troy,  to  be  supplied. 

Newport,  O.  F.  Morse. 

Pittston,  G.  M.  Peck,  one  to  be  supplied. 

Northmoreland,  A.  H.  Schoonmaker,  one  to  be  supplied. 

Lehman,  C.  Perkins,  one  to  be  supplied. 

Providence,  H.  Brownscombe,  J.  H.  Cargill. 

Abington,  A.  Bronson. 

Newton,  J.  D.  Safford,  one  to  be  supplied. 

Tunkhannock,  J.  F.  Wilbur. 

Springville,  C.  L.  Rice,  E.  F.  Roberts. 

Skinner's  Eddy,  C.  E.  Taylor. 

Mehoopany,  F.  S.  Chubbuck. 

Wyalusing,  to  be  supplied. 

Wyoming  Seminary,  R.  Nelson,  Principal;  Y.  C.  Smith,  Teacher 
of  Ancient  Languages. 

OwEGo  District 

W.  H.  Pearne,  Presiding  Elder 

Owego,  G.  P.  Porter. 
Flemingville,  to  be  supplied. 
Speedsville,  William  Silsbee. 
North  Danby,  O.  M.  McDowell. 
South  Danby,  L.  Pitts. 
Candor,  E.  Owen. 

Van  Ettenville  and  Spencer,  B.  Ellis,  sy.,  A.  P.  Mead. 
Waverly,  J.  W.  Davidson,  V.  M.  Coryell,  sy. 
Barton,  J.  W.  Hewitt. 
Nichols,  E.  B.  Tenny. 
Litchfield,  to  be  supplied. 

Orwell,  R.  Van  Valkenburg,  one  to  be  supplied. 
Le  Raysville,  John  Mulkey,  one  to  be  supplied. 

BiNGHAMTON  DISTRICT 

Z.  Paddock,  Presiding  Elder 

Henry  Street,  Binghamton,  B.  W.  Gorham. 
Court  Street,  Binghamton,  H.  R.  Clarke. 
Page  Brook,  to  be  supplied. 
Windsor,  William  Round. 
Osborne  Hollow,  William  Roberts. 
Broome,  R.  Ingalls,  H.  T.  Avery. 
Conklin,  A.  C.  Sperry. 

Brooklyn,  E.  W.  Breckinridge,  one  to  be  supplied. 

Montrose,  P.  Bartlett. 

Vestal,  C.  V.  Arnold,  one  to  be  supplied. 


8 


Wyoming  Conference 


Union,  J.  Grimes,  one  to  be  supplied. 
Newark,  N.  S.  De  Witt. 
Berkshire,  A.  Brooks. 

Susquehanna  and  Lanesboro,  G.  H.  Blakeslee. 
Conklin  Forest,  to  be  supplied. 

HONESDALE  DISTRICT 

N.  Rounds,  Presiding  Elder 

Honesdale,  C.  W.  Giddings. 

Canaan,  D.  C.  Olmstead. 

Dundaff,  S.  S.  Barter. 

Carbondale,  W.  Wyatt. 

Salem,  G.  W.  Leach. 

Cherry  Ridge,  M.  Carrier. 

Stoddartsville,  F.  Illman. 

Hawley,  J.  B.  Cooper. 

Narrows  and  Flowers,  to  be  supplied. 

Lackawaxen,  to  be  supplied. 

Beach  Pond.  E.  Smith,  J.  S.  David. 

Bethany,  Z.  Kellogg,  A.  Barker,  sy. 

Mount  Pleasant,  T.  Wilcox. 

Sanford,  R.  S.  Rose. 

Thompson,  W.  Shelp,  one  to  be  supplied. 

In  1855  Wyalusing  District  was  created,  comprising  the  fol- 
lowing appointments :  Alontrose,  Brooklyn,  Gibson,  Le  Raysville, 
Tunkhannock,  Skinner's  Eddy,  Mehoopany  ^Mission,  Colly  Mis- 
sion, Nicholson,  Wyalusing,  Rome,  Orwell,  Litchfield,  Windham, 
and  Spring\alle.  This  district  continued  until  1878.  A  glance  at 
the  list  of  appointments  will  reveal  from  what  districts  they  were 
taken  to  form  the  district,  and  by  what  districts  the  Wyalusing 
was  absorbed.  During  its  existence  it  was  sei^-ed  by  the  follow- 
ing presiding  elders:  1855-58,  George  Landon ;  1859-62,  G.  H. 
Blakeslee;  1863-66,  H.  Brownscombe;  1867-70,  D.  C.  Olmstead; 
1871-74,  Luther  Peck;  1875-77,  L  T.  Walker. 

In  1862  the  Lackawanna  District  was  formed,  comprised  of 
Scranton,  Providence,  Blakeley,  Carbondale,  Dundaff,  Waymart, 
South  Canaan,  Salem,  Sterling,  ^Moscow,  Stoddartsville,  and 
Dunmore.  This  district  continued  until  1869,  when  it  was  ab- 
sorbed by  Wyoming  and  Honesdale  Districts.  During  its  ex- 
istence it  was  served  from  1862-65  by  George  Peck,  and  from 
1866-68  by  George  M.  Peck. 

In  1865  arrangements  were  made  anticipating  a  reunion  of  the 
Oneida  and  Wyoming  Conferences,  some  correspondence  having 
passed  between  some  members  of  both  bodies  relative  to  such  a 
meeting.    Dr.  Z.  Paddock,  of  Wyoming,  was  appointed  to  confer 


Reunion  of  Oneida  and  Wyoming 


9 


with  the  bishops  and  suggest  the  holding  of  both  Conferences  at 
the  same  time.  In  1866  the  Oneida  Conference  met  in  Ithaca  and 
the  Wyoming  in  Owego  at  the  same  time.  The  Oneida  Confer- 
ence formally  extended  an  invitation  to  the  Wyoming  Conference 
to  visit  the  Oneida,  and  Drs.  F.  Reed,'  S.  Comfort,  D.  W.  Bristol, 
and  Revs.  William  Reddy  and  B.  I.  Ives  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee from  Oneida  Conference  to  make  all  necessary  arrange- 
ments and  "superintend  the  courtesies"  to  be  extended  to  Wy- 
oming. Wyoming  Conference  appointed  Revs.  G.  P.  Porter, 
D.  A.  Shepard,  and  R.  Nelson  a  committee  to  make  arrangements 
for  the  visit.  On  Friday  morning,  April  20,  at  seven  o'clock  the 
Conference  started  for  Ithaca.  On  arrival  at  Ithaca  they  were 
given  a  very  cordial  welcome  at  their  church,  after  which  both 
bodies  proceeded  to  Cornell  Hall.  At  the  hall  Bishop  Baker,  who 
was  presiding  over  the  Oneida  Conference,  felicitously  con- 
gratulated the  two  Conferences  upon  their  reunion  after  laboring 
fifteen  years  in  their  respective  fields ;  after  which  he  formally  in- 
troduced the  members  of  the  Wyoming  to  Oneida  Conference. 
Dr.  S.  Comfort,  having  been  selected  for  that  purpose,  then  wel- 
comed Wyoming  to  the  hospitalities  of  Ithaca  Methodism,  and 
extended  the  fraternal  greetings  of  Oneida.  His  speech  was  full 
of  interest  and  thrilling  reminiscences.  Hymn  707,  ''And  are  we 
yet  alive,"  was  then  sung  as  many  persons  present  had  never 
heard  it  sung  before,  after  which  the  venerable  Rev.  George 
Harmon  led  in  fervent  prayer.  Bishop  Thomson,  who  was  pre- 
siding over  Wyoming  Conference,  responded  to  the  address  of 
Dr.  Comfort,  by  invitation  of  Wyoming  Conference.  His  address 
was  characterized  as  inimitably  happy  and  impressive.  Dr. 
George  Peck  had  been  invited  by  his  Conference  the  year  previous 
to  preach  a  semicentennial  sermon.  By  arrangement  of  the  com- 
mittee in  charge  of  the  reunion  he  delivered  the  sermon  at  this 
time.  His  theme  was  "The  Past  and  the  Present,"  taking  for  his 
text  Eccles.  vii,  10,  "Say  not  thou,  What  is  the  cause  that  the 
former  days  were  better  than  these?  for  thou  dost  not  inquire 
wisely  concerning  this."  The  sermon  was  characteristically  able, 
and  was  listened  to  with  profound  attention.  Printed  copies  of 
the  discourse  were  distributed  to  the  audience.  The  Centenary 
Hymn,  composed  by  Rev.  L.  Hartsough,  of  the  Oneida  Confer- 
ence, was  then  sung  and  the  benediction  pronounced  by  Bishop 
Thomson.  In  the  afternoon  the  two  Conferences  united  in  a  love 
feast  of  "unparalleled  interest."  The  Wyoming  men  were  so  de- 
lighted with  the  reunion  that  they  passed  appreciative  resolutions 
and  suggested  a  return  visit  in  the  near  future.   In  1867  the  Con- 


10 


Wyoming  Conference 


ference  invited  the  Oneida  Conference  to  make  us  a  visit  at  its 
next  session,  which  was  to  be  held  in  Binghamton.  They  repHed, 
"We  cannot  arrange  for  the  visit  next  year,  but  will  be  happy  to 
make  it  two  years  hence,"  little  thinking  that  when  the  time  sug- 
gested should  arrive  many  of  them  would  come  to  stay. 

The  General  Conference  of  1868  provided  for  the  changing  of 
several  Conference  boundaries,  among  which  was  the  putting  of 
Chenango  and  Otsego  Districts,  of  the  Oneida  Conference,  into 
the  Wyoming  Conference.  Accordingly,  in  1869  we  find  these 
two  districts  a  part  of  Wyoming  Conference.  At  the  opening 
session  of  the  Conference  of  1869  resolutions  were  passed  assur- 
ing the  members  from  Oneida  a  hearty  welcome.  Subsequently 
the  members  on  the  two  districts,  appreciating  their  cordial  recep- 
tion, passed  resolutions  to  that  effect  and  printed  them  in  the 
Northern  Christian  Advocate. 

The  districts  of  the  Conference  as  they  now  are  have  been 
modified  but  slightly,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  changes  noted 
above,  for  many  years.  We  give  the  list  of  elders  on  each  district 
since  organization : 

Binghamton  District. — We  insert  here  the  list  of  elders  on  the 
Susquehanna  District:  (In  the  Genesee  Conference)  1821-22, 
George  Lane;  1823,  Fitch  Reed;  1824-25,  George  Peck;  1826-29, 
Horace  Agard  (1829,  in  Oneida  Conference)  ;  1830,  Elias  Brown; 
1831-33,  Horace  Agard;  1834-35,  George  Lane;  1836-38,  J.  M. 
Snyder;  1839,  George  Peck;  1840-42,  David  Holmes,  Jr.;  1843-46, 
J.  M.  Snyder;  1847-49,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1850,  Fitch  Reed;  1851, 
Z.  Paddock.  Binghamton  District:  1852-54,  Z.  Paddock;  1855, 
George  Peck,  1856-59,  N.  Rounds;  1860-63,  King  Elwell ;  1864- 
67,  Z.  Paddock;  1868-71,  D.  W.  Bristol;  1872-75,  H.  R.  Clarke; 
1876-79,  William  Bixby;  1880-83,  J.  G.  Eckman ;  1884-87,  W.  H. 
Olin;  1888-93,  Thomas  Harroun ;  1894-95,  J.  O.  Woodruff; 
1896-1901,  L.  C.  Floyd;  1902-03,  J.  B.  Sweet. 

Chenango  District. —  (In  the  Genesee  Conference)  1821, 
Charles  Giles;  1822-24,  George  Gary;  1825,  Glezen  Filmore; 
1826-27,  George  Gary;  1828-31,  George  Harmon  (1829,  in 
Oneida  Conference);  1832-35,  Andrew  Peck;  1836-39,  D.  A. 
Shepard;  1840-43,  Nelson  Rounds;  1844-45,  Lyman  A.  Eddy; 
1846-49,  Selah  Stocking;  1850-53,  William  Reddy;  1854-57, 
William  Bixby;  1858-61,  D.  A.  Whedon ;  1862-64,  W.  H.  Olin; 
1865-68,  W.  N.  Cobb;  (in  Wyoming  Conference)  1869-72,  Thom- 
as Harroun;  1873-76,  J.  G.  Eckman;  1877-80,  L:  C.  Floyd;  1881- 
84,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1885-90,  J.  C.  Leacock;  1891-96,  H.  M.  Cry- 
denwise;  1897,  H.  C.  McDermott;  1898-1903,  C.  H.  Hayes. 


Appointees  to  Districts 


II 


Honesdale  District. — 1852-55,  N.  Rounds;  1856-57,  C.  W.  Gid- 
dings;  1858-61,  W.  Wyatt;  1862-64,  J.  J.  Pearce;  1865-68,  J.  K. 
Peck;  1869-70,  W.  Bixby ;  1871-74,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1875-78, 
L.  W.  Peck;  1879-82,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft;  1883-86,  W.  M.  Hiller; 
1887-92,  J.  B.  Sumner;  1893-98,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1899-1903,  J.  F. 
Warner. 

Oneonta  District. — From  the  time  of  formation  until  1888  this 
district  was  known  as  Otsego  District.  At  the  Conference  held  in 
Oneonta  in  1888  Bishop  Walden  gave  the  name  of  Oneonta  to 
the  district.  While  no  one  objected  to  the  new  name,  many 
lamented  that  the  historic  Otsego  should  pass  from  our  Minutes. 
(In  Oneida  Conference)  1846-49,  Lyman  Sperry;  1850-53,  Isaac 
Parks;  1854-57,  A.  J.  Dana;  1858-60,  J.  Shank;  1861-64,  J.  T. 
Wright;  1865-68,  William  Bixby;  (in  Wyoming  Conference) 
1869-72,  W.  N.  Cobb;  1873-75,  H.  Wheeler;  1876-79,  H.  R. 
Clarke;  1880-83,  F.  L.  Hiller;  1884-87,  J.  N.  Lee;  i888-89>^, 
W.  H.  OHn;  i889>4-9i>4,  T.  P.  Halstead;  i89i>4-96,  A.  J.  Van 
Cleft;  1897-98^^,  A.  Griffin;  18981^-1903,  T.  F.  Hall. 

O-djego  District. — As  Berkshire  District,  in  Oneida  Conference, 
1831-33,  Elias  Bo  wen;  1834-37,  H.  Agard ;  1838,  Joseph  Castle; 
1839-42,  George  Harmon;  name  changed  to  Owego,  1843-45, 
V.  M.  Coryell;  name  changed  to  Newark,  1846,  V.  M.  Coryell; 
1847-50,  J.  M.  Snyder;  1851,  Fitch  Reed;  name  changed  to 
Owego  in  the  Wyoming  Conference,  1852-55,  W.  H.  Pearne ; 
1856-58,  Z.  Paddock;  1859-61,  J.  J.  Pearce;  1862,  D.  A.  Shepard; 
1863-66,  G.  P.  Porter;  1867-70,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1871-74,  D.  D. 
Lindsley;  1875-78,  S.  F.  Brown;  1879-82,  Y.  C.  Smith;  1883-86, 
H.  M.  Crydenwise;  1887-88,  S.  Moore;  1889-94,  W.  Treible; 
1895-1900,  George  Forsyth;  1901-03,  H.  H.  Dresser. 

Wyoming  District. — In  Oneida  Conference  until  1852,  when 
Wyoming  Conference  was  organized.  1843-45,  Silas  Comfort; 
1846-49,  William  Reddy;  1850-53,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1854,  George 
Peck;  1855-57,  W.  Wyatt;  1858-61,  George  Peck;  1862-63,  R. 
Nelson;  1864-66,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1867,  G.  P.  Porter;  1868,  R. 
Nelson;  1869-72,  George  Peck;  1873-76,  G.  R.  Hair;  1877-80, 
W.  H.  Olin;  1881-84,  A.  Griffin;  1885-90,  R.  W.  Van  Schoick; 
1891-92,  M.  S.  Hard;  1893-98^4,  J.  G.  Eckman;  i898>4-i903, 
A.  Griffin. 


12 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  II 
EARI.Y  CIRCUITS 

Wyoming  Circuit 

Methodism  early  took  root  in  Wyoming  Valley.  Its  planting, 
however,  was  not  by  the  work  of  a  missionary  or  itinerant 
preacher,  but  by  the  consecrated  labors  of  a  layman,  and  he  a 
blacksmith. 

Anning  Owen  came  to  Wyoming  from  New  England.  ''He 
was  one  of  the  handful  of  courageous  men  who  were  defeated  and 
scattered  by  an  overwhelming  force  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  John  Butler.  In  the  battle  he  was  by  the  side  of  his 
brother-in-law,  Benjamin  Carpenter.  He  stood  the  fire  of  the 
enemy,  and  answered  it,  shot  after  shot,  in  such  quick  succession 
that  the  barrel  of  his  gun  became  burning  hot.  'My  gun  is  so  hot 
^.hat  I  cannot  hold  it!'  exclaimed  the  brave  patriot  soldier.  'Do 
the  best  you  can,  then,'  was  the  reply  of  his  friend.  A  shot  or 
two  more  and  the  day  was  lost.  Owen  and  Carpenter  fled  to  the 
river,  and  secreted  themselves  under  cover  of  a  large  grapevine 
which  hung  from  the  branches  of  a  tree  and  lay  in  the  water. 
Roger  Searl,  a  lad,  followed  them,  and  the  three  lay  in  safety  until 
the  darkness  of  the  night  enabled  them  to  gain  the  fort.  They 
were  a  portion  of  the  small  number  who  escaped  with  their  lives 
from  the  bloody  encounter  without  swimming  the  river.  The 
place  of  their  concealment  was  near  the  mouth  of  Shoemaker's 
Creek.  While  there  fearful  sights  of  barbarous  cruelty  in  the 
river  above  pained  their  eyes  and  stung  their  souls  to  agony. 
They  saw  through  the  leaves  Windecker,  the  Tory,  tomahawk 
Shoemaker  and  set  his  body  afloat,  and  the  mangled  corpse  of 
their  friend  and  neighbor  passed  quietly  by  them,  carried  slowly 
down  into  the  eddy  l)y  the  current. 

"In  the  account  which  ]\Ir.  Owen  often  subsequently  gave  of  his 
escape  he  stated  that,  when  upon  the  run,  he  expected  every  mo- 
ment to  be  shot  or  tomahawked,  and  the  terrible  thought  of  being 
sent  into  eternity  unprepared  filled  his  soul  with  horror.  He  then 
resolved  if  he  should  be  killed  that  he  would  fall  on  his  face  and 
spend  his  last  breath  in  prayer  to  God  for  mercy.  He  prayed  as 
he  ran,  and  when  he  lay  in  the  water  his  every  breath  was  occu- 
pied with  the  silent  but  earnest  prayer,  'God  have  mercy  on  my 


Anning  Owen 


13 


soul !'  There  and  then  it  was  that  he  gave  his  heart  to  God, 
and  vowed  to  be  his  forever.  He  was  spared,  and  did  not, 
as  thousands  do,  forget  the  vows  he  made  in  the  hour  of 
his  distress. 

'*Mr.  Owen  returned  to  the  East  with  the  fugitives,  but  he  was 
a  changed  man.  He  considered  his  dehverance  from  death  as 
Httle  short  of  a  miracle,  and  that  in  it  there  was  a  wise  and 
gracious  design,  which  had  reference  to  his  eternal  well-being. 
He  was  now  a  man  of  prayer,  possessed  a  tender  conscience,  and 
indulged  a  trembling  hope  in  Christ. 

'Tn  this  condition  Mr.  Owen  became  acquainted  with  the 
Methodists.  Their  earnest  and  powerful  preaching,  and  the  doc- 
trines which  they  taught,  met  in  his  heart  a  ready  response.  He 
was  of  an  ardent  temperament,  and  was  never  in  favor  of  half- 
way measures  in  anything.  He  soon  drank  in  the  spirit  of  the 
early  Methodists,  and  was  as  full  of  enthusiasm  as  any  of  them. 
His  religious  experience  became  more  deep  and  thorough,  and  his 
evidence  of  sins  forgiven  more  clear  and  satisfactory.  He  now 
rejoiced -greatly  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  had  made  him 
free,  and  panted  to  be  useful. 

*Tn  this  state  of  mind  Mr.  Owen  returned  to  Wyoming  and 
settled  among  his  old  companions  in  tribulation.  He  was  a  black- 
smith, and  he  commenced,  as  he  supposed,  hammering  out  his 
fortune  between  Kingston  village  and  Forty  Fort,  at  the  point 
where  the  highway  crosses  Toby's  Creek.  There  still  stands  the 
humble  frame  house  which  he  built,  and  which  his  family  occupied 
for  many  years.    [Written  by  Dr.  Peck  about  i860.] 

**Mr.  Owen  had  no  sooner  become  settled  in  Wyoming  than  he 
commenced  conversation  with  his  neighbors  upon  the  subject  of 
religion,  and  began  with  many  tears  to  tell  them  what  great 
things  God  had  done  for  his  soul.  His  words  were  as  coals  of 
fire  upon  the  heads  and  hearts  of  those  he  addressed,  and  he  soon 
found  a  deep  sympathy  with  his  ideas  and  feelings  was  abroad 
and  rapidly  extending.  He  appointed  prayer  meetings  in  his  own 
house.  The  people  were  melted  down  under  his  prayers,  his  ex- 
hortations, and  singing.  He  was  invited  to  appoint  meetings  at 
other  places  in  the  neighborhood,  and  he  listened  to  the  call.  A 
revival  of  religion  broke  out  at  Ross  Hill,  about  a  mile  from  his 
residence,  and  just  across  the  line  which  separates  the  townships 
of  Kingston  and  Plymouth.  Great  power  attended  the  simple, 
earnest  efforts  of  the  blacksmith,  and  souls  were  converted  to 
God.  He  studied  the  openings  of  Providence,  and  tried  in  all 
things  to  follow  the  divine  light.   He  was  regarded  by  the  young 


14 


Wyoming  Conference 


converts  as  their  spiritual  father,  and  to  him  they  looked  for  ad- 
vice and  comfort. 

"Mr.  Owen,  now  considering  himself  providentially  called  upon 
to  provide,  at  least  temporarily,  for  the  spiritual  wants  of  his 
flock,  formed  them  into  a  class.  Most  of  the  members  of  the 
little  band  residing  in  the  neighborhood  of  Ross  Hill,  that  point 
became  the  center  of  operations.  This  class  was  called  the  Ross 
Hill  class  until  the  old  order  of  things  passed  away." 

This  class  was  organized  in  1788,  and  the  following  were  its 
members :  Anning  Owen  and  wife,  Mr.  Gray  and  wife,  Abram 
Adams,  Stephen  Baker  and  wife,  Mrs.  Wooley  and  Nancy 
Wooley.  Subsequently  Mrs.  Ruth  Pierce,  Alice  and  Hannah 
Pierce,  Samuel  Carver  and  his  father,  Joseph  Brown,  Captain 
Ebenezer  Parish  and  wife,  and  Darius  Williams  and  wife  were 
added  to  the  class. 

Mrs.  Deborah  Bedford,  a  veritable  "mother  in  Israel,"  has 
given  the  above  list.  She  joined  the  class  in  the  fall  of  1788,  but 
the  class  was  formed  in  the  spring. 

After  a  season  Mr.  Owen  became  convinced  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  devote  his  whole  time  to  the  ministry. 

In  due  time  he  became  a  local  preacher,  and  was  ordained 
deacon  before  he  commenced  traveling.  He  was  admitted  to 
Conference  on  trial  in  1795,  and  in  1797  received  elder's  orders. 
In  1796-97  he  traveled  Seneca  Circuit;  1798,  Albany  Circuit; 
1799,  Flanders  Circuit,  in  New  Jersey;  1800,  Bristol  Circuit,  near 
Philadelphia;  1801,  Wyoming  Circuit;  1802,  Northumberland; 
1803,  Strasburg  and  Chester,  in  Delaware;  1804,  Dauphin 
Circuit,  near  Harrisburg;  1805-07,  presiding  elder  of  Susque- 
hanna District;  1808,  Lycoming  Circuit;  1809,  Canaan  Circuit. 
"All  this  time  Mr.  Owen's  family  had  lived  in  a  comparatively 
comfortable  little  house,  which  he  built  himself,  still  standing  in 
Kingston  (i860),  where  industry  and  economy  presided.  Mrs. 
Owen,  a  neat  little  body,  and  her  daughters  took  in  w^ork  when 
they  could  get  it,  and  earned  a  great  part  of  their  living.  .  .  . 
She  w^ore  a  plain,  clean  dress,  a  check  apron,  a  white  neckerchief, 
and  a  strap  cap,  all  beautifully  clean  and  smoothly  ironed.  Her 
conversation  and  manners  were  plain,  simple,  modest,  and  pious. 
Such  was  the  woman  that  Mr.  Owen  felt  himself  called  to  leave  in 
charge  of  his  afifairs  for  weeks  and  months  together,  with  the 
privilege  of  earning  much  of  her  own  living  and  providing  for 
and  directing  her  children." 

In  1810  Mr.  Owen  was  sent  to  the  Cayuga  Circuit,  where  he 
now  moved  his  family.   In  181 1  he  was  on  Seneca  Circuit;  1812, 


Anning  Owen 


15 


New  Amsterdam,  a  portion  of  the  old  Holland  Purchase  mission. 
In  1813,  "in  consequence  of  bodily  debility,"  he  took  a  superan- 
nuated relation,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Ulysses,  Cayuga  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  April,  1814,  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age. 

We  ought  not  to  dismiss  this  character  without  further  com- 
ment, he  is  so  important  a  personage  in  connection  with  our 
history. 

He  is  described  as  being  *'a  little  above  the  ordinary  size," 
having  **a  dark  complexion,  piercing  eye,  athletic  in  appearance, 
and  in  fact  possessed  of  a  constitution  capable  of  great  endur- 
ance." "Physically  and  intellectually,  he  was  by  natural  consti- 
tution just  the  man  for  a  Methodist  preacher  in  the  day  in  which 
he  lived." 

Rev.  David  Holmes  said  of  him:  "His  literary  acquirements 
were  small.  Unblest  with  early  advantages,  and  having  com- 
menced his  ministry  at  an  advanced  period  of  life,  it  could  not  be 
expected  he  would  distinguish  himself  in  the  departments  of 
science.  Besides  this,  the  nature  of  the  work  in  those  days  threw 
almost  insuperable  difficulties  in  the  way  of  this  kind  of  improve- 
ment. The  circuits  were  often  hundreds  of  miles  in  extent  and 
the  roads  almost  impassable ;  the  rides  were  long,  and  nearly  every 
day  in  the  week  filled  with  an  appointment.  Under  these  circum- 
stances the  acquisition  of  literature  was  scarcely  to  be  thought  of ; 
and  yet  such  a  man  as  Owen  could  never  be  at  a  loss  for  adequate 
means  of  communication  with  the  people.  He  regarded  the 
Gospel  as  perfect  in  itself,  not  needing  the  embellishments  of 
rhetoric  or  the  tinsel  of  human  learning  to  make  it  efficacious; 
and  if  he  might  not  draw  materials  from  scientific  sources,  yet  he 
had  a  resort  which  never  failed  him,  namely,  the  Bible,  common 
sense,  and  a  knowledge  of  human  nature.  His  figures  were 
natural,  not  fantastic;  not  the  unreal  creations  of  a  wild  and  un- 
chained imagination,  but  chosen  from  real  life,  and  adapted  to 
impress  the  mind  of  every  grade  of  hearers.  His  speech  was  not 
with  'enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of 
the  Spirit  and  with  power.'  " 

Note  the  following  quotations  concerning  him :  "The  zeal  of 
Owen  was  limited  only  by  his  ability."  "A  man  of  mighty  faith 
and  persevering  prayer."  "A  zealous,  good  man,  very  eccentric, 
and  at  times  quite  eloquent."  "Seemed  in  his  element  when  he 
was  debating  the  doctrine  of  unconditional  election  and  reproba- 
tion." "A  shrewd  man,  and  sometimes  quite  witty."  "Sometimes 
made  chance  shots  which  did  great  execution."  "Always  ex- 
pected conversions  at  his  quarterly  meetings."   "He  labored  with 


i6 


Wyoming  Conference 


all  his  might.  He  had  a  great  voice  and  did  not  spare  it.  He 
thundered  forth  the  terrors  of  the  law  in  such  tremendous  tones, 
and  prayed  with  such  energy  and  power,  that  he  was  often  caUed 
'bawling  Owen.'  It  was  not  all  voice,  however.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  religious  sympathy,  and  of  mighty  faith.  Under  his 
preaching  sinners  trembled,  and  sometimes  fell  to  the  ground  like 
dead  men." 

In  1 79 1  Wyoming  appears  among  the  appointments  in  the 
Minutes  with  James  CampbeU  as  preacher  in  charge,  Robert 
Cloud  presiding  elder.  His  district  embraced  Long  Island,  New 
Rochelle,  Newburgh,  New  York,  and  Wyoming.  - 

Mr.  Campbell  was  not  the  first  itinerant  preacher  to  visit  this 
section,  however.  In  1789  Rev.  Nathaniel  B.  Mills,  who  was 
traveling  the  Newburgh  Circuit,  made  a  visit  to  this  field  and 
preached  several  times.  The  following  year  Rev.  Joseph  Lovell, 
who  was  on  the  Newburgh  Circuit,  visited  this  section,  and 
preached  a  few  times.  At  the  time  Mr.  Campbell  took  charge  of 
the  circuit  there  were  one  hundred  members,  about  one  half  of 
whom  were  in  the  Ross  Hill  class. 

In  1792  William  Hardesty  is  on  the  circuit,  but  no  record  re- 
mains of  his  work. 

In  1793  William  Colbert  and  Anthony  Turk  are  appointed  to 
the  circuit.  Mr.  Colbert  was  one  of  the  very  few  men  who  kept  a 
diary  of  his  doings.  His  journal  is  not  only  interesting  as  a  relic, 
but  of  untold  value  historically.  This  journal  is  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  Historical  Society  of  Philadelphia  Conference.  One 
interested  in  the  early  days  of  Methodism  can  but  mourn  the  fact 
that  so  few  such  journals  exist. 

Monday,  April  15,  1793  Mr.  Colbert  with  Rev.  Thomas  Ware, 
who  had  been  acting  in  the  capacity  of  ''elder"  in  some  parts  of 
Tioga,  took  a  boat  at  New  Sheshequin  and  started  down  the  river. 
They  stopped  at  a  cabin  on  the  river's  side.  They  could  find  no 
straw  to  sleep  on.  Mr.  Ware  fixed  himself  on  a  chest  with  a 
bunch  of  tow  for  a  pillow,  while  Mr.  Colbert  got  some  hay  out  of 
the  boat  for  a  bed.  They  landed  in  Wilkes-Barre  on  the  i6th, 
about  noon,  dined  at  a  Mr.  Mann's,  and  then  rode  to  Richard 
Inman's.  Mr.  Colbert  had  been  on  the  Tioga  Circuit  four  months 
and  eight  days.  On  the  17th  Mr.  Ware  took  his  departure.  On 
the  20th  Mr.  Colbert  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age.  He  seemed 
to  be  very  anxious  to  spend  the  balance  of  his  days  in  God's 
service.  Needing  his  boots  repaired,  he  took  them  to  the  prison, 
under  the  courthouse,  and  secured  the  services  of  a  prisoner  to  do 
his  work,  as  there  was  no  shoemaker  in  town.    He  paid  him 


William  Colbert 


17 


double  what  he  asked  for  mending  them,  as  he  was  a  poor 
prisoner.  On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  which  was  Sunday,  the 
prison  was  found  evacuated,  and  Mr.  Colbert  found  only  one  of 
his  boots  mended — the  prisoner  not  having  had  time  to  finish  his 
job  before  leaving.  He  preached  in  the  courthouse  in  the  morning 
from  Mark  vi,  12,  and  in  the  evening  from  2  Cor.  xiii,  5.  On  the 
26th  he  visited  Mr.  Owen's,  and,  on  the  27th  he  went  to  Philip 
Jackson's,  whose  wife  was  a  member  of  the  society;  he  himself 
had  been  once.  He  lived  on  what  has  since  been  called  the 
Fisher  Gay  place.  The  monument  stands  on  a  part  of  this  place. 
On  Sunday,  the  28th,  he  preached  at  Rosencrantz's  on  Matt,  vii, 
21-23;  the  afternoon,  at  Captain  Parish's.  Rosencrantz  lived 
where  "the  old  red  house,"  or  "Captain  Breese's"  house,  stood  in 
i860,  on  the  bluff  near  the  Wyoming  depot.  Captain  Parish  lived 
on  Ross  Hill.  In  the  evening  he  preached  at  Captain  Ransom's,  in 
Shawney.  On  Wednesday,  May  8,  he  went  to  Lackawanna  Forge 
and  preached  at  a  James  Sutton's,  from  i  Cor.  vi,  19,  20.  Mr. 
Sutton  was  not  a  member  of  the  society,  but  was  a  man  of  very 
excellent  spirit.  On  the  following  Sabbath  his  appointments  were 
Rosencrantz's,  Captain  Parish's,  and  Shawney.  From  there  he 
went  to  Briar  Creek  and  was  pleasantly  entertained  by  Thomas 
Bowman.  Thomas  and  his  brother  Christian  were  both  local 
preachers,  and  did  what  they  could  in  many  ways  to  aid  the  work 
of  Methodism.  Thursday  he  went  to  Park's  in  Salem  (near 
Berwick).  Sunday,  19th,  he  preached  in  the  meetinghouse  at 
Hanover  Green,  and  in  the  afternoon  at  Wilkes-Barre.  The  meet- 
inghouse here  referred  to  was  never  finished,  but  was  used. 
Bishop  Asbury  preached  in  it  when  he  visited  Wyoming.  It  was 
regularly  occupied  as  a  place  of  worship.  Mr.  Colbert  next  went 
to  Capouse  and  "preached  to  a  few  people  at  Brother  How's,"  met 
the  class,  and  lodged  at  Joseph  Waller's. 

In  June  of  this  year  Mr.  Colbert  is  called  upon  to  add  to  the 
work  of  Wyoming  Circuit  the  work  of  the  Northumberland  Cir- 
cuit. This  circuit  contained  "the  whole  country  from  the  Susque- 
hanna to  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  including  the  Bald  Eagle  and 
Juniata  Countries,  Penn's  Valley,  Buffalo  Valley,  and  the  settle- 
ments on  the  West  Branch,  penetrating  in  the  wilderness  as  far 
north  as  Loyalsock."  For  this  toilsome  work,  which  was  faith- 
fully performed,  he  received  his  subsistence. 

In  1793  Methodism  of  this  section  was  gladdened  by  a  visit 
from  Bishop  Asbury.   He  made  the  visit  while  on  his  way  from 
Maryland  to  New  York  in  the  latter  part  of  June  and  the  fore 
part  of  July.   The  following  is  from  the  bishop's  journal : 
2 


i8 


Wyoming  Conference 


"Thursday,  [June]  27th,  was  to  me  a  day  of  trial.  We  set  out 
late  toward  Northumberland;  night  coming  on,  we  stopped  at 
Penn's  Creek.  Next  morning  we  went  to  Northumberland  to 
breakfast.  It  has  a  little  chapel,  that  serves  as  a  schoolhouse, 
belonging  to  the  Methodists.  We  have  a  few  kind,  respectable 
friends,  whose  circumstances  are  comfortable.  I  gave  them  a 
sermon  on  John  xiv,  6,  and  in  the  afternoon  paid  Sunbury  a  visit. 
The  people  here  are  almost  all  Dutch.  I  was  enabled  to  speak 
alarming  words  on  Acts  iv,  12. 

''July  2.  After  preaching  on  'The  Grace  of  God  Appearing  to 
All  Men'  we  wrought  up  the  hills  and  narrows  to  Wyoming.  We 
stopped  at  a  poor  house;  nevertheless  they  were  rich  enough  to 
sell  us  half  a  bushel  of  oats,  and  had  sense  enough  to  make  us  pay 

well  for  them.   We  reached  Mr.  P  's  about  eleven  o'clock.  I 

found  riding  in  the  night  caused  a  return  of  my  rheumatic  com- 
plaint through  my  breast  and  shoulders.  But  all  is  well ;  the  Lord 
is  with  us. 

"Thursday,  4,  being  the  anniversary  of  American  independence, 
there  was  a  great  noise  among  the  sinners.  A  few  of  us  went 
down  to  Shawney,  called  a  few  people  from  their  work,  and  found 
it  good  for  us  to  be  there. 

"Sunday,  7.  The  Lord  has  spoken  in  awful  peals  of  thunder. 
O  what  havoc  was  made  here  fifteen  years  ago !  Most  of  the  in- 
habitants were  either  cut  off  or  driven  away.  The  people  might 
have  clothed  themselves  in  sackcloth  and  ashes  on  the  third,  if  in 
white  and  glory  on  the  fourth  of  July.  The  inhabitants  here  are 
very  wicked;  but  I  feel  as  if  the  Lord  would  return.  I  hope 
Brothers  F.,  L,  and  P.  [probably  Frisby,  Inman,  and  Parish] 
will  be  owned  of  the  Lord.  The  man  at  whose  house  I  was  to 
preach  made  a  froHc  the  day  before;  it  was  said  he  sent  a  mile 
across  the  river  to  one  of  his  neighbors,  taking  him  from  his  work, 
and  telling  him  he  was  about  to  bleed  to  death.  This  falsity  was 
invented,  I  suppose,  to  incline  the  man  to  come.  The  people 
would  not  come  to  his  house;  I  had  to  walk  a  mile  through 
burning  heat  to  preach.  [This  was  from  Richard  Inman's  in 
Buttonwood  to  the  meetinghouse  on  Hanover  Green.]  I  was 
severely  exercised  in  mind,  hardly  knowing  where  to  go  to  get  a 
quiet,  clean  place  to  lie  down. 

"Monday,  8.  I  took  the  wilderness,  through  the  mountains, 
up  the  Lackawanna,  on  the  Twelve  Mile  Swamp;  this  place  is 
famous  for  dirt  and  lofty  hemlock.  We  lodged  in  the  middle  of 
the  swamp,  at  S  's,  and  made  out  better  than  we  expected." 

Mr.  Colbert  met  Bishop  Asbury  at  Northumberland,  being 


Bishop  Asbury 


19 


greatly  impressed  by  his  agreeable  manners.  He  went  with  the 
bishop,  showing  him  the  way,  to  Joseph  Ogden's,  on  Fishing 
Creek.  From  here  they  went  to  Berwick,  where  they  called  upon 
and  prayed  with  "old  Mother  Salmons."  At  this  town  the  bishop 
preached  to  a  considerable  congregation  at  Isaac  Hall's.  After 
this  they  journeyed  to  Captain  Parish's,  at  Ross  Hill.  On  July 
5  they  went  to  Captain  Satterthwaite's  where  Mr.  Colbert  ex- 
pected the  bishop  to  preach,  but  was  disappointed,  as  the  peo- 
ple would  not  gather  there  on  account  of  the  revelry  there  on 
the  previous  day.  The  people  met  at  Rosencrantz's.  The  cap- 
tain would  not  attend,  being  offended.  On  the  6th  they  went 
to  Wilkes-Barre,  where  the  bishop  preached  to  a  small  congrega- 
tion in  the  courthouse.  They  went  home  with  Richard  Inman. 
On  Sunday,  the  7th,  services  were  held  as  follows :  At  the  meet- 
inghouse (?)  Mr.  Colbert  sang,  prayed,  and  read  the  first  lesson 
for  the  day;  Rev.  Henry  Hill,  who  apparently  was  with  them 
from  Northumberland  until  now,  sang,  prayed,  and  read  the 
second  lesson,  after  which  the  bishop  preached  and  was  followed 
in  exhortation  by  Mr.  Colbert  and  Mr.  Hill.  In  the  afternoon 
the  bishop  and  Mr.  Hill  preached  in  the  courthouse  at  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

The  visit  of  Bishop  Asbury  to  this  section  proved  of  great 
value  to  the  work.  It  gave  the  bishop  a  better  idea  of  the  grade 
of  talent  needed  for  this  field  and  of  the  needed  readjustment  of 
the  work.  At  the  following  Conference,  which  was  held  in  Bal- 
timore in  October  a  new  district  was  formed,  consisting  of  but 
four  circuits,  Northumberland,  Tioga,  Wyoming,  and  Seneca 
Lake,  with  Valentine  Cook  as  presiding  elder.  Mr.  Cook  was 
eminently  fitted  for  the  work. 

On  July  20  and  21  a  quarterly  meeting  was  held  at  Nanticoke. 
On  the  20th  James  Campbell  preached  and  exhortations  were 
made  by  Anning  Owen  and  William  Colbert.  In  the  evening 
Owen  preached,  prayei-s  followed,  "and  the  windows  of  heaven 
were  opened."  These  meetings  were  at  Aaron  Hunt's.  A  Pres- 
byterian by  the  name  of  Moore,  who  had  traveled  some  thirty 
miles  from  up  the  river  to  be  present,  "was  in  raptures  of  joy, 
seeing  so  many  people  engaged  with  God."  The  21st  was  Sunday, 
and  the  services  were  held  in  Widow  Bidlack's  barn.  After  love 
feast  James  Campbell  preached,  Anning  Owen  exhorted,  and  then 
William  Colbert  preached.  After  this  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  administered.  This  was  the  first  administered 
by  Mr.  Colbert. 

Dr.  Peck  says:  "Barns,  for  many  years  after  this,  were  com- 


20 


Wyoming  Conference 


men  places  for  the  holding  of  quarterly  meetings.  Many  a  barn, 
like  that  of  Widow  Bidlack  in  the  case  above  referred  to,  has 
been  sanctified  by  the  presence  and  power  of  God,  and  been  the 
spiritual  birthplace  of  precious  souls.  Quarterly  meetings  were 
just  beginning  to  be  great  occasions  in  the  interior,  and  to  exert 
a  great  influence  on  the  public  mind.  The  people  came  from  far 
to  attend  them,  and  returned  home  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of 
faith.  The  one  noticed  by  Mr.  Colbert  was  one  of  a  series  of 
these  means  of  grace,  which,  within  the  course  of  a  few  years, 
were  largely  concerned  in  the  permanent  establishment  of  Meth- 
odism in  Wyoming  and  its  surroundings." 

On  Sunday,  August  ii,  Mr.  Colbert  preached  at  Aaron  Hunt's, 
and  in  the  afternoon  in  the  courthouse  at  Wilkes-Barre.  Took  a 
collection  which  amounted  to  13^.  ^d. 

In  December  Mr.  Colbert  was  at  Stephen  Baker's,  in  Kingston, 
where  he  preached,  and  Mr.  Turk,  his  colleague,  formed  four 
bands.  Baker  lived  on  the  old  road  between  Forty  Fort  and 
Wilkes-Barre,  on  what  was  afterward  known  as  the  Church 
place.  This  was  for  many  years  a  great  stopping  place  for  the 
itinerants,  and  frequently  services  were  held  there. 

Rev.  Anthony  Turk,  who  labored  this  year  on  the  circuit  with 
Mr.  Colbert,  was  really  a  character.  Familiarly  called  ''Daddy 
Turk,"  a  plain,  rough  man,  very  demonstrative  in  preaching,  an 
indefatigable  worker,  holy  and  devout,  greatly  loved  by  the 
people,  his  name  was  held  in  reverence  by  old  Methodists  for 
many  years.   He  died  in  Freehold  Circuit,  N.  J.,  March  13,  1803. 

Tames  Paynter  was  on  the  circuit  in  1794.  Little  is  known  of 
him.  He  was  called  a  good  preacher,  and  a  useful  one,  a  man  of 
few  words  and  exceedingly  grave. 

The  year  1795  seems  to  have  been  a  thrifty  year  for  the  circuit. 
This  was  the  last  year  of  Valentine  Cook's  service  on  the  Susque- 
hanna District.  Alward  White  was  on  Wyoming  Circuit,  and 
there  is  some  evidence  that  Rev.  Joseph  Jewell,  who  was  received 
on  trial  in  1795,  also  worked  on  this  circuit.  Two  notable 
quarterly  meetings  were  held  on  the  circuit  this  year,  one  at 
Amos  Park's  in  Salem  (near  Berwick),  and  the  other  in  the 
upper  part  of  Kingston,  at  Philip  Jackson's,  who  lived  on  what 
was  afterward  known  as  the  Fisher  Gay  place.  "The  Quarterly 
Conference  was  held  upstairs.  We  heard  them  shouting  and 
praising  the  Lord.  My  mother,  Betsy  Dennison,  Polly  Dennison, 
Clara  Pierce,  Polly  Pierce,  and  myself  went  into  an  adjoining 
room  and  looked  in,  when  we  saw  them  all  lying  on  the  floor. 
The  one  near  the  door  said,  'Sisters,  come  in.'   We  went  into  the 


Quarterly  Conferences 


21 


room,  and  as  soon  as  we  entered  the  place  we  all  fell,  so 
wonderoiisly  was  the  power  of  God  manifested  on  that  occasion. 
James  Carpenter,  who  was  not  then  a  professor  of  religion,  came 
into  the  first  room,  and  we  asked  him  to  come  in,  but  he  would 
not.  He  told  us  afterward  that  he  did  not  dare  to  come  into  the 
room,  for  he  knew  that  if  he  had  stepped  over  the  threshold  of 
tht;  door  he  would  have  fallen. 

"The  next  morning  in  the  love  feast  it  seemed  as  if  all  the 
members,  both  preachers  and  people,  were  filled  with  the  love 
and  power  of  God.  After  love  feast  Elder  Cook  preached  a  most 
powerful  sermon,  and  Brother  White  gave  out  an  earnest  and 
moving  exhortation.  The  work  now  went  on  rapidly  and  spread 
far  and  wide." 

The  above  is  Mrs.  Bedford's  account  of  the  meeting  as  she 
gave  it  to  Dr.  Peck.  To  which  the  doctor  adds:  'Tn  those  days 
Quarterly  Conferences  were  not  mere  meetings  of  business,  but 
were  occasions  of  searching  examinations  and  fervent  prayer ;  and 
the  official  members  often  came  from  them,  like  Moses  from  the 
mount,  reflecting  the  divine  glory.  No  wonder  that  at  a  Quarterly 
Conference  where  all  were  overwhelmed  with  adoring  wonder 
the  work  of  God  should  receive  a  new  impulse." 

This  year  the  class  at  Wilkes-Barre  witnessed  a  great  revival, 
which  shook  the  foundations  of  infidelity,  entered  some  of  the 
leading  families  of  the  place,  and  added  many  to  the  Church. 

At  the  close  of  1796  the  Wyoming  Circuit  reported  221 
members. 

Roger  Benton  was  on  this  circuit  in  1797.  He  was  called  a 
modest,  meek,  consistent  man,  and  an  able  preacher. 

Just  here  appears  one  of  those  things  which  makes  one  feel  the 
uncertainty  of  historic  data.  According  to  the  pubHshed  Minutes, 
Mr.  Colbert  was  appointed  to  the  Chester  Circuit  for  1797.  But 
from  a  study  of  his  journal  it  is  found  that  he  spent  part  of  the 
year  on  Bristol  Circuit,  which  he  served  in  1796,  and  part  of  the 
year  labored  on  Wyoming  Circuit,  to  which  he  was  appointed  in 
1798.  But  this  does  not  tell  all  the  truth.  From  October,  1797, 
to  August,  1798,  he  traveled  the  Strasburg  Circuit. 

We  notice  his  stopping  places,  as  it  gives  an  idea  of  the  size  of 
the  circuit:  Benjamin  Reeder's,  in  Newport;  Elijah  Inman's,  in 
Buttonwood,  or  Hanover;  David  Taylor's,  in  Capouse,  or  Provi- 
dence ;  preached  at  Squire  Carpenter's  instead  of  Rosencrantz's, 
in  upper  Kingston ;  preached  at  Jesse  Gardener's,  on  the  Plains ; 
at  Eden  Rugger's,  in  Bedford;  at  William  George's,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre.    Here  he  was  entertained  at  Mrs.  Hollenback's,  Mr. 


22 


Wyoming  Conference 


George  being  a  poor  man.  At  Shawney  he  stopped  at  Samuel 
Holley's. 

This  year  Benjamin  Bidlack  and  Darius  WilHams  appeared  at 
the  quarterly  meetings  as  exhorters. 

In  1799  Wyoming  and  Northumberland  Circuits  were  united 
and  James  Moore,  Benjamin  Bidlack,  and  David  Stevens  ap- 
pointed to  serve  the  circuit. 

James  Moore  was  an  Irishman,  shrewd  and  a  good  preacher, 
"neat  in  his  dress  and  precise  in  his  manners."  He  was  somewhat 
annoyed  by  the  application  for  a  license  to  preach  by  Nathan 
Parish,  a  brother  of  the  captain.  Mr.  Moore  did  not  believe  that 
he  was  called  to  the  work,  but  at  last  proposed  that  he  should 
preach  a  trial  sermon.  Parish  assented  to  this.  When  the  hour 
arrived  on  which  the  sermon  was  to  be  preached  Mr.  Moore 
opened  the  service  with  prayer,  in  which  he  prayed  that  the 
preacher  might  be  confounded  by  God.  Parish  was  vanquished. 
He  could  do  nothing,  and  sat  down,  having  made  a  fizzle.  This 
ended  his  attempts  to  get  into  the  Methodist  ministry. 

During  this  year  a  class  was  formed  at  Charles  Harris's,  over 
the  Kingston  mountain.  Services,  however,  had  been  held  there 
before  this  by  a  local  preacher,  Gilbert  Carpenter. 

The  following  from  the  steward's  book,  probably  written  by 
Calvin  Wadhams,  is  of  intense  interest.  It  is  of  a  quarterly 
meeting  held  at  Ross  Hill,  March  26  and  27,  1803:  ''Stewards, 
Darius  Williams,  Calvin  Wadhams,  Solomon  Chapin."  Note  the 
following  credits:    Wilkes-Barre,  $2.93;  Plains,  $1.70;  Pittston. 

$0.50;  Providence,  $0.40;  Little  Beech  Woods.   ;  Great 

Beech  Woods,   ;    Stanton  Settlement,   ;  Tunkhannock 

Creek,  ;  Atherton's,  ;  Exeter,  $1.11  ;  Kingston,  $4,373^  ; 

Carver's,  $1.37!/^;  Ross  Hill,  $2.02;  Plymouth,  $2.50;  Briar 

Creek,  $0.50;  Salem,   ;  Newport,  $3.48;  Nanticoke,  $1.48; 

public  collections,  $10.46  and  $3.38.  Disbursements  are  as  fol- 
lows:  Ephraim  Chambers,  expenses,  $3;  quarterage,  $9.10; 
$1.13.  William  Brandon,  expenses,  $2.25;  quarterage,  $18.20; 
$2.25. 

Dr.  Peck  estimates  that  this  year  $169.45  was  the  amount  raised 
on  the  circuit  to  support  two  preachers  and  help  support  the  pre- 
siding elder,  and  to  pay  traveling  expenses. 

Big  Beech  Woods  was  the  Dutch  settlement  in  Canaan,  and 
Little  Beech  Woods  was  Springville  Hollow. 

In  1806  the  circuit  contained  eighteen  preaching  places,  twelve 
of  which  were  in  Wyoming  Valley,  the  others  were  in  Wayne  and 
Susquehanna  Counties. 


Wyoming  Circuit 


23 


The  year  1807  was  a  memorable  one.  Bishop  Asbury  visited 
this  field  this  year.  On  Sunday,  July  19,  he  preached  in  a  grove 
by  the  old  Forty  Fort  church,  and  ordained  Christian  and  Thomas 
Bowman  deacons.  Rain,  however,  cut  short  the  services  of  the 
morning.  In  the  afternoon  services  were  held  in  a  nearby  barn 
on  account  of  rain.  This  is  the  year  the  old  church  of  Forty  Fort 
was  built.  The  timbers  for  its  construction  were  lying  about  at 
the  time  of  Asbury's  visit. 

In  18 1 2  the  following  preaching  places  constituted  the  circuit, 
and,  according  to  Rev.  Elisha  Bibbins,  necessitated  traveling  two 
hundred  miles  to  get  over  it  once:  Newport  (preaching  in  a 
schoolhouse  near  Jonathan  Smith's,  an  exhorter),  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pittston,  Providence,  a  point  across  the  Susquehanna  River 
opposite  the  Tunkhannock  Creek,  Stark  Settlement,  Hopbottom 
(now  Brooklyn),  Crowfoot  Settlement  (within  eight  miles  of 
Great  Bend),  Springville,  Leyman's  Settlement,  Meshoppen, 
Braintrim  (neighborhood  of  Captain  Kinney's),  Hunt's  Ferry, 
Carver  neighborhood,  Kingston,  Plymouth,  Plains. 

In  1814  the  following  appear  as  preaching  places:  Kingston, 
Plymouth,  Bedford,  now  Truxville,  Dallas,  C.  Conkle's,  J.  Whit- 
tock's  in  Northmoreland,  Wilkes-Barre,  Hanover,  Stoddartsville, 
Jacob's  Plains,  Pittston,  Providence,  Carver's,  New  Troy,  New- 
port, and  Leach's  in  Abington. 

In  18 1 8  Dr.  George  Peck  was  appointed  to  the  circuit  and  notes 
the  following  appointments:  Forty  Fort;  Plymouth;  Wilkes- 
Barre;  Hanover;  Ruggle's  schoolhouse;  Stoddartsville;  Plains; 
house  of  Ebenezer  Marcy  above  Pittston;  house  of  Preserved 
Taylor,  farmer.  Mother  Taylor,  the  class  leader;  Kingston.  Six 
appointments  were  in  private  houses,  three  in  schoolhouses,  and 
three  in  churches,  not  one  of  which  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Church.  He  took  up  work  during  the  year  at  Leach's  in  Abing- 
ton, Newport,  Carver's,  Wyoming,  and  Blindtown. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  above  that  the  circuit  changed  somewhat 
from  time  to  time.  Perhaps  the  temperament  and  inclinations  of 
the  various  pastors  had  something  to  do  with  that. 

In  1826  Dr.  George  Peck  and  Philo  Barbary  were  appointed 
to  the  circuit.  After  the  first  quarter  of  the  year  had  passed, 
upon  petition  of  the  people,  Wilkes-Barre  with  Hanover, 
Plains,  and  Newport  were  constituted  a  charge,  with  Dr. 
Peck  as  pastor.  Daniel  Torry  was  put  in  Dr.  Peck's  place 
on  the  circuit.  In  1828  and  1829  these  places  were  again  in 
the  Wyoming  Circuit. 

After  1855  Wyoming  Circuit  ceases  to  be  among  the  appoint- 


24 


Wyoming  Conference 


ments.  But  little  of  its  thrilling,  adventurous,  toilsome  history 
is  written.  Long  rides,  often  scanty  fare,  small  pay,  preaching 
almost  daily,  large  revivals,  phenomenal  camp  meetings,  comprise 
the  history.  If  all  its  details  might  be  known  its  record  would  be 
romantically  glorious. 

Wyoming  Circuit  was  served  as  follows:  1791,  James  Camp- 
bell; 1792,  William  Hardesty;  1793,  William  Colbert,  Anthony 
Turk;  1794,  James  Paynter;  1795-96,  Alward  White;  1797,  Roger 
Benton;  1798,  William  Colbert;  1799  (and  Northumberland), 
James  Moore,  Benjamin  Bidlack,  David  Stevens ;  1800,  Ephraim 
Chambers,  Edward  Larkins,  Asa  Smith;  1801  (alone,  and  on 
Philadelphia  District),  Ephraim  Chambers,  Anning  Owen;  1802 
(on  Philadelphia  District,  in  Philadelphia  Conference),  Ephraim 
Chambers,  William  Brandon;  1803  (on  Susquehanna  District, 
same  Conference),  James  Polemus,  Hugh  ^IcCurdy;  1804  (same 
district,  Baltimore  Conference),  Morris  Howe,  Robert  Burch; 
1805,  James  Paynter,  Joseph  Carson;  1806,  Christopher  Frye, 
Alfred  Griffith;  1807,  Gideon  Draper,  William  Butler;  1808 
(same  district,  Philadelphia  Conference),  James  Reiley,  Henry 
Montooth ;  1809,  George  Lane,  Abraham  Dawson;  18 10  (same 
district,  Genesee  Conference),  Thomas  Wright,  Elijah  Metcalf; 
1811,  Noah  Bigelow,  William  Brown;  1812,  John  Kimberlin, 
Elisha  Bibbins;  1813,  Marmaduke  Pearce ;  1814,  B.  G.  Paddock; 
1815,  George  W.  Densmore;  1816-17,  Elias  Bowen;  1818,  George 
Peck;  1819,  Marmaduke  Pearce;  1820,  Elisha  Bibbins;  1821, 
Elisha  Bibbins,  John  Sayre;  1822,  John  D.  Gilbert,  William  W. 
Rundell;  1823,  George  Lane,  Gaylord  Judd;  1824,  Morgan  Sher- 
man, Joseph  Castle;  1825,  John  Copeland,  Philo  Barbary;  1826, 
George  Beck,  Philo  Barbary;  1827,  Sophronius  Stocking,  Miles 
H  Gaylord;  1828  (and  Wilkes-Barre),  J,  Castle,  Silas  Comfort; 
1829,  Morgan  Sherman,  B.  Ellis;  1830,  V.  M.  Coryell,  B.  Ellis; 
1831,  C.  W.  Harris;  1832,  Charles  Nash,  C.  W.  Giddings;  1833, 
H.  F.  Rowe;  1834,  H.  F.  Rowe,  A.  J.  Crandall ;  1835, 
C.  W.  Giddings,  A.  J.  Crandall,  Pearce  (supply)  ;  1836, 
F.  H.  Stanton,  K.  Elwell ;  1837,  F.  H.  Stanton,  William 
W.  Wooley;  1838,  William  Round,  Philo  Blackman ;  1839, 
William  Round,  Lyman  Mumford ;  1840-41,  J.  B.  Benham ;  1842, 
William  Reddy,  L.  S.  Bennett;  1843,  L.  S.  Bennett,  George  H. 
Blakeslee;  1844,  P.  G.  White;  1845,  P-  G.  White,  L.  S.  Bennett; 
1846,  Frederick  Humphries;  1847,  Thomas  H.  Pearne ;  1848, 
E.  P.  Williams;  1849,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1850,  Asahel  Bronson;  1851, 
C.  H.  Harvey;  1852,  T.  D.  Walker;  1853,  T.  D.  Walker,  A. 
Bronson  (supply);  1854,  C.  W.  Giddings;  1855,  S.  S.  Kennedy. 


Otsego  Circuit 


25 


Statistics 


1791  100  members. 

1801  191  " 

181 1  377 

1821  397  " 

1831  546 

1842  ...224  " 

1851  126 


These  figures  show  the  growth  of  the  circuit  and  also  its  dis- 
solution by  forming  charges  out  of  it. 

Otsego  Circuit 

In  1 79 1  Otsego  Circuit  first  appears  among  the  appointments. 
Just  how  long  before  this  Methodism  began  to  take  root  in  this 
soil  we  are  unable  to  say.  This  territory  had  been  in  the  Mont- 
gomery Circuit  prior  to  the  forming  of  this  circuit.  "The  country 
was  wild ;  settlements  few  and  far  between.  Roads  were  few, 
people  poor,  wicked,  and  reckless." 

Otsego  Circuit  does  not  appear  in  the  Minutes  from  1796  until 
1803.  It  could  not  have  been  merged  in  some  other  appointment, 
it  was  evidently  too  strong.  When  William  Colbert  takes  charge 
of  Albany  District  in  1802  he  recognizes  this  circuit  and  gives  it 
four  quarterly  meetings.  The  omission  must  have  been  by  mis- 
take. The  second  of  these  quarterly  meetings  was  held  at  Ed- 
son's,  in  Milford.  Another  quarterly  meeting  was  held  in 
Middlefield,  at  a  Mr.  Green's;  another  at  Elwood's,  in  Stewart's 
Patent. 

William  Jewett  furnished  Dr.  Peck  the  following  plan  of  Ot- 
sego Circuit  as  it  was  in  1810: 

"New  Lisbon,  S.  Abbey,  Sunday  morning,  schoolhouse. 

"Craftstown  schoolhouse,  Sunday  afternoon. 

"Ostewa,  Young's,  Monday. 

"Butternut,  Chapin's,  Tuesday  afternoon. 

"Butternut,  Bedient's,  Tuesday  evening. 

"Butternut,  Johnson's,  Wednesday. 

"Burlington,  Rawson,  Thursday. 

"New  Lisbon,  Gross. 

"Burlington,  Bloss,  Friday. 

"Burlington,  Rose's,  Friday. 

"Richfield,  Morris,  Sunday  morning. 

"Stewart's  Patent,  schoolhouse,  afternoon ;  lodge  at  Elwood's. 
"Warren,  Talcot;  German  Flats,  Voorhis;  German  Flats, 
Lewis;   Manhein,   Hendricks;   Fordsbush,  Arnold's;  Minden, 


26 


Wyoming  Conference 


Howland's,  Nicholson's,  and  Johnson's;  Springfield,  Walrod's; 
Bowman's  Creek,  Wheeler's ;  Charlestown,  Williams's  and  Matti- 
son's;  New  Sharon,  Van  Schaick's;  Bowman's  Creek,  Cham- 
plain's;  Cherry  Valley,  Storm's,  New  Boston  schoolhouse;  East 
Hill,  Ross's ;  Cherry  Valley  village,  Farley's ;  Middlefield,  Peck's, 
Blair's,  Green's,  and  McAllum's  ;*  Bowerstown,  Raxford's ;  Mil- 
ford,  Biven's ;  Hartwick,  Algar's  and  Lippit's ;  Pittsfield, 
Crane's ;  Piertown,  Knowlton's ;  Cooperstown  village ;  and  then 
ride  to  Middlefield  for  rest." 

'This  year  (1812)  Ebenezer  White  and  Ralph  Lanning  were 
appointed  to  Otsego  Circuit.  Mr.  White  had  the  reputation  of  a 
revivalist  of  the  old  stamp.  It  was  said  that  he  always  had  re- 
vivals; but  it  was  not  by  claptrap  or  eccentricities,  or  even  pro- 
tracted meetings,  for  they  were  not  then  known,  that  he  produced 
revivals,  but  by  the  old  apostolic  ^lethodist  method  of  preaching 
the  truth  in  simplicity  and  earnestness,  and  everywhere  breathing 
the  spirit  of  holiness. 

"When  Father  White  came  on  the  tone  of  religious  fervor 
began  to  rise  immediately.  The  old  devout  members  in  the  Mid- 
dlefield class  talked  of  his  first  sermon  as  a  feast  of  fat  things. 
The  sermon  was  on  a  week-day  afternoon,  and  few  of  the  young 
people  heard  it ;  but  the  earnest  conversation  about  it  on  the  part 
of  the  church  members  created  an  interest  in  their  minds,  and  a 
desire  to  hear  the  great  preacher. 

"On  his  second  or  third  round  ]Mr.  White  visited  the  house  of 
Mr.  Peck,  the  class  leader.  While  Betsy  was  combing  his  long 
black  hair,  and  the  younger  members  of  the  family  were  timidly 
skulking  in  corners,  where  they  might  hear  what  was  said  with- 
out being  observed,  the  apostolic  man  began  to  catechise  the  class 
leader : 

"  'How  many  of  your  children  have  been  converted,  brother?' 
"  'Only  the  one  combing  your  hair,  among  those  who  live  at 
home,'  was  the  answer. 

"  'Do  you  prav  in  your  family  ?' 
"  'I  do.' 

"  'Do  you  pray  for  your  children?' 
"  'I  try.' 

"  'Have  you  given  them  to  God  in  baptism  V 

"  'Only  that  part  of  them  born  in  Connecticut.' 

"  'Why  have  you  not  had  the  others  baptized  ?' 

"The  answer  was  simple  and  straightforward:  'After  coming 


♦  Isaac  Green's  house  was  on  the'liilPnorth  of  Red  Creek,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from 
Peck's.    McAllum's  was  about  the  same  distance  in  another  direction. 


Otsego  Circuit 


27 


to  this  country  I  lived  for  some  years  in  a  careless  way,  and 
thought  but  little  about  it,  and  now  some  of  them  are  growing  up 
in  sin  and  are  not  fit  subjects  of  baptism.'  Sundry  of  the  children 
felt,  'That  means  me!'  After  some  godly  counsel  to  parents  and 
children,  which  the  occasion  demanded,  and  a  fervent  prayer,  the 
venerable  man  departed ;  but  the  words  he  had  spoken  were  like 
nails  fastened  in  a  sure  place. 

"Soon  after  the  new  preacher  had  left  Mr.  Peck's  house  Polly, 
a  little  girl  of  about  eleven  years,  came  to  her  mother  in  tears  and 
asked  her  if  she  was  'too  wicked  to  be  baptized?'  The  answer  was, 
Tf  you  wish  to  be  baptized,  and  will  repent  of  your  sins,  and  pray 
for  mercy,  and  try  to  be  good.  Father  White  will  baptize  you.' 
The  dear  child  began  to  read  the  Bible,  and  weep  and  pray  in 
secret.  Andrew,  about  thirteen,  conversing  with  his  sister,  caught 
her  spirit  and  followed  her  example.  The  next  Sabbath  evening 
in  the  prayer  meeting  the  two  children  knelt  and  wept  aloud. 
They  were  commended  to  God  in  the  prayers  of  the  members  of 
the  church,  and  received  comfort  to  their  wounded  hearts.  A  con- 
versation with  Andrew  on  the  next  day  melted  our  hard  heart, 
and  we  became  deeply  penitent. 

"From  this  beginning  the  work  spread,  and  the  children  of  the 
Methodist  families  shared  largely  in  the  reviving  influence. 
When  Father  White  came  around  the  next  time  we  were  all 
ready  for  the  baptism.  He  preached  a  glorious  sermon  on  Heb. 
xi,  24 :  *By  faith  Moses,  when  he  was  come  to  years,  refused  to  be 
called  the  son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter,'  etc.  After  the  sermon  a 
large  number  of  adults  and  infants  were  baptized,  and  all  who 
desired  were  received  on  probation  in  the  Church.  We,  children 
of  Methodist  parents — Blairs,  McAllums,  Greens,  Pecks,  and 
Ricters — were  a  class  by  ourselves,  and  a  happy  company  were 
we. 

"The  fire  spread  over  the  circuit.  The  same  mode  of  visiting 
which  we  have  described  was  pursued  elsewhere  with  the  same 
success,  and  an  army  of  recruits  was  gathered  into  the  Church 
before  the  first  quarterly  meeting  for  the  year.  That  quarterly 
meeting  was  in  a  barn  in  Minden,  in  the  month  of  December,  and 
a  warm  time  it  was  in  the  old  barn,  although  it  was  severely  cold 
without.  On  the  stage  were  William  Case,  Ebenezer  White, 
Ralph  Lanning,  and  Jonathan  Huestis,  all  now  safely  landed  on 
the  blessed  shore." — Peck,  Early  Methodism. 

In  1813  Ralph  Lanning  and  Asa  Cummins  were  sent  to  the 
Otsego  Circuit. 

"Mr.  Cummins  had  been  upon  the  circuit  in  1803,  and  his  excel- 


28 


Wyoming  Conference 


lent  lady  had  taught  the  school  and  lived  with  her  children  in  the 
schoolhouse.  Of  course  he  was  an  old  acquaintance,  but  his  health 
was  bad,  and  he  was  getting  advanced  in  life,  and  his  physical 
strength  was  not  adequate  to  the  labors  of  a  heavy  charge.  He 
held  on  until  1835,  when  he  left  the  field  of  toil  for  a  crown." — 
Peck. 

The  following,  from  the  pen  of  Charles  Giles,  presiding  elder 
of  Oneida  District,  will  show  clearly  the  state  of  the  temperance 
question  at  and  about  the  time  we  are  now  considering  (1816)  : 

"Intemperance,  which  was  everywhere  prevalent  at  that  day, 
was  a  great  hindrance  to  the  reception  and  triumph  of  the  Gospel. 
Though  a  ruinous  and  disgraceful  evil  to  drink  stimulating  liquors 
habitually,  still  it  had  been  a  practice  of  long  standing,  and  was 
authorized  by  fashion  and  custom  in  every  class  in  the  com- 
munity. So  under  the  influence  of  perverted  views  and  habits  the 
world  went  on  encouraging  the  evil  without  stopping  to  consider 
the  fatal  consequences.  Though  our  Church  bound  her  members 
by  a  practical  rule  to  abstain  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a 
drink,  nevertheless  the  ruling  custom  in  everyday  business  being 
to  pass  the  intoxicating  cup  from  hand  to  hand,  the  members  of 
our  communion  were  unavoidably  exposed  to  the  tempting  evil, 
and  as  a  natural  consequence  intemperate  habits  crept  into  our 
societies,  which  caused  some  promising  members  to  lose  their 
piety  and  standing  among  us. 

"In  that  day  the  views  entertained  by  the  public  mind  respecting 
the  use  of  alcoholic  drinks  made  it  inglorious  work  for  a  minister 
of  the  Gospel  to  speak  against  the  common  tippling  practice  in  a 
public  discourse.  Nevertheless,  my  vows  to  God,  together  with 
the  dictates  of  my  conscience,  would  not  excuse  me  from  per- 
forming the  unpopular  task.  Therefore  I  improved  the  oppor- 
tunity, when  addressing  large  assemblies,  to  portray  the  alarming 
evil  of  intemperance,  and  also  brought  out  the  thundering  moral 
law  to  bear  against  the  ungodly  practice. 

"While  superintending  a  camp  meeting  on  Otsego  Circuit  my 
spirit  was  moved  within  me,  seeing  the  wickedness  of  the  land. 
The  hateful  genius  of  intemperance  appeared  crouching  in  obvious 
places  on  the  environs  of  the  encampment,  grinning  at  us  as  we 
passed  along.  On  the  Sabbath,  when  my  turn  came  to  preach,  I 
appeared  before  the  multitude  with  my  brow  set  against  wicked- 
ness— alcoholic  wickedness  in  particular.  Being  authorized  by 
my  text  to  bring  arguments  against  the  prevailing  sin  of  intem- 
perance, I  had  no  mercy  to  show  to  the  evil  in  any  of  its  branches. 
I  shook  the  rod  of  truth  over  the  distillery,  the  rum  shop,  and 


Temperance 


29 


the  intoxicating  fluid  as  it  ran  down  the  drunkard's  neck.  It  was 
plain,  pointed  work ;  every  sentence  went  hke  a  bullet  to  the  mark. 
Knowing  that  truth  and  reason  were  on  my  side,  I  was  not 
anxious  about  the  judgment  of  men.  While  standing  in  the  pres- 
ence of  God,  proclaiming  his  solemn  truth,  I  was  far  above  the 
scorn  of  the  impious  world. 

''Soon  after  the  discourse  was  ended  I  learned  that  there  was 
a  man  on  the  camp  ground  who  owned  a  distillery;  and  only  a 
few  weeks  before,  in  a  revival  of  religion,  he  was  numbered 
among  the  converts,  but  had  not  united  with  the  Church.  During 
the  discourse  the  preachers  and  some  others  heard  my  pointed  re- 
marks with  much  anxiety  and  trembling  on  account  of  the  con- 
verted distiller,  fearing  the  attack  I  made  on  his  whisky  business 
would  destroy  his  religion,  and  hence  the  Church  would  lose  him 
forever — his  talents  and  influence  having  awakened  much  interest 
in  his  favor.  Immediately  after  the  exercise  was  closed  the 
preachers  and  other  friends  gathered  around  him  in  a  pioils  panic, 
anxious  to  heal  his  wounds  and  comfort  his  afflicted  mind. 
Among  other  things  they  said,  'Brother  Giles  did  not  mean  you 
personally ;  he  does  not  know  you,  nor  what  business  you  are  en- 
gaged in.'  All  very  true;  they  hoped  that  he  would  not  be  dis- 
turbed by  the  discourse.  The  distiller  stood  and  heard  them  calmly 
and  attentively  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  in  this  manner  replied : 
'Brethren,  what  do  you  mean?  If  that  man  has  preached  the 
truth,  I  am  glad  that  I  was  present  to  hear  it.'  The  gentleman 
appeared  to  be  a  sincere  Christian,  anxious  to  know  the  whole 
truth,  and  determined  to  do  his  duty  as  it  was  revealed  to  him. 

"The  brethren  who  manifested  so  much  anxiety  over  this  young 
convert  were  temperance  men  themselves.  They  were  only  afraid 
that  the  tremendously  strong  meat  I  carved  for  the  assembly  at 
that  time  would  destroy  him,  being  only  a  babe  in  religion.  But 
when  they  saw  that  he  would  live  through  the  operation  they  were 
very  glad,  and,  indeed,  we  were  all  glad.  And  the  distiller  after- 
ward showed  to  all  around  how  religiously  glad  he  was.  In- 
fluenced by  the  power  of  truth  and  holy  feelings,  he  returned  home 
from  the  meeting  and  never  run  his  distillery  another  day;  nor 
did  he  sell  it  to  anyone  to  work  mischief  in  the  neighborhood ;  but 
he  let  it  go  down — yes.  Brother  Badger  let  his  distillery  rot  down. 
I  saw  it  afterward  in  a  harmless  pile  of  ruins,  and  rejoiced  to  see 
it  in  that  condition.  The  pious  brother  joined  the  Methodist 
Church  soon  afterward,  in  whose  communion  he  remained  a  use- 
ful and  distinguished  member  till  the  day  of  his  death." — Quoted 
by  Conahle,  pp.  110-112. 


30 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  following  is  from  a  letter  of  Charles  Giles  published  in  the 
Methodist  Magazine;  the  letter  bears  date  of  August  2,  1817 : 

"At  a  certain  time,  on  Otsego  Circuit,  an  effort  was  made  to 
illustrate  and  enforce  this  text :  'As  he  reasoned  of  righteousness, 
temperance,  and  a  judgment  to  come,  Felix  trembled.'  The  as- 
sembly was  large  and  very  attentive,  and,  while  the  discourse  was 
coming  to  a  close,  there  was  a  wonderful  move  among  them :  the 
Spirit  of  God  was  evidently  working  on  the  hearts  of  the  people. 
After  the  exercise  was  closed,  as  we  were  descending  the  pulpit 
stairs  I  saw  an  aged  man  coming  toward  the  altar  with  an  anxious 
appearance.  As  I  moved  toward  him  he  grasped  my  hand,  and 
earnestly  inquired,  Ts  there  any  mercy  for  such  a  sinner  as  I  am?' 
I  pointed  to  the  Bible  which  lay  on  the  desk,  and  assured  him  that 
it  contained  many  promises  for  sinners.  Then,  with  greater 
earnestness,  he  seized  my  hand  with  both  of  his,  and  said,  Ts  it 
possible  that  such  an  old  sinner  can  find  mercy?'  I  continued  to 
show  him  that  God  would  save  all  who  came  to  him  through 
Jesus  Christ.  This  moving  event  caused  many  in  the  congrega- 
tion to  wait.  The  aged  penitent  stood  there  in  a  state  of  bodily 
and  mental  agitation  till  he  was-  requested  to  kneel  at  the  altar. 
Then  the  congregation  was  invited  to  the  opening  of  a  season  of 
prayer  in  behalf  of  the  subject  at  the  altar.  The  exercise  com- 
menced immediately,  and  while  our  prayers  were  being  offered 
for  the  aged  sinner  others  felt  the  same  convincing  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  and  began  to  cry  for  mercy  likewise.  Soon  the 
mingled  voices  of  prayer  and  lamentation  filled  the  house.  The 
scene  was  truly  affecting.  While  some  lay  helpless  under  the 
overpowering  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  others  stood  weeping 
around  them — parents  and  children,  husbands  and  wives,  were 
mingled  in  the  scene.  They  were  mourning  and  rejoicing,  sing- 
ing and  shouting;  but,  fortunately,  there  w^as  no  confusion  in  the 
house;  no  one  was  there  to  oppose.  Jehovah  reigned  and 
wrought,  and  all  was  right,  and  all  was  good. 

"From  the  time  of  the  commencement  of  this  work,  which  was 
about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  there  was  no  cessation  till 
eleven  o'clock  that  night.  Eight  souls  were  converted ;  still  some 
went  away  sorrowing  under  the  burden  of  their  sins.  Soon  after 
they  came  into  the  kingdom  of  grace  rejoicing.  Some  who  were 
converted  that  day  were  triflers  in  the  morning.  How  wonderful 
are  the  works  of  God!" — Conahle,  pp.  113,  114. 

At  the  Conference  of  18 18  Abner  Chase  was  appointed  to  the 
Otsego  Circuit.  He  recollects  that  upon  that  circuit  he  found 
Josiah  Keyes,  "who  was  then  but  a  lad,  and  gave  him  his  first 


Striking  Conversion 


31 


license  to  exhort,  who  afterward  became  so  famous  as  a  preacher, 
and  died  while  he  was  presiding  elder  on  Cayuga  District,  so 
universally  lamented."  And  he  further  states  that  "at  a  place 
called  Fly  Creek,  a  few  miles  west  of  Cooperstown,  there  was  a 
little  church,  or  meetinghouse,  which  was  built  or  formerly  occu- 
pied by  Episcopalians,  but  at  that  time  .  .  .  mostly  occupied 
by  Methodists.  In  the  month  of  December  of  that  year  we  held  a 
quarterly  meeting  in  this  little  church.  There  had  been  something 
of  a  move  among  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  for  a  few  weeks 
preceding,  and  several  young  persons  had  professed  a  change  of 
heart.  When  the  quarterly  meeting  commenced,  therefore,  the 
people  seemed  prepared  to  avail  themselves  of  its  privileges. 
Through  the  entire  meeting,  from  its  commencement,  there  was  a 
heavenly  influence  resting  upon  the  congregation.  But  Sabbath 
evening  was  the  great  and  memorable  time.  The  presiding  elder, 
C.  Giles,  remained  with  us;  and  was  much  in  the  spirit  of  the 
work.  At  about  the  usual  hour  for  closing  the  meeting,  while 
some  were  relating  what  God  had  done  for  them,  an  old  man  by 
the  name  of  Shepard,  who,  as  he  afterward  stated,  had  felt  deeply 
for  several  days,  but  had  not  divulged  his  feelings  to  anyone, 
inquired  of  a  lad  who  had  spoken  of  the  mercy  of  God  to  him  if  he 
thought  there  could  be  any  mercy  for  such  an  old  sinner  as  he  was. 
It  seemed  that  he  made  inquiry  of  the  boy  because  he  was  near 
him,  and  because  he  had  not  confidence  to  speak  to  anyone  else. 
The  lad  was  rather  taken  by  surprise,  and  did  not  answer  imme- 
diately, but  another  person  did,  assuring  the  old  man  that  there 
was  mercy  for  him,  and  that  he  might  find  it  then  and  there. 
Upon  which  the  old  man  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  many  of  us 
bowed  with  him,  and  while  we  were  interceding  for  him  God 
spoke  peace  to  his  soul,  and  he  arose  and  testified  it  to  the  congre- 
gation. This  produced  a  powerful  effect  upon  many.  At  the 
same  time  there  arose  a  severe  storm  of  lightning,  thunder,  and 
rain,  attended  or  succeeded  by  a  storm  of  snow.  The  thunder- 
storm at  this  season  of  the  year  added  to  the  solemnity  of  the 
meeting,  so  that  all  idea  of  closing  it  was  given  up  for  the  present, 
and  cries  and  tears,  prayers  and  praise,  were  mingled  together 
without  intermission  for  several  hours ;  some  having  no  disposi- 
tion to  leave  the  house  on  account  of  the  storm,  while  many  more 
were  induced  to  stay  because  of  the  interest  they  took  in  the  meet- 
ing. Before  the  next  morning  dawned  many  souls  in  that  house 
were  delivered  from  the  guilt  of  sin,  and  made  to  rejoice  in  God 
their  Saviour.  Of  this  number  was  Martin  Marvin,  now  a 
member  of  the  Oneida  Conference. 


32 


Wyoming  Conference 


'There  lived  at  this  time,  in  a  Httle  village  called  Milford, 
situated  a  few  miles  below  Cooperstown,  on  the  Susquehanna 
River,  a  Major  Badger,  a  man  who  had  enjoyed  literary  ad- 
vantages above  most  of  his  neighbors,  and  whose  mind  was  stored 
with  general  knowledge  by  reading  and  observation.  But  he  was 
an  unbeliever  in  revealed  religion,  and  openly  professed  and  ad- 
vocated deism.  He  held  at  this  time  the  first  office  in  town,  and 
his  influence  was  great.  During  the  winter  of  1817-18  some  busi- 
ness liad  led  him  to  attend  the  session  of  the  Legislature  in  Al- 
bany for  several  weeks.  During  his  absence  his  wife  had  attended 
a  Methodist  meeting  in  a  neighborhood  at  some  distance  from 
home,  a  privilege  she  could  not  enjoy  with  the  knowledge  and 
consent  of  her  husband,  and  at  this  meeting  she  had  become 
awakened,  and  had  sought  the  Lord  in  secret  and  found  a  sense 
of  forgiveness  of  sin.  But  this,  for  the  time  being,  she  kept  to 
herself,  and  when  her  husband  returned  she  hesitated  to  mention 
what  the  Lord  had  done  for  her  soul,  fearing  his  opposition. 

"In  an  adjoining  town  lived  a  man  by  the  name  of  Marvin,  the 
father  of  jNIartin  ]\Iarvin,  whom  I  have  mentioned  before.  Badger 
and  Alarvin  had  formerly  been  intimately  acquainted,  but,  the 
latter  having  some  time  before  this  embraced  religion,  their  inti- 
macy had  been  interrupted.  But  it  happened  soon  after  Badger 
returned  from  Albany  that  some  business  brought  them  together. 
After  their  business  was  accomplished,  IMarvin  inquired  of 
Badger  if  he  ever  attended  Methodist  meetings.  'No,'  said 
Badger,  'you  know  I  do  not  believe  in  such  things,  and  why 
should  I  go?'  Said  Marvin,  'There  will  be  preaching  in  such  a 
place,  on  such  an  evening,  which  is  but  two  or  three  miles  from 
your  house,  and  I  ask  you  as  a  friend  to  go,  and  at  least  for  once 
hear  a  sermon.'  Badger  gave  him  no  promise  to  attend,  but  on 
going  home  he  asked  his  wife  if  she  wished  to  go  to  a  Methodist 
meeting.  She  was  so  astonished  and  overcome,  as  she  afterward 
stated,  on  hearing  her  husband  make  this  inquiry,  that  for  some 
time  she  could  give  no  answer.  But  after  recovering  herself  a 
little  she  replied,  'Why,  do  you  wish  to  go  ?'  'I  do  not  know  that 
I  do,'  said  he,  'but  Marvin  has  been  pressing  me  to  go  and  hear  a 
Methodist  preacher  at  T.'s  next  Wednesday  evening.'  'Well,' 
said  she,  'if  you  wish  to  go  I  will  accompany  you.'  He  replied, 
'Well,  then,  we  will  make  our  calculations  to  go.' 

"She  afterward  told  me  that  she  could  with  difficulty  suppress 
her  feelings  until  she  could  retire  to  her  room,  where  she  poured 
forth  her  gratitude  to  God  for  this  unexpected  event,  that  she  was 
likely  to  have  the  privilege  to  attend  a  Methodist  meeting  with 


MiLFORD,  N.  Y. 


33 


the  consent  of  her  husband.  The  evening  arrived,  and  Badger 
and  his  wife  repaired  to  the  meeting.  The  preacher  was  entirely 
ignorant  of  the  circumstances  above  narrated,  but  felt,  in  a  rather 
unusual  degree,  the  importance  of  his  work,  and  endeavored  to 
describe  the  wretched  state  of  man  by  nature,  his  need  of  the 
mercy  of  God,  and  how  that  mercy  could  be  exercised  through 
Christ,  and  only  through  him. 

"When  the  meeting  was  closed  the  major  came  forward  and 
introduced  himself  to  the  preacher  before  all  the  congregation  by 
giving  his  name  and  the  place  of  his  residence ;  and  added,  'If  you 
have  heard  anything  of  Milford  village  you  have  probably  heard 
that  Methodist  preachers  have  been  abused  there,'  alluding  to  the 
case  of  Ebenezer  White,  who  once  attempted  to  preach  in  Milford 
and  was  abused  by  a  mob.  'But,'  continued  he,  'I  wish  you  to 
come  and  preach  in  Milford,  and  if  you  will  consent  I  pledge  my- 
self that  you  shall  be  well  used.'  The  preacher  informed  him  that 
on  such  an  evening  he  could  be  there,  and  if  an  appointment  was 
given  out  he  would,  with  the  leave  of  Providence,  fulfill  it.  The 
major  assured  him  the  appointment  would  be  made,  and  requested 
the  preacher  to  come  to  his  house,  and  consider  it  his  home  while 
he  remained  in  the  place.  This  was  assented  to,  and  so  they 
parted.  When  the  day  arrived  the  preacher  came  in  the  afternoon 
to  Milford,  and  received  a  hearty  welcome  to  the  major's  house, 
who  soon  brought  forward  his  Bible  and  commenced  stating  his 
deistical  objections,  and  pointing  out  what  he  thought  to  be  incon- 
sistencies and  contradictions  in  it,  though  in  a  calm  and  gentle- 
manly manner.  In  this  manner  the  afternoon  passed,  and,  the 
hour  for  meeting  having  arrived,  the  congregation  assembled  in  a 
large  schoolhouse,  with  a  swinging  partition  in  the  center,  which 
was  raised,  and  the  house  filled  to  overflowing.  The  season  was 
solemn  and  impressive,  and  all  seemed  to  listen  with  deep  atten- 
tion. When  the  services  were  closed  the  major  called  the  atten- 
tion of  the  congregation,  and  said  he  wished  to  know  if  they 
desired  the  preaching  to  be  continued,  and  called  on  those  who 
were  in  favor  to  arise.  The  whole  congregation  were  at  once 
upon  their  feet,  and  an  appointment  was  accordingly  left  for  four 
weeks  from  that  evening.  After  returning  to  the  major's  the  sub- 
ject of  the  Bible  and  revealed  religion  was  resumed  and  continued 
to  a  late  hour.  When  the  preacher  came  from  his  room,  at  an 
early  hour  in  the  morning,  the  major  met  him,  saying,  T  had  a 
fire,  and  have  been  waiting  for  you  for  some  time.'  The 
Scriptures  were  still  the  subject  of  conversation,  until  the  preacher 
perceived  that  the  major  was  evidently  deeply  wrought  upon  by 
3 


34 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.  He  therefore  thought  it  best  to  leave  him 
for  the  present  to  his  own  reflections,  and  immediately  started  for 
his  next  appointment,  without  dropping  the  least  hint  that  he  had 
discovered  the  major's  agitation. 

"On  the  day  next  preceding  that  on  which  the  appointment  was 
to  be  again  met  at  Milford  the  major  went  to  meet  the  preacher 
at  an  appointment  a  few  miles  distant,  and  on  coming  into  the 
house  where  the  preacher  had  put  up  he  took  him  by  the  hands 
and,  bathed  in  tears,  exclaimed,  'I  find  myself  a  wretched  sinner, 
undone,  without  the  mercy  of  God !'  After  a  little  conversation 
they  walked  together  to  the  schoolhouse,  where  the  meeting  was 
to  be  held.  The  text  was  taken  from  Phil,  i,  29 :  'For  unto  you  it 
is  given  in  behalf  of  Christ,  not  only  to  beheve  on  him,  but  also  to 
suffer  for  his  sake.'  While  explaining  the  former  part  of  this 
privilege,  given  us  in  behalf,  or  through  Christ,  the  major  found 
power  of  faith  to  lay  hold  upon  the  promises  of  God  in  Christ; 
the  bands  were  broken,  and  his  soul  exulted  in  the  joy  of  pardoned 
sin.  The  major  stayed  for  class  meeting,  and,  this  being  the 
nearest  society  to  Milford,  he  offered  himself  as  a  probationer  for 
membership  before  he  left  the  house,  and  his  name  was  enrolled 
among  them.  At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  major  the  preacher 
accompanied  him  home  that  night — and  what  a  scene !  Then,  for 
the  first  time,  the  husband  and  wife  unfolded  to  each  other  their 
views  and  feelings  on  the  all-important  subject  of  religion.  The 
neighbors  were  called  in,  and  praise  and  prayer,  and  sighs  and 
tears,  were  mingled  together.  The  next  evening  the  schoolhouse 
could  not  contain  the  congregation  which  assembled,  and  the 
Presbyterian  meetinghouse  was  obtained,  and  many  that  evening 
felt  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  quick  and  powerful. 

*'To  give  the  particulars  of  the  revival  which  followed  in  Mil- 
ford would  fill  many  sheets ;  but  I  will  only  add  a  society  was 
raised,  embracing  the  heads  of  many  of  the  first  families  in  the 
place.  Among  these  was  Major  Eddy,  the  father  of  the  Rev.  L.  A. 
Eddy,  of  the  Oneida  Conference.  Major  Badger  exempHfied 
rehgion  in  life  for  a  number  of  years,  and  left  the  world  full  of  a 
glorious  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality." — Conahle,  pp.  126-130.' 

In  1838  Otsego  Circuit  comprised  the  following:  Milford,  Fly 
Creek,  Phoenix  Factory,  Union  Factory,  Red  School  House,  and 
Fitch  Hill. 

It  will  be  seen  from  this  that  the  circuit  was  exceedingly  limited 
compared  with  earlier  days.  It  was,  however,  the  strongest  cir- 
cuit in  that  section  of  the  country.  At  this  time,  Joseph  Hartwell 
says,  there  was  not  a  church  building  on  the  circuit. 


Appointees  to  Otsego  Circuit 


35 


The  appointments  to  the  circuit  were  as  follows:  1791,  Philip 
Wager,  Jonathan  Newman  ;  1792,  J.  Newman,  James  Covel ;  1793, 
Zebulon  Kankey,  Moses  Crane;  1794  (and  Herkimer),  Smith 
Weeks,  Ezekiel  Canfield,  John  Wooster;  1795  (alone),  John  Fin- 
negan;  1796-1802,  unknown;  1803  (Genesee  District,  Philadelphia 
Conference),  Josiah  Wilkinson,  Asa  Cummins;  1804,  Benjamin 
Bidlack,  John  P.  Weaver;  1805,  Frederick  Woodward,  Benoni 
Harris;  1806,  Woodward  and  Harris,  and  C.  Giles;  1807,  William 
Hill,  Aaron  Baxter;  1808  (Cayuga  District,  New  York  Confer- 
ence), David  Dunham;  1809,  David  Dunham,  Isaac  Puffer;  1810 
(same  district,  Genesee  Conference),  W.  Jewett,  S.  Mattison, 
M.  Vanduzan;  1811,  Isaac  Teller,  Samuel  Ross;  1812  (Oneida 
District,  Genesee  Conference),  Ebenezer  White,  Ralph  Lanning; 
1813,  Ralph  Lanning,  Asa  Cummins;  1814,  George  Gary,  James 
Hazen ;  1815,  George  Gary,  Seth  Mattison,  Asa  Cummins;  1816, 
unknown;  1817,  Abner  Chase;  1818,  B.  G.  Paddock,  John  Hamil- 
ton; 18 19,  Elijah  King,  Enoch  Barnes;  1820,  James  Hazen;  1821, 
Dan  Barnes;  1822,  Orin  Doolittle,  Eli  Allen;  1823,  Orin  Doo- 
little,  John  Roper;  1824,  Ephraim  Hall,  John  Roper;  1825,  Isaac 
Stone,  Anson  TuUer;  1826,  Jesse  Pomeroy,  Henry  Peck,  Isaac 
Stone;  1827,  Isaac  Grant,  J.  Pomeroy;  1828,  Isaac  Grant 
(Chenango  District)  ;  1829  (same  district,  Oneida  Conference), 
Henry  Peck,  John  Roper;  1830,  John  Roper,  H.  F.  Rowe ;  1831, 
H.  F.  Rowe,  L.  C.  Rogers;  1832,  George  Harmon,  L.  C.  Rogers; 
1833,  George  Harmon,  J.  Warner;  1834,  John  Ercanbrack;  1835, 
J.  Ercanbrack,  D.  Davis;  1836,  W.  Round,  Calvin  Hawley,  Ira  D. 
Warren;  1837,  W.  Round,  C.  Hawley,  M.  Marvin;  1838,  Isaac 
Grant,  Joseph  Hartwell;  1839,  Calvin  Hawley,  William  Bixby; 
1840,  M.  Marvin,  W.  Bixby,  R.  Nelson;  1841,  H.  Halstead,  S.  C 
Phinney;  1842,  S.  C.  Phinney;  1843  (and  Cooperstown) ,  L.  A. 
Eddy,  J.  Shank;  1844  (alone),  C.  Starr,  J.  Shank;  1845,  C.  Starr, 

D.  T.  Elliott;  1846  (Otsego  District),  W.  Bixby,  W.  Burnside; 
1847,  W.  Bixby,  A.  Queal ;  1848,  J.  T.  Wright,  A.  Queal ;  1849, 

E.  L.  North,  M.  Marvin;  1850,  E.  Dennison;  1851-52,  J.  H.  Hall. 


Statistics 


1791   80  members. 

1803  393 

181 1  494  " 

1821  445 

1831  727 

1842  406  " 

1851  108 


36 


Wyoming  Conference 


Tioga  Circuit 

In  1792  this  was  a  mission  of  an  indefinite  extent  embracing  the 
new  settlements  from  Wyalusing  north  and  west  wherever  they 
might  be  found. 

Rev.  Loring  Grant  gives  some  idea  of  the  extent  of  this  circuit 
in  1810:  Coventry,  a  point  below  Bainbridge,  Oquaga,  Randolph, 
Osborn  Hollow,  Brother  Hale's  (father  of  the  girl  who  became 
the  wife  of  the  notorious  Joe  Smith),  Brother  Comfort's  (father 
of  Rev.  Silas  Comfort),  Brother  Rood's,  Chenango  Point  or 
Binghamton,  Choconut,  down  the  Susquehanna  and  over  the 
mountains  to  Brother  Canfield's  on  Wyalusing  Creek,  down  the 
Wyalusing  to  its  mouth,  up  the  Wysox,  from  the  mouth  to  the 
head  waters  of  the  Towanda,  thence  to  the  head  w^aters  of  the 
Lycoming  Creek,  thence  over  to  the  Sugar  Creek,  thence  to  the 
river  again  at  Sheshequin,  Tioga  Point,  Waverly,  Newtown  or 
Elmira,  Owego,  CaroHne,  Lisle,  Green,  and  back  to  the  place  of 
beginning.  This  circuit  had  about  thirty  preaching  places  and 
necessitated  four  hundred  miles'  travel  to  go  round  it. 

In  1818  the  circuit  was  substantially  as  in  1810.  Broome  Cir- 
cuit had  been  taken  from  the  northeastern  territory.  It  now  was 
a  four  weeks'  circuit,  and  extended  from  Spencer  several  miles  to 
the  west  and  north,  with  Owego  as  its  northeastern  boundary  and 
southward  into  Pennsylvania.  It  required  about  three  hundred 
miles'  travel  to  get  around  the  circuit,  and  there  were  twenty 
preaching  places.  There  were  but  two  meetinghouses  on  the 
circuit.  ''The  walls  of  one,  situated  at  Sugar  Creek,  consisted  of 
hewed  logs,  with  a  door,  floor,  seats,  and  pulpit  to  match.  The 
other,  in  the  town  of  Tioga,  was  called  'Light's  Meetinghouse,' 
from  the  venerable  man  living  near  who  furnished  the  land  upon 
which  it  stood."  This  building  was  roofed  and  inclosed,  with 
seats  made  of  rough  boards. 

After  1828  Tioga  Circuit  disappears  from  the  Minutes. 

The  appointments  to  this  circuit  were  as  follows:  1792,  John 
Hill;  1793,  James  Thomas;  1794,  James  Moore;  1795  (and 
Seneca),  Joseph  Whitby,  John  Lackey;  1796  (alone),  Michael 
H.  R.  Wilson;  1797,  James  Stokes;  1798,  Johnson  Dunham;  1799, 
John  Leach,  David  Dunham;  1800,  Jacob  Gruber;  1801  (and 
Unadilla),  Gideon  A.  Knowlton ;  1802,  Joseph  Osborn,  Sharon 
Booth;  1803,  J.  Herron,  S.  Budd,  John  P.  Weaver;  1804,  John 
Billings,  Parley  Parker;  1805,  Frederick  Stier,  Timothy  Lee; 
1806,  Joseph  Hays,  Joel  Smith;  1807,  Robert  Burch,  Benedict 
Burgess;   1808,  David  Best,  John  Kimberlin ;   1809,  Thomas 


Chenango  Circuit 


37 


Elliott,  George  Thomas;  1810,  Loring  Grant,  Joseph  Kinkead; 
181 1,  John  Wilson,  Samuel  Thompson;  1812,  Marmaduke  Pearce, 
Abraham  Dawson;  1813,  James  H.  Baker,  James  Hall;  1814, 
James  Hall,  John  Griffing;  1815,  Palmer  Roberts;  1816-17, 
Michael  Burdge;  1818,  John  Griffing,  Andrew  Peck;  1819,  John 
Griffing,  James  Gilmore;  1820,  Hiram  G.  Warner,  Hiram  Moore; 
1821,  Hiram  G.  Warner,  Caleb  Kendall,  Jr.;  1822,  Gaylord  Judd, 
Sophronius  Stocking;  1823,  Philetus  Parkus,  Mark  Preston; 
1824,  Gaylord  Judd,  P.  Parkus ;  1825,  George  Evans,  John  Wilson, 
Jr.;  1826,  Joshua  Rogers,  Joseph  Towner;  1827,  Mark  Preston, 
Joseph  Pearsall ;  1828,  Asa  Orcutt. 


Statistics 

1792   76  members. 

1802  18s 

1812  484 

1822  382 

1828  473 


Chenango  Circuit 

"Chenango  Circuit  appears  in  the  appointments  in  1798.  It 
took  in  the  extremes  of  Otsego,  Herkimer,  and  Tioga,  embracing 
the  Chenango  and  Unadilla  valleys  and  numerous  small  and  re- 
mote settlements  among  the  hills." 

In  1800  a  revival  occurred  in  Brookfield  and  the  Giles  family 
were  brought  into  the  church,  one  of  whom.  Rev.  Charles  Giles, 
became  widely  known. 

1813.  During  this  year  Loring  Grant  and  Elisha  Bibbins  were 
on  the  circuit. 

"In  the  spring  of  18 14  Luther  Peck  removed  from  Middle- 
field,  Otsego  County,  to  Hamilton,  Madison  County,  and  set- 
tled on  a  ridge  near  the  Brookfield  line,  in  a  somewhat  new  and 
secluded  neighborhood.  There  were  eight  in  the  family  who 
brought  with  them  certificates  of  membership.  There  were  no 
Methodists  in  the  neighborhood,  and  no  regular  services.  Mr. 
Peck  immediately  established  a  prayer  meeting  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing and  Thursday  evening.  The  preachers  were  next  invited  to 
come  and  preach  in  the  old  log  house.  They  came  on  without 
delay,  and  Mr.  Grant  organized  a  society  of  about  a  dozen  mem- 
bers, embracing  a  few  who  "lived  in  other  neighborhoods.  The 
people  flocked  in,  and  we  had  crowded  congregations  and  most 
interesting  meetings.    Here  it  was,  at  the  paternal  fireside,  that 


38 


Wyoming  Conference 


we  formed  our  earliest  acquaintance  with  our  excellent  old  friends 
Grant  and  Bibbins.  Here  Dr.  Dempster  made  some  of  his  early 
efforts,  and  won  some  souls  to  Christ;  and  here  'the  preaching 
family'  took  their  first  lessons  in  theology,  and  made  their  first 
efforts  in  the  way  of  warning  sinners  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come,  and  here  they  won  their  first  triumphs  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord.  The  class  increased,  and  'Father  Peck's'  became  a  regular 
appointment,  and  continued  to  be  so  until  he  left  the  country." — 
Peck,  Early  Methodism,  p.  397. 

We  have  been  able  to  find  but  little  concerning  this  old  circuit. 
The  list  of  appointments  is  about  all  we  can  give  other  than  the 
above.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  journal  may  yet  be  found 
which  will  give  us  further  information. 

The  appointments  to  the  circuit  were  as  follows  :  1798,  Jonathan 

Xewman;  1799,   ;  1800,  Barzillai  Willy,  William  Vreden- 

burgh;  1801,  David  Dunham,  [Matthew  \'anduzan;  1802  (with 
Oneida),  Zenas  Covel,  Griffin  Sweet,  Frederick  Woodward;  1803, 
Alexander  Morton,  Ebenezer  White;  1804,  John  Husselkus, 
Benoni  Harris;  1805,  Benjamin  Bidlack,  William  Hoyer;  1806, 
Sylvester  Hill,  Parley  Parker;  1807,  David  Dunham,  Clement 
Hickman;  1808,  John  P.  Weaver,  Aaron  Baxter;  1809,  Matthew 
Vanduzan,  Elijah  Metcalf ;  1810,  Ebenezer  White,  C.  Giles;  181 1, 
Ebenezer  White,  C.  Giles,  Abner  Chase;  1812,  Chandley  Lambert; 
1813,  Loring  Grant,  Elisha  Bibbins;  1814,  Ralph  Lanning, 
Nathaniel  Reeder;  1815,  Ralph  Lanning,  EHjah  King;  1816, 
Dan  Barnes;  1817,  Dan  Barnes,  Paul  Stowel;  1818,  Joshua 
Rogers,  Paul  Stowel;  18 19,  James  Kelsey,  Joshua  Rogers;  1820, 
Wyatt  Chamberlain,  J.  D.  Gilbert;  1821,  John  Arnold,  Timothy 
Goodwin;  1822,  G.  W.  Densmore,  Ebenezer  Doolittle;  1823, 
Henry  Peck,  John  S.  Mitchell;  1824,  Henry  Peck;  1825,  Isaac 
Grant,  Caleb  Kendall,  second;  1826,  Isaac  Grant,  James  Atwell; 
1827,  James  Atwell;  1828-29,  Joshua  Rogers;  1830,  W.  S.  Bow- 
dish,  Lyman  Sperry;  1831,  W.  S.  Bowdish,  Martin  Marvin,  Ly- 
man Sperry;  1832;  W.  Round,  Martin  Marvin;  1833,  W.  Round, 
I.  Warren;  1834,  Alvin  Torry,  I.  Warren;  1835,  A.  E.  Daniels; 
1836,  A.  Calder,  L.  G.  Weaver;  1837,  George  Harmon,  E.  L. 
Wadsworth,  William  Bixby;  1838,  C.  Starr,  B.  W.  Gorham, 
J.  Soule;  1839,  C.  Starr,  B.  W.  Gorham,  J.  C.  Ransom;  1840, 
J.  C.  Ransom,  C.  W.  Harris;  1841,  C.  W.  Harris,  Philip  Bartlett; 
1842,  D.  Davis,  P.  Bartlett,  R.  Stockley;  1843,  D.  Davis,  I.  D 
Warren;  1844,  Andrew  Peck,  R.  S.  Rose;  1845,  A.  Peck,  B. 
Ferris,  William  Silsbee ;  1846,  C.  Starr,  A.  Queal ;  1847,  C.  Starr, 
M.  M.  Tuke;  1848,  John  Crawford,  WiUiam  G.  Queal. 


Canaan  Circuit 


39 


Statistics 


1800  227  members. 

1810  383 

1820  685 

1830  330 

1840  537 

1848  268 


Canaan  Circuit 

As  early  as  1803  preaching  at  the  Dutch  settlement  in  Big 
Beech  Woods  is  recorded.  Big  Beech  Woods  was  in  Canaan,  and 
formed  a  part  of  Wyoming  Circuit. 

In  1806  Wyoming  Circuit  had  eighteen  preaching  places ;  twelve 
were  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  and  six  were  within  the  bounds  of 
what  was  afterward  Canaan  Circuit.  The  following  from  Dr. 
Nadal's  sketch  of  Rev.  Alfred  Griffith  gives  an  excellent  idea  of 
some  itinerant  life  in  those  days : 

"The  fare  was  poor  and  coarse  enough.  The  only  drink  they 
had  besides  water  was  coffee  made  of  buckwheat  bread.  The 
process  of  making  this  drink  was  to  hold  a  piece  of  buckwheat 
bread,  called  a  slapjack,  in  the  fire  in  the  tongs  till  completely 
charred,  and  then  to  boil  it  in  an  iron  pot.  The  liquor  thus  ob- 
tained, sweetened  with  maple  sugar,  received  from  Mr.  Griffith 
the  name  of  'slapjack  coffee,'  and  by  this  designation  came  to  be 
generally  known.  As  to  eating,  from  early  in  June  till  autumn 
they  had  not  a  morsel  of  meat  of  any  kind.  Poultry  could  not  be 
raised,  nor  pigs,  nor  sheep,  for  as  soon  as  anything  of  the  sort 
made  its  appearance  it  was  carried  off  by  the  foxes,  the  bears,  the 
panthers,  or  the  wolves.  If  now  and  then  a  man  was  found  bold 
enough  to  attempt  to  keep  a  hog,  the  pen  was  built  just  at  the 
front  door  of  the  cabin ;  and  if  he  owned  a  calf  it  was  brought  up 
and  tied  behind  the  house  every  night,  and  the  guns  kept  loaded, 
and  at  hand,  to  drive  off  or  kill  the  invading  panther  or  wolf.  As 
they  rested  at  night  on  their  bearskins  or  deerskins  they  frequently 
heard  around  them  the  wailing  scream  of  the  panther  or  the  howl 
of  the  wolf ;  and  the  sight  of  the  bear  was  more  common  than  that 
of  a  pig  or  a  lamb. 

"The  sleeping  was  as  poor  in  some  instances  as  the  eating  and 
drinking.  About  fifty  miles  from  the  Flats  (Wyoming  Valley) 
lived  a  humble  family  by  the  name  of  Cramer,  consisting  of  hus- 
band and  wife,  with  one  son,  Abram.  Their  house  was  both  stop- 
ping place  and  church  for  our  young  itinerant,  who  had  for  his 
bed,  when  he  remained  over  night  with  them,  the  frame  of  an  old 


40 


Wyoming  Conference 


loom,  across  whose  beams  were  laid  slats,  and  on  the  slats  a  bear- 
skin or  two.  These,  with  a  pair  of  clean  sheets,  which  were  kept 
exclusively  for  the  preachers,  and  a  few  superincumbent  duds,  con- 
stituted the  sleeping  apparatus.  Abe,  as  he  was  familiarly  called, 
was  the  preacher's  bedfellow,  and  on  one  occasion,  when  Mr. 
Griffith  had  just  committed  himself  to  his  room  and  bearskins 
for  the  night,  and  lay  waiting  for  young  Abram,  who  was  a  stal- 
wart boy  of  twenty,  he  happened  to  cast  his  eye  in  one  corner  of 
the  room,  or  rather  of  the  barn,  that  room  being  the  only  one, 
when  a  sight  met  him  at  once  puzzling  and  grotesque.  There  was 
good  Mother  Cramer,  with  her  boy,  Abe,  before  her,  who  stood, 
with  lamblike  docility,  while  the  old  lady  pinned  around  him  a 
snow-white  sheet,  which  reached  from  the  chin  to  the  ground, 
making  him  look,  his  decidedly  human  head  being  excepted,  for  all 
the  world  like  a  veritable  ghost.  'Why,  mother,'  said  the  young 
preacher,  'what  on  earth  are  you  doing  to  Abe  ?  Are  you  making 
a  ghost  of  him?'  'No,  child,'  replied  the  inventive  housewife, 
'no;  but  Abe  isn't  fit  to  sleep  with  a  preacher  unless  he  is 
wrapped  up  in  some  such  way  as  this.' 

"At  one  of  his  appointments  the  young  preacher  was  met  by 
an  Irishman,  by  the  name  of  Matthew  Bortree,  who  had  been  a 
Methodist  in  his  native  country,  but  having  emigrated  to  this 
country,  and  settled  where  he  enjoyed  no  religious  advantages, 
he  had  become  cold  and  backslidden.  But  the  Holy  Spirit  had 
again  visited  him,  and  he  became  deeply  anxious  to  retrieve  his 
spiritual  losses,  and  the  object  of  his  present  visit  was  to  get  the 
promise  of  the  preachers  to  visit  his  settlement,  and  establish  there 
an  appointment.  The  settlement  was  of  about  twenty  years' 
standing,  and  yet  a  sermon  had  never  been  heard,  nor  a  minister 
of  the  Gospel  seen  in  it. 

"Upon  consultation  between  the  preachers  it  was  agreed  that 
Mr.  Griffith  should  make  the  first  visit  to  the  new  field,  and  preach 
the  Gospel  in  the  regions  beyond  to  people  who  had  never  heard 
its  joyful  proclamation.  The  time  was  fixed,  and  a  young  man 
was  to  be  sent  to  meet  the  preacher  at  Cramer's,  and  conduct  him 
through  the  great  wilderness  called  the  'Big  Beech  Woods'  to 
Bortree's  house.  In  pursuance' of  his  engagement,  at  the  proper 
time  Mr.  Griffith  started  for  Cramer's,  rode  all  day  without  eating 
a  morsel,  and  reached  the  friendly  cabin  about  nightfall,  having 
come  about  fifty  miles.  Of  course  he  was  weary  and  hungry. 
Mother  Cramer  said  she  was  glad  to  see  him,  but  sorry  he  had 
come,  for  she  had  nothing,  nothing  at  all  to  give  him  to  eat.  Mr. 
Griffith  said  he  was  sorry  too,  for  he  was  very  hungry;  couldn't 


Scanty  Fare 


41 


Mother  Cramer  possibly  find  something  that  a  man  could  eat? 
The  good  woman  promised  to  try,  and  upon  rummaging  among 
some  broken  crockery  she  found  a  dry  crust  of  bread,  which,  added 
to  a  very  small  fish  which  Abe  had  that  day  caught  in  the  branch, 
and  which  she  immediately  cooked,  was  the  supper  and  dinner  of 
the  young  preacher,  after  a  ride  of  fifty  miles  and  preaching  twice. 

''The  fish  and  the  bread,  which  Providence  made  sufficient  with- 
out a  miracle,  being  found,  the  good  woman  drew  out  a  washtub 
and  placed  a  board  over  it  for  a  table,  on  which  in  the  moiety  of  a 
plate  she  arrayed  the  dinner,  and  before  which  she  placed  a  three- 
legged  stool;  she  invited  the  preacher  to  eat,  adding  as  she  con- 
cluded her  invitation:  'There's  your  dinner;  it's  all  I  have;  if  I 
had  more  you  should  have  it.  But  if  you  are  a  good  man  it's  good 
enough  for  you,  and  if  not  it's  too  good.' 

"By  daybreak  the  next  morning  the  father  and  Abe  had  re- 
turned from  the  mill,  whither  they  had  gone  to  replenish  their 
exhausted  larder,  and  the  young  itinerant  had,  considering  time? 
and  place,  a  good  breakfast,  plenty  of  corn  bread,  washed  down 
with  slapjack  coffee,  that  and  nothing  else. 

"The  next  evening  he  and  his  guide  arrived  at  the  settlement, 
and  were  met  by  seventy  or  eighty  persons,  all  anxious  to  see 
that  strange  sight,  a  preacher.  He  put  up  with  Bortree,  and  no 
sooner  was  he  in  the  house  than  they  insisted  he  should  preach  the 
same  evening.  He  consented,  and  while  he  preached  the  people 
gazed  and  wondered;  not  one  present,  perhaps,  except  Bortree, 
had  ever  before  been  witness  of  such  a  scene.  The  next  day  he 
preached  morning,  afternoon,  and  night.  After  the  second  service 
he  was  approached  by  a  great  rough  fellow  by  the  name  of  Bill 
Clemens,  who  asked  him  what  he  meant  by  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  The  answer  was  given  by  reading  from  the  Dis- 
cipline the  General  Rules  and  the  articles  of  faith.  Clemens,  with 
ill-suppressed  indications  of  feeling,  remarked  that  if  that  was 
all  he  would  not  object  to  becoming  a  Methodist  himself.  The 
appointment  was  regularly  kept  up,  and  when  winter  set  in  the 
seriousness  marked  from  the  first  had  grown  into  deep  penitence, 
and  there  was  a  repetition  of  those  scenes  of  revival  which  had 
been  witnessed  in  so  many  parts  of  the  country.  .  .  .  Every 
man  and  woman,  and  every  child  over  fourteen  years  old,  in  the 
whole  settlement  professed  religion  and  joined  the  Church,  with 
a  single  exception,  and  he  was  a  whisky  seller.  Even  this  man's 
wife  was  brought  in.  The  reformation,  however,  took  from  him 
his  occupation,  and  cursing  the  neighborhood  into  heaps  he  left 
for  parts  unknown.    Matthew  Bortree  became  a  local  preacher, 


42 


Wyoming  Conference 


and  Bill  Clemens  a  class  leader,  and  on  the  spot  where  Borlree's 
house  stood  now  stands,  as  we  are  informed,  a  fine  church." 

During  Asbury's  visit  to  Wyoming  Valley  in  the  summer  of 
1807  he  directed  Gideon  Draper  to  spend  the  balance  of  the  year 
on  what  was  subsequently  called  Canaan  Circuit.  However,  it 
was  then  known  as  ''the  Alission."  Note  the  following  places 
visited  by  him,  and  an  idea  will  be  had  of  the  extent  of  the  circuit : 
Salem,  Paupack,  Sterling;  an  appointment  across  the  Delaware; 
Bethany;  Alount  Pleasant,  Ouaquaga,  Hopbottom. 

In  1808  Canaan  Circuit  appears  among  the  appointments  and 
continues  until  1828. 

In  1810  the  circuit  was  as  follows :  ''The  preachers  then  crossed 
the  Delaware,  and  preached  at  Cochecton,  Cross's,  Kurd's  Settle- 
ment, or  White  Lake,  Liberty,  and  Mamakating  Hollow,  at 
Smith's;  crossed  the  Shawangunk  Mountain,  and  preached  at 
Higgins's  and  at  Squire  Stoddard's;  recrossed  the  mountain  and 
preached  at  Carpenter's  Point  (now  Port  Jervis).  These  appoint- 
ments required  the  preachers  to  travel  extensively  over  Sullivan 
and  Orange  Counties  in  the  State  of  New  York." 

Classes  were  formed  at  Cherry  Ridge  and  at  Bethany  this 
year. 

"Here  is  embraced  the  whole  of  the  present  Honesdale  District," 
besides  portions  of  Wyoming  and  Binghamton  Districts,  and  parts 
of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  Conferences. 

"The  preachers  of  the  circuit  each  received  $49.98  and  their 
traveling  expenses  this  year." 

1818.  Isaac  Grant  was  on  the  circuit  this  year.  "A  camp 
meeting  was  held,  early  in  September  of  this  year,  in  Salem, 
which,  on  the  invitation  of  our  presiding  elder,  we  attended.  We 
crossed  Cobb's  Mountain  in  a  considerable  company  of  men  and 
women  on  horseback,  led  by  our  magnificent  presiding  elder  on  a 
mammoth  horse.  All  in  all  it  was  a  novel  scene  to  us,  and  there 
was  a  sprinkling  of  romance  in  a  train  of  travelers  on  saddles, 
composed  of  men  and  women,  old  and  young,  climbing  the  moun- 
tain and  clambering  over  rocks,  upon  which  the  old  Yankees  trod 
when  they  first  visited  fair  Wyoming,  and  upon  which  they 
dropped  their  sweat  and  tears  as  they  fled  from  the  murderous 
savages.  Many  of  them  crossed  this  mountain  on  foot,  we  were 
well  mounted ;  they  traveled  in  peril  of  their  lives,  we  in  safety. 

"The  encampment  was  small,  the  ground  rough,  and  the  tents 
poorly  built.  Everything  was  rude  and  primitive;  but  God  was 
there.  The  work  of  awakening  and  conversion  soon  commenced, 
and  the  groans  of  the  wounded  and  the  shouts  of  the  saved 


Work  on  Canaan  Circuit 


43 


resounded  through  the  forest  of  tall  hemlock  and  beech  trees." — 
Peck. 

When  Rev.  George  Peck  went  to  this  circuit  in  1820  he  ''found 
it  a  two-weeks'  circuit,  with  a  membership  of  223,  and  twelve 
preaching  places,  one  of  them  being  the  courthouse  at  Bethany, 
three  or  four  schoolhouses,  and  the  rest  private  houses — not  one 
church."  He  further  says:  "The  work  on  Canaan  Circuit  was 
hard.  It  was  sparsely  settled,  and  the  chief  occupation  of  the 
people  was  clearing  their  land,  and  winning  farms  from  the 
original  forest,  which  still  covered  by  far  the  greater  portion  of 
the  country.  The  roads  were  simply  wagon  paths,  made  by  cut- 
ting away  the  trees  and  undergrowth  so  as  to  admit  of  a  passage, 
provided  the  driver  was  skillful  in  winding  about  rocks  and 
stumps.  They  were  so  narrow  that  the  dense  foliage  of  the  trees 
shut  out  the  sun,  and,  in  consequence,  they  were  always  muddy 
in  the  warm  season,  except  where  the  rocks  were  bare.  Through 
the  swamps  the  roads  were  of  the  style  called  in  some  sections  of 
our  land  'corduroy ;'  but  the  poles  of  which  they  were  constructed 
were  often  decayed,  and  the  way  unsafe.  When  winter  came,  and 
the  mud  began  to  freeze,  it  was  still  worse.  My  poor  horse  be- 
came sore  and  stiff,  and  almost  broke  down.  He  often  halted  on 
the  edge  of  some  icy  Slough  of  Despond,  and  could  be  forced  into 
it  only  by  a  sharp  application  of  the  spur."  And  yet  it  was  vastly 
in  advance  of  what  it  was  when  traveled  by  Owen  and  Draper ! 

Mr.  Peck  received  in  "grain,  meat,  meal,  maple  sugar,  and  other 
articles  too  numerous  to  mention  about  one  hundred  dollars,  all 
told." 

Rev.  Elisha  Bibbins,  who  was  on  the  circuit  in  1822  and  1823, 
gives  the  following  as  the  preaching  places:  Canaan  Four 
Corners,  Mount  Pleasant,  Bethany,  Cherry  Ridge,  Salem,  Sterling, 
Bennet's  Settlement,  Lackawaxen,  and  the  Dutch  Settlement. 

All  too  meager  are  the  records  of  those  early  days.  Yet  enough 
is  known  about  them  to  cause  great  admiration  for  the  men  who 
heroically  tilled  the  ground.  The  fathers  of  Methodism  were 
sturdy  heroes ! 

In  1828  John  Parker  and  V.  M.  Coryell  were  serving  this  cir- 
cuit. Brother  Parker  published  in  The  Christian  Advocate  an 
account  of  a  man  whose  name  was  Truman  Matthews,  and  who 
was  executed  in  Bethany,  Wayne  County,  Pa.,  on  the  24th  of 
October,  1828,  for  the  murder  of  Colonel  Jonathan  Brooks.  His 
article  was  headed  "Universalism  Renounced  Under  the  Gallows." 

"During  Matthews's  trial  and  imprisonment,  Rev.  John  Parker 
visited  him  several  times,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  convert  him  from 


\ 


44 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  error  of  his  ways,  but  found  him  fearfully  hardened,  and 
seeking  miserable  refuge  in  Universalism.  No  Gospel  reasoning 
seemed  to  touch  his  feelings  in  the  least.  But  on  the  day  of  exe- 
cution Brother  Parker,  having  been  appointed  by  the  sheriff  to 
preach  on  the  awful  occasion,  went  early  to  the  courthouse,  and 
learned  that  a  change  had  taken  place  in  the  prisoner's  mind. 
The  day  previous  to  his  execution  he  was  designing,  with  a  knife 
some  wretch  had  furnished  him,  to  commit  suicide;  but  when 
about  to  execute  the  horrid  deed  he  heard,  to  use  his  own  words, 
'a  voice  louder  than  thunder,  telling  him  to  stay  his  hand,  and  he 
saw  hell ;'  and  now  his  foundation  of  Universalism  was  all  gone 
in  a  moment,  and  with  'death  staring  him  in  the  face'  he  began 
to  cry  aloud  for  mercy,  and  continued  to  do  so  all  day  and  all 
night,  and  all  the  next  day,  with  few  intermissions,  until  his  voice 
was  lost  in  death.  In  prison,  and  just  before  he  was  taken  out 
for  execution,  he  lamented  that  Universalism  had  so  long  de- 
ceived him ;  and  on  the  scaffold,  when  addressing  the  thousands 
before  him,  he  declared  that  Universalism  had  deluded  him, 
and  that  it  was  a  'doctrine  of  the  devil.'  Brother  Coryell,  on  the 
occasion,  addressed  the  people  by  way  of  exhortation,  warning 
them  according  to  the  suggestions  of  the  awful  spectacle  before 
them,  some  votaries  of  Universalism  taking  high  offense  at 
some  of  his  statements.  There  was  much  controversy  with  the 
Universalists  in  those  days." — Conahle,  History  of  Genesee 
Conference,  p.  271. 

The  appointments  to  the  circuit  were  the  following:  1808, 

Gideon  Draper;   1809,   5   1810,  George  Harmon,  Samuel 

Thompson;  181 1,  John  Kimberlin;  1812,  Loring  Grant,  Orin 
Doolittle;  1813,  Joseph  Hickcox,  Robert  Menshall;  1814,  James 
Gilmore,  Israel  Cook;  1815,  Ebenezer  Doolittle;  1816,  Israel 
Cook;  1817-18,  Isaac  Grant;  1819,  Abraham  Dawson;  1820, 
George  Peck;  1821,  John  D.  Gilbert;  1822,  EHsha  Bibbins;  1823, 
Hiram  G.  Warren,  Elisha  Bibbins ;  1824,  Joshua  Rogers,  Mark 
Preston;  1825,  Joshua  Rogers,  Sophronius  Stocking,  Joseph 
Castle;  1826,  Sophronius  Stocking,  J.  Castle,  J.  Pearsall ;  1827, 
John  Sayre,  Silas  Comfort;  1828,  John  Parker,  V.  M.  Coryell. 

Broome  Circuit 

Broome  Circuit  was  formed  in  1812,  from  the  northeastern  part 
of  Tioga  Circuit,  taking  its  name  from  Broome  County,  N.  Y. 
The  circuit  then  extended  across  the  Susquehanna  at  the  Great 
Bend.    According  to  Dr.  William  Round,  Mr.  King  formed  a 


Broome  Circuit 


45 


society  in  Gibson  in  1812  or  1813.  Its  members  were:  George 
Williams,  leader ;  Margaret  Bennet,  Sarah  Willis,  Susanna  Fuller, 
and  Jemima  Washburne. 

Statistics  of  those  days  bewilder  us.  At  the  end  of  the  first 
year  Elijah  King,  its  first  preacher  in  charge,  young  and  unor- 
dained,  reported  247  members.  Reports  for  18 13  gave  an  in- 
crease of  230  members,  1814  an  increase  of  175,  and  1815  a 
decrease  of  145. 

The  preachers  on  the  circuit  had  to  travel  from  three  hundred 
to  four  hundred  miles  and  preach  thirty-five  to  forty-five  times, 
taking  four  weeks  to  get  around  the  circuit. 

In  1816  Rev.  George  Peck  was  junior  preacher  on  this  circuit. 
We  quote  extensively  from  his  account  of  the  work  as  it  gives  so 
fine  a  description  of  the  circuit : 

"When  I  reached  the  bounds  of  the  circuit  I  found  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Bibbins,  containing  a  plan  of  the  appointments,  with  instruc- 
tions in  regard  to  roads  and  stopping  places.  I  was  to  visit  the 
lower  half  of  the  circuit  before  I  met  my  colleagues.  My  first 
preaching  place  was  at  Isaac  Page's,  five  miles  above  Chenango 
Point.  Notice  had  been  given,  and  I  had  a  large  congregation  in 
Mr.  Page's  barn.  Here  I  found  a  good  society  which  seemed  to 
be  prospering.  My  next  appointment  was  in  Osborn  Hollow, 
Sabbath  afternoon ;  the  third  in  Stilson  Hollow ;  the  fourth  at 
Richard  Lewis's,  on  the  Susquehanna,  near  the  present  Kirkwood 
Station,  on  the  Erie  Railroad.  Here  I  found  a  little  log  cabin,  not 
of  the  most  inviting  aspect.  The  good  woman  informed  me  that 
they  were  out  of  meat,  and  that  her  husband  had  gone  out  to  kill  a 
deer.  In  due  time  the  old  gentleman  returned,  having  succeeded 
in  running  a  deer  into  the  river,  where  he  shot  it.  It  was  now  the 
latter  part  of  July,  and  we  found  the  meat  anything  but  palatable. 
I  preached  to  about  half  a  dozen  poor  people,  led  the  class,  and 
then  answered  sundry  questions  in  regard  to  the  Conference.  My 
host  and  his  old  lady  were  from  Wales,  and  when  evening  came 
they  lighted  pine  knots,  stuck  them  between  the  stones  of  the 
fireplace,  and  began  to  sing  Welsh  hymns. 

"In  the  morning  I  rode  to  Jesse  Hale's,  some  six  miles  above 
Great  Bend.  Father  Hale  was  a  mighty  hunter.  In  fact,  he  came 
from  Vermont,  and  fixed  his  home  in  this  new  region  for  the 
purpose  of  pursuing  game  in  the  Harmony  Woods — the  great 
forest  which  then  stretched  from  the  Susquehanna  to  the  Dela- 
ware. He  slaughtered  about  a  hundred  deer  annually,  most  of 
which  he  sent  to  the  Philadelphia  market.  He  often  killed  bears 
and  elks,  as  well  as  a  great  variety  of  smaller  game,  of  the  flesh 


46 


Wyoming  Conference 


of  which  I  often  partook  at  his  table.  He  was  a  shrewd,  witty 
man.  He  was  the  father-in-law  of  Joseph  Smith,  the  Mormon 
prophet.  In  his  neighborhood  Smith,  at  least  in  one  version  of 
his  story,  professed  to  find  the  golden  plates  from  which  he  said 
he  translated  the  Book  of  Mormon.  He  made  love  to  Emma 
Hale,  and  finally  married  her,  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of  her 
friends.  Hale  himself  detested  Smith,  considering  him  an  im- 
postor and  a  knave. 

''Mr.  Hale  gave  me  a  cordial  reception,  and  in  the  afternoon  I 
preached  in  a  little  log  schoolhouse  to  a  small  but  earnest  congre- 
gation. When  I  w^as  in  the  midst  of  my  subject,  and,  perhaps, 
waxing  warm  therein,  a  young  woman  made  a  leap  in  the  air  and 
uttered  an  unearthly  scream,  which  startled  me,  and  came  near 
scattering  my  thoughts  and  bringing  my  sermon  to  a  premature 
end.  I  found  afterward  that  she  was  given  to  this  kind  of  pro- 
cedure. She  was  teaching  school  in  this  neighborhood,  and  the 
next  day,  when  my  path  lay  over  the  mountain  to  Windsor,  where 
her  residence  was,  she  must  needs  borrow^  a  saddle  horse  and  insist 
on  accompanying  me  as  guide.  Her  father,  now  deceased,  had 
been  a  deacon  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  no  one  was  at 
home  when  we  reached  her  house  but  her  mother,  a  genuine  old 
Jezebel,  who  came  hobbling  out  on  her  crutch  and  gave  me  a  blast 
of  wild  denunciation,  berating  the  Methodists  in  'good  set  terms,' 
and  heaping  upon  them  all  manner  of  angry  abuse.  The  situa- 
tion was  decidedly  novel. 

'T  rode  on  to  Higby  Hollow,  where  I  stayed  all  night  at  Father 
Higby's ;  and  the  next  morning,  which  was  the  Sabbath,  preached 
in  a  small  schoolhouse.  In  the  afternoon  I  preached  at  Randolph, 
where  was  one  of  the  strongest  societies  on  the  circuit.  My  course 
that  week  lay  in  an  irregular  line  through  portions  of  Broome 
and  Chenango  Counties.  The  appointments  for  preaching  were 
at  Merwin's,  Wedge's,  AUise's,  Higby's,  Elliott's,  and  Kimball's, 
and  then  on  Friday  evening  my  colleague  and  I  met  at  Page's,  on 
the  Chenango,  five  miles  above  Binghamton,  which  was  then  called 
Chenango  Point.  I  gave  Brother  Bibbins  an  account  of  my  ad- 
ventures, including  my  crossing  the  mountain  with  my  volunteer 
escort,  and  my  reception  at  her  mother's.  He  laughed  heartily  at 
this  part  of  my  recital,  and  remarked,  T  will  cure  that.'  What  he 
said  to  the  lady  I  do  not  know ;  but  on  my  next  round  I  crossed 
the  mountain  alone. 

"On  Saturday  I  set  off  on  the  northern  range  of  appointments, 
and  in  the  afternoon  reached  Smithville,  where  I  found  a  kind 
reception  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Grant,  the  father  of  my  friend. 


Jumping 


47 


Loring  Grant.  In  Dr.  Grant  and  his  wife  I  found  two  very  pious, 
intelligent,  sensible  people,  thoroughly  attached  to  our  Church, 
and  firm  friends  and  wise  counselors  of  the  Methodist  preachers. 
Sunday  morning  I  preached  at  Smithville,  in  a  private  house,  and 
in  the  afternoon  rode  to  Lee's  schoolhouse,  where  I  preached 
again. 

"Amanda  Hotchkiss  was  a  member  of  the  society  at  Lee's.  She 
was  a  very  tall  young  woman,  deeply  pious,  and  universally  re- 
spected, and  yet  somewhat  peculiar.  She  had  a  way  of  expressing 
joyous  religious  emotion  by  'jumping.'  Her  motions  were 
modest,  and  even  graceful.  She  moved  gently,  with  her  eyes 
closed,  occasionally  saying,  in  soft,  musical  tones,  'Glory  to  God.' 
The  preachers  did  not  wish  to  grieve  her  by  questioning  the  pro- 
priety of  her  exercises,  and  the  most  careless  of  the  wicked  would 
not  even  smile  at  them.  She  long  believed  that  she  could  not 
avoid  these  demonstrations,  and  that  they  were  the  result  of  divine 
power.  But  the  conviction  at  last  forced  itself  upon  her  mind  that 
these  movements  were  no  necessary  part  of  religion,  that  in  her 
case  they  were  partly  the  result  of  mere  habit,  and  that  they  were 
undesirable.  She  wholly  ceased  from  physical  demonstrations, 
and  yet  averred  that  she  enjoyed  closer  communion  with  God, 
and  more  solid  religious  happiness,  than  when  she  was  more 
demonstrative. 

"On  Monday  afternoon  I  preached  in  the  schoolhouse  at  Smith- 
ville Flats.  That  evening  I  lodged  at  the  house  of  a  man  whose 
wdfe  was  a  member  of  our  Church,  and  who  kept  a  little  store. 
During  the  evening  there  was  drinking  and  carousing  in  the 
store,  and  some  one,  evidently  intoxicated,  sung  a  vulgar  song. 
I  thoughtlessly  inquired  who  it  was.  Tt  is  my  husband,'  said  the 
lady,  with  painful  embarrassment  of  manner.  I  was  sorry  that  I 
had  asked  the  question.  The  noise  continued,  the  report  of  a  gun 
adding  to  the  uproar.  In  the  morning,  on  taking  down  my  saddle, 
which  I  had  hung  up  under  the  piazza,  I  found  that  a  musket 
ball  had  been  shot  through  it,  shattering  the  frame.  My  song- 
singing  host  did  not  make  his  appearance  that  morning.  I  com- 
plained of  the  outrage,  and  Dr.  Grant  and  my  colleague  were  so 
indignant  that  they  concluded  that  we  could  spend  our  time  to 
better  purpose  elsewhere.  There  had  been  good  congregations, 
but  no  society,  and  we  preached  there  no  more. 

"The  next  preaching  place  was  at  Squire  Hamilton's,  where  I 
preached  to  a  small  congregation,  and  was  kindly  entertained  by 
an  estimable  family.  Thence  I  went  to  McDonough,  where  I 
preached  in  the  comfortable  log  house  of  Mr.  Oisterbanks,  and 


48 


Wyoming  Conference 


received  a  cordial  welcome.  Next  I  preached  in  the  house  of 
Deacon  Punderson,  who  had  been  an  officer  in  the  War  of  the 
Revolution.  He  was  a  pious,  well-informed  man,  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  He  had  read  much,  and  had  a  strong,  sound 
mind,  and  was  one  of  the  few  whom  I  met  from  whose  conversa- 
tion I  always  expected  to  lea^n  something.  His  talk  was  to  me 
an  intellectual  feast.  His  children  were  Methodists,  and  he  was 
very  friendly  to  us. 

''From  this  place  I  went  to  Father  Widger's,  whom  I  found  a 
little  rough  on  the  surface,  but  a  man  of  generous  impulses,  with 
a  fine,  pleasant,  pious  family.  I  then  passed  through  the  village 
of  Oxford,  and  preached  at  David  Lyon's.  The  day  following  1 
preached  in  the  schoolhouse  near  Captain  Tillotson's,  with  whom 
I  lodged.  Neither  he  nor  his  wife  professed  religion,  but  they 
were  very  friendly  and  hospitable,  and  gave  us  a  good  home  when 
we  preached  in  their  neighborhood. 

"The  next  Sabbath  I  preached  in  the  morning  in  the  village 
of  Greene,  in  a  schoolhouse.  There  were  no  members  of  our 
Church  there  at  that  time.  In  the  afternoon  I  rode  six  or  eight 
miles,  and  preached  in  the  house  of  Benjamin  Jackson,  where  I 
found  a  good  society.  Monday  evening  I  preached  at  Lisle,  in  the 
house  of  Father  Whitney ;  Tuesday,  at  Father  Norton's,  Wednes- 
day, at  Henry  Palmer's,  in  what  is  now  called  Kattelville ;  Thurs- 
day, at  Orin  Seward's,  on  Potato. Creek ;  and  Friday  brought  me 
to  L  Page's,  where  I  again  met  my  colleague. 

'Thus  I  made  my  first  round  of  the  circuit,  having  traveled 
over  two  hundred  miles  and  preached  twenty-eight  times  in  four 
weeks.  There  was  not  a  church  on  the  circuit.  We  preached  in 
schoolhouses,  barns,  and  private  houses.  We  had  no  appoint- 
ment in  any  village  except  Greene,  which  was  then  small,  and  in 
which  we  had  no  society,  and  not  even  a  place  to  lodge.  In  those 
regions  Methodism  first  took  possession  of  the  sparsely  peopled 
country  neighborhoods.  There  were  on  Broome  Circuit  366 
members.  The  congregations  were  good,  often  crowding  the 
places  of  assemblage.  The  spirit  of  the  people  was  excellent,  and 
their  cordiality  and  warm  hospitality  greatly  encouraged  me." — 
Peck,  Life  and  Times,  pp.  66-72. 

In  the  early  days  of  Broome  Circuit  Nathaniel  Lewis,  a  local 
deacon,  was  a  prominent  character.  He  'Vas  rough  as  a  mountain 
crag,  but  deeply  pious.  He  could  read  his  Bible,  and  fathom 
the  human  heart,  particularly  its  developments  among  backwoods- 
men. He  was  fearless,  shrewd,  and  often  witty.  His  labors  were 
incessant  and  widely  extended." 


Nathaniel  Lewis 


49 


On  receiving  information  of  a  place,  some  distance  from  his 
home,  where  was  no  rehgioiis  worship,  he  visited  the  place,  can- 
vassed from  house  to  house,  and  invited  the  people  out  to  meeting. 
He  preached  from  "Ye  uncircumcised  in  heart  and  ears,  ye  do 
always  resist  the  Holy  Ghost."  The  sermon  was  with  power.  A 
great  revival  followed,  and  seventy  souls  were  saved. 

Several  interesting  stories  are  told  concerning  him.  One  Sab- 
bath morning,  in  the  year  1812  when  provisions  were  scarce,  he 
sat  reading  his  Bible  preparatory  to  preaching,  when  he  discovered 
a  deer  near  his  house.  He  took  down  his  gun,  shot  the  deer,  and 
after  dressing  it,  sent  portions  to  his  neighbors.  He  was  called 
to  account  before  the  church  for  breaking  the  Sabbath.  ''He 
pleaded  not  guilty.  He  asked  the  brethren  who  were  gravely 
remonstrating  with  him:  'What  do  you  suppose  the  Lord  sent 
that  deer  into  my  field  for?'  'Well,  I  suppose  it  was  to  try 
you,'  one  gravely  answered.  'No,  it  wasn't,'  replied  the  ac- 
cused, 'for  the  Lord  knows  that  when  he  sends  blessings  to 
me  I  don't  wait  until  the  next  day  before  I  take  them.' " 
He  was  acquitted. 

At  one  time,  while  preaching,  he  was  disturbed  by  some  disor- 
derly persons.  After  bearing  with  them  for  a  season  he  reproved 
them  by  calling  them  "a  hogmatical  set."  After  the  service  a 
local  preacher,  who  was  present  and  heard  the  rebuke,  hinted  to 
him  thai  he  had  made  use  of  a  wrong  word. 

"What  do  you  mean?"  he  asked. 

"Why,  hogmatical  is  not  a  proper  word,"  was  the  reply. 
"Yes,  it  is,"  replied  Mr.  Lewis ;  "you  have  heard  of  dogmatical, 
I  suppose?" 
"O  yes,  but—" 

"Well,"  interrupted  the  old  fox,  "you  can  shame  a  dog,  but  a 
hog  you  can't." 

This  ended  the  controversy.  "Uncle  Lewis  was  the  instrument 
of  the  awakening  of  many  souls." 

In  1883  this  circuit  disappeared  from  the  appointments.  Over 
twenty-four  charges  now  exist  within  its  bounds.  Henry  Street 
Church,  Binghamton,  being  the  first  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
built  within  its  bounds. 

The  circuit,  when  served  by  R.  S.  Rose,  was  as  follows : 
Kattelville,  a  schoolhouse  appointment;  Chenango  Forks,  a 
schoolhouse  appointment,  subsequently  the  Congregational  church 
was  used ;  Barker,  where  the  society  had  a  church ;  Castle  Creek, 
where  the  Presbyterian  church  was  used;  Frenches,  or  South 
Castle  Creek,  now  Glenwood,  a  schoolhouse  appointment;  Chest- 
4 


50 


Wyoming  Conference 


nut  Ridge,  where  a  schoolhouse  was  used.  Castle  Creek,  where 
the  parsonage  was  located,  was  the  head  of  the  circuit. 

The  circuit  was  served  by  the  following:  1812,  Elijah  King; 
1813,  George  W.  Densmore,  Peter  Jones;  1814,  George  W.  Dens- 
more,  1.  Chamberlin;  1815,  WilHam  Cameron,  Isaac  Grant,  as- 
sistant; 1816,  Elisha  Bibbins,  George  Peck;  1817,  Joshua  Rogers, 
John  Tooke;  1818,  Michael  Burge,  Peter  Baker;  1819,  John 
Arnold,  Belus  Shepherd;  1820,  Joshua  Rogers,  Caleb  Kendal; 
1821,  John  Griffin,  James  Hodge;  1822,  Hiram  G.  Warner;  1823, 
Horace  Agard,  John  Sayre;  1824,  Horace  Agard,  Solon  Stocking; 
1825,  Gaylord  Judd,  Mark  Preston;  1826,  Gaylord  Judd,  George 
Evans;  1827,  Philo  Barbary,  H.  P.  Barnes;  1828,  James  Kelsey; 
1829,  Hiram  G.  Warner,  Miles  H.  Gaylord;  1830,  Miles  H. 
Gaylord,  David  Torry ;  1831,  David  Torry;  1832,  supply;  1833, 
Joseph  Atwell;  1834,  Alonzo  Wood,  T.  D.  Wire;  1835,  Alonzo 
Wood,  L.  Salisbury;  1836,  Morgan  Ruger,  A.  Warren;  1837, 
S.  Stocking,  S.  Phinney;  1838,  Dr.  E.  G.  Bush;  1839-40,  George 
Evans;  1841-42,  Levi  Pitts,  C.  Burhngame;  1843-44,  Enos 
Puffer;  1845-46,  King  Elwell ;  1847-48,  T.  D.  Wire;  1849-50, 
R.  S.  Rose;  1851,  Joseph  Whitham,  William  Roberts;  1852, 
R.  Ingalls,  H.  T.  Avery;  1853,  J-  Grimes;  1854,  Lowell 
Harding,  supply;  i855-57(?);  1858,  William  Silsbee;  1859-60, 
S.  E.  Walworth;  1861,  L.  Pitts;  1862,  supply;  1863,  W.  P. 
Abbott;  1864,  P.  S.  Worden,  F.  L.  Hiller ;  1865,  P.  S.  Worden; 
1866-67,  G.  W.  Leach;  1868,  S.  W.  Lindsley;  1869-70,  L.  Pitts; 
1871-72,  E.  Sibley;  1873,  S.  W.  Spencer;  1874,  S.  F.  Ketcham; 
1875-76,  A.  Brigham;  1877-78,  C.  Sweet;  1879-81,  W.  B. 
Thomas;  1882,  B.  B.  Carruth. 

Bridgewater  Circuit 

In  1813  Bridgewater  Circuit  was  formed  from  the  northern 
portion  of  Wyoming  Circuit.  In  its  early  days  it  was  a  four- 
weeks'  circuit,  having  sixteen  or  eighteen  appointments.  In 
1830  it  contained  the  territory  now  comprising  Springville, 
Auburn,  Rush,  Fairdale,  Skinner's  Eddy,  Meshoppen,  Tunk- 
hannock.  West  Nicholson,  and  a  part  of  Montrose  charges,  the 
parsonage  being  at  Lymanville.  Gibson  was  in  this  circuit  in 
1819.  This  fact  and  the  following  quotations  will  give  something 
of  an  idea  of  its  early  extent,  and  the  times. 

In  1 8 14  Elisha  Bibbins  and  Wyatt  Chamberlin  were  on  the 
circuit.  "The  circuit  was  large,  and  the  preachers  labored 
earnestly  and  ably  for  the  good  of  the  people.    Hopbottom  was 


HOPBOTTOM 


51 


famous  for  the  zeal  and  spirituality  of  the  membership.  This 
was  the  center  of  the  circuit,  and  gave  tone  to  the  whole.  Some 
of  the  meetings,  to  the  eye  of  an  outsider,  were  scenes  of  confu- 
sion. There  was  much  of  holy  zeal  there,  but  a  little  mixed  up 
'with  something  like  fanaticism.  The  jumping  spirit  was  often 
witnessed  in  the  Hopbottom  society,  and  some  of  the  best  mem- 
bers, male  and  female,  were  occasionally  under  its  influence. 
When  much  excited  they  would  commence  moving  up  and  down, 
apparently  without  effort,  or  a  knowledge  of  what  they  were 
doing.  The  movement  was  perfectly  graceful,  and  yet  evidently 
unstudied.  It  was  one  of  the  phenomena  which  attended  the  great 
religious  excitements  of  early  Methodism. 

"Three  hundred  members  were  returned  upon  the  Minutes  at 
the  close  of  this  year." 

1816.  ''There  was  a  camp  meeting  in  September  of  this  year 
on  the  land  of  Edward  Paine,  in  Hopbottom,  Bridgewater  Circuit, 
which  we  attended.  This  was  'the  cold  summer,'  and  it  was  a 
season  of  scarcity  and  gloom.  Frost  had  destroyed  the  crops  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  and  the  prospects  of  living  appeared  dull 
and  doubtful.  The  nights  and  mornings  were  cold,  and  there 
scarcely  seemed  to  be  enough  of  the  fire  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the 
souls  of  the  people  to  counteract  the  chill  of  the  atmosphere.  Mr. 
Pearce,  the  presiding  elder,  preached  a  powerful  sermon  on  the 
evidences  of  Christianity  from  the  words  of  Nicodemus :  'We 
know  that  thou  art  a  teacher  come  from  God.'  A  few  souls  were 
converted,  and  some  Christians  quickened." 

1818.  Ebenezer  Doolittle  and  Edward  Paine  were  the  preach- 
ers. Doohttle  was  a  "considerable  scripturalist,"  but  without  tact. 
This  year  a  singular  preacher  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  by 
the  name  of  Solomon  Dimack,  began  to  attract  attention  along 
the  Susquehanna,  between  Tunkhannock  and  Wyalusing.  He 
broached  various  heresies,  which  Mr.  Doolittle  did  not  fail  to 
attack,  sword  in  hand.  This  brought  the  two  champions  to- 
gether, in  a  public  debate,  at  the  forks  of  the  Melioopany.  One 
of  the  questions  discussed  was  the  divinity  of  Christ.  Dimack 
maintained  that  "Christ  was  not  the  eternal  God,  but  the  eternal 
Son  of  God."  Doolittle  was  too  much  for  his  antagonist,  and  he 
was  finally  left  in  possession  of  the  field,  as  being  armed  with 
"too  much  human  larnin'  "  for  the  redoubtable  Dimack,  who  was 
only  "taught  in  the  school  of  Christ."  The  affair  made  a  great 
stir,  but  resulted  in  little  good.  The  orthodox  generally  con- 
sidered that  Doolittle  acquitted  himself  passably,  and  had  the 
decided  advantage  in  the  argument. 


I 


52  Wyoming  Conference 

1819.  "This  year  (1819)  the  preachers  on  Bridgewater  Cir- 
cuit were  George  Peck  and  Edward  Paine.  We  regarded  this 
circuit  with  a  sort  of  horror,  and  made  only  one  request  of  the 
presiding  elder,  and  that  was  not  to  be  appointed  to  Bridgewater 
Circuit.  When  the  appointments  were  read  off  we  felt  badly 
whipped.  Brother  Paine  was  in  raptures,  and  took  us  in  his 
arms  and  laughed  heartily.  Father  Kimberlin  seemed  to  delight 
in  torturing  us.  'O  George,'  exclaimed  he,  'you  will  starve  to 
death;  they  will  feed  you  on  sorrel  pie.'  The  young  wife  to 
whom  George  had  been  but  a  few  weeks  married  had  not  been 
used  to  living  on  'sorrel  pie,'  and  what  could  be  done  with  her? 
We  returned  from  Conference  with  a  heavy  heart. 

*Tt  was  a  year  of  great  trials,  but  of  some  triumphs.  It 
seemed  a  settled  fact  that  wherever  we  came  into  contact  with 
any  other  denomination  there  was  opposition  to  be  encountered. 
Methodism  had  been  long  in  existence  in  this  region  of  country, 
but  still  it  had  to  dispute  every  inch  of  ground,  and,  indeed,  efforts 
were  made  to  drive  it  from  ground  which  it  had  long  occupied. 

''The  class  in  Hopbottom  had  been  diminished  and  weakened 
by  removals,  and  here  we  met  with  active  hostility  from  Presby- 
terians and  Cniversalists.  Elder  Davis  Dimack  was  firmly  in- 
trenched in  his  stronghold  at  Montrose,  and  from  that  point 
spread  himself  as  widely  as  possible  in  all  directions;  and 
wherever  he  came  he  was  tolerably  sure  to  strike  a  blow  at 
Methodism.  We  heard  him  preach  on  a  week  day  in  Springville, 
and  were  chagrined  to  hear  him  fall  upon  'the  Methodists'  in  a 
style  of  misrepresentation  and  abuse.  The  occurrence  resulted 
in  a  voluminous  correspondence  between  us.  'Sol  Dimack,'  as  he 
was  familiarly  called,  vented  his  spleen  in  right  down  vulgar 
style.  We  heard  him  deliver  one  of  the  most  confused,  shapeless 
discourses  we  ever  listened  to ;  and  after  the  service  closed,  being 
introduced  to  him  by  a  mutual  friend,  had  a  regular  set-to  with 
him.  He  had  any  amount  of  confidence,  but  was  most  lamentably 
ignorant. 

"In  spite  of  all  the  opposing  elements,  we  had  seals  to  our  min- 
istry, and  a  rising  in  the  Church  at  all  points.  Our  excellent 
colleague  labored  faithfully,  and  did  much  good.  After  con- 
cluding the  labors  of  the  third  quarter  we  were  removed  to 
Wyoming  Circuit. 

"A  camp  meeting  was  held  just  before  Conference,  in  what  is 
now  called  Lyman ville,  which  we  attended.  Samuel  Budd  was 
present,  and,  in  his  slam-bang  way,  preached  and  exhorted  with 
considerable  effect.    Edward  Paine  delivered  a  most  thrilling 


An  Interesting  Conversion 


53 


exhortation  on  the  stand,  which  seemed  to  move  everything." — 
Peck,  History,  pp.  321-324. 

On  the  minutes  of  the  Quarterly  Conference,  held  September 
28,  1822,  appears  for  the  first  time  the  name  of  Joseph  Towner, 
as  exhorter.  Since  1819  he  had  been  a  class  leader.  This  man 
was  one  of  nature's  noblemen.  His  early  advantages  were  small, 
at  his  conversion  being  hardly  able  to  read  a  hymn.  By  perse- 
verance he  secured  a  fair  knowledge  of  the  English  language  and 
became  a  popular  and  useful  man.  For  many  years  he  traveled 
large  circuits.  He  gave  to  Wyoming  Conference  a  son.  Rev.  I.  P. 
Towner. 

In  1826  a  camp  meeting  was  held  in  Lyman's  Settlement, 
Springville.  Rev.  Philetus  Parkus,  preacher  in  charge,  was 
lying  upon  a  sick  bed  in  the  parsonage  in  the  neighborhood,  from 
which  he  went  to  his  home  on  high.  "The  circuit  was  deprived 
of  the  services  of  its  regular  pastor,  but  there  was  a  good  degree 
of  life  among  the  membership.  We  had  some  strong  sermons ; 
among  them  was  one  from  Mr.  Castle.  .  .  .  Rev.  Elisha  Cole, 
of  Towanda,  then  commonly  called  'Father  Cole,'  preached  a 
characteristic  discourse  from  the  'cloud  coming  up  from  the  sea 
the  bigness  of  a  man's  hand.'  In  treating  his  subject  he  said  he 
should  first  philosophize  it,  second  analogize  it,  and  third 
theologize  it.  It  was  a  singular  sermon,  but  quite  ingenious,  and 
not  without  practical  efifect. 

"There  were  many  interesting  cases  of  conversion  during  the 
meeting;  but  one  particularly  interested  us.  A  young  couple  at- 
tended ;  the  wife  was  awakened,  but  the  husband  seemed  as  hard 
as  stone.  He  undertook  to  force  his  wife  away  from  the  ground, 
but  she  was  so  deeply  affected  as  scarcely  to  be  able  to  support 
herself.  He  had  hard  work  to  get  her  along,  she  weeping,  and 
begging  him  to  let  her  remain  for  at  least  a  short  time.  He 
finally  said,  'You  may  stay  an  hour  if  that  will  do  you  any  good.' 
Several  preachers  were  standing  around,  to  whom  she  looked  im- 
ploringly, and  exclaimed,  'O,  do  pray  for  me  now,  right  azvay, 
for  the  time  is  precious ;'  and,  falling  on  her  knees,  she  began  to 
cry  mightily  to  God  for  mercy.  She  was  in  a  tent ;  her  husband 
took  a  seat,  and  she,  as  she  knelt,  laid  her  head  upon  his  knees. 
T^ervent  prayers  went  up  to  heaven,  and  before  the  hour  expired 
she  was  blessed.  She  arose,  and,  smiling,  said  to  her  husband, 
*Now  I  am  ready  to  go*  home.'  He  was  not  now  in  so  great  haste 
to  get  away,  but  remained  to  witness  the  songs  of  praise  and 
shouts  of  triumph  which  naturally  followed.  Before  the  meeting 
closed  he  sought  and  found  the  pearl  of  great  price. 


54 


Wyoming  Conference 


"A  high  degree  of  religious  interest  followed  the  camp  meeting 
in  Brooklyn,  the  place  formerly  called  Hopbottom.  Rev.  E.  Bib- 
bins  was  residing  there  at  the  time,  and  was  very  useful.  Accom- 
panied by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Castle,  we  visited  the  place  and  spent 
a  few  days  there.  At  an  afternoon  meeting  an  interesting  little 
girl  of  perhaps  ten  years  of  age  was  converted  and  was  very 
happy.  She  was  on  a  visit  to  her  uncle's,  James  Noble,  Esq.  Our 
friend  Bibbins  invited  us  to  attend  the  child  with  him  to  Mr. 
Noble's,  who  was  a  friend  to  the  Methodists,  but  not  a  professor 
of  religion.  We  were  anxious  to  witness  the  meeting  of  the 
uncle  and  niece,  having  no  idea  of  the  manner  in  which  she  would 
conduct  herself.  All  doubts  were  soon  settled,  for  the  moment 
she  saw  him  she  threw  her  arms  around  his  neck,  exclaiming, 
'O,  my  dear  uncle,  the  Lord  has  blessed  my  soul !'  Mr.  Noble 
was  evidently  taken  down.  He  blushed,  and  for  a  moment  hesi- 
tated, but  finally  responded,  'Has  he,  indeed  ?  I  am  very  glad ;' 
and  being  seated  he  took  her  in  his  arms,  and  struggled  hard 
against  the  emotions  of  his  soul.  The  sweet  face  of  the  little 
joyful  convert  was  bathed  in  tears,  but  they  were  tears  of  glad- 
ness. At  the  next  meeting  the  squire  came  down  upon  his  knees." 
— Peck,  History,  pp.  439,  440. 

The  old  brick  church,  about  two  miles  from  Meshoppen,  was 
the  first  church  to  be  built  on  the  Bridgewater  Circuit,  and  the 
Lymanville  church  the  second. 

In  1 84 1  the  circuit  name  was  changed  to  Springville. 

The  circuit  was  served  as  follows:  1813,  John  Hazzard,  Elijah 
Warren;  1814,  Elisha  Bibbins,  Wyatt  Chamberlin ;  1815,  James 
Hall,  Nathan  Dodson ;  1816,  Isaac  Grant;  1817,  Israel  Cook; 
181 8,  Ebenezer  DooHttle,  Edward  Paine;  18 19,  George  Peck, 
Edward  Paine;  1820,  John  Griffing;  1821,  Joshua  Rogers,  Hiram 
Moore;  1822,  Asa  Cummins,  Mark  Preston;  1823,  Caleb  Kendall, 
Sophronius  Stocking;  1824,  William  W.  Rundell,  S.  Stocking; 
1825,  Philetus  Parkus;  1826,  Philetus  Parkus,  John  Wilson; 
1827,  Joshua  Rogers,  Daniel  Torry;  1828,  Daniel  Torry,  Peter 
Wentze;  1829,  Silas  Comfort,  V.  M.  Coryell;  1830,  Joseph 
Towner,  C.  W.  Harris;  1831,  George  Evans;  1832,  George 
Evans,  ^I.  R.  Cushman ;  1833,  Benjamin  Ellis;  1834,  Benjamin 
Ellis,  S.  B.  Yarrington,  L.  S.  Bennett;  1835,  E.  Smith;  1836,  E.  B. 
Tenny,  C.  T.  Stanley;  1837,  E.  B.  Tenny,  A.  Benjamin;  1838, 
King  Elwell  Thomas  Wilcox;  1839,  King  Elwell,  Philo  Black- 
man;  1840,  William  Round,  William  Reddy. 


Controversial  Period 


55 


CHAPTER  III 
CONTROVERSIES 

Tke  early  days  of  Methodism  were  notable  for  two  things, 
fire  and  fight.  Men  were  zealous,  impassioned.  They  were  self- 
consumed,  Christ-absorbed.  Pentecost  came  again.  In  most 
places  Calvinism  had  a  footing.  Its  errors  must  be  attacked. 
Methodism  had  to  fight  for  standing  room.  The  doctrine  of  a 
limited  atonement  and  the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation  were 
fiercely  fought.  In  many  places  exclusive  immersionists  resisted 
the  zealous  expansionists  of  Arminianism.  Arianism  and 
spiritualism  were  at  times  antagonized.  In  those  days  there  were 
found  many  preachers  who  were  open  to  all  comers.  All  they 
asked  was  a  fair  field.  They  trusted  the  majestic  strength  of 
truth  to  win.  They  asked  for  no  quarter,  gave  none,  and  the 
fight  was  to  a  finish.  What  might  be  called  the  controversial  age 
of  Methodism  had  many  charms  about  it.  Controversies  upon 
platform  and  in  the  public  print  were  common.  The  writer  of 
these  Hues  can  recall  three  dififerent  debates  to  which  he  listened 
within  a  period  of  about  three  years  in  his  boyhood.  One  was 
between  a  Universalist  preacher  and  a  Methodist  pastor,  another 
between  a  spiritualist  medium  and  a  noted  physician  of  the 
Seneca  tribe  of  Indians,  and  the  other  between  an  infidel  lawyer 
and  a  Methodist  preacher.  This  Methodist  preacher  engaged  in 
seven  dififerent  debates,  championing  the  cause  of  Christianity. 
He  has  since  published  a  very  interesting  book  upon  Epidemic 
Delusions.  These  discussions  occurred  at  about  the  close  of  the 
controversial  period  of  our  history. 

Wyoming  Conference  had  its  champions  in  the  intellectual 
arena.  We  may  not  hope  to  chronicle  all  of  their  combats.  Many 
occurred  of  which  we  have  no  account  other  than  tradition,  and 
many  transpired  so  many  years  ago  that  even  this  source  of 
authority  would  be  of  little  value  save  to  prove  that  the  con- 
tests were  held.  We  have  some  definite  information  concerning 
some.  When  Dr.  George  Peck  was  presiding  elder  of  Susque- 
hanna District  from  1824-25  he  was  drawn  into  a  couple  of  dis- 
cussions. We  can  best  tell  the  story  by  quoting  the  account  from 
Dr.  Peck's  Life  and  Times: 

"The  Rev.  C.  R.  Marsh,  a  young  Universalist  preacher  from 


56 


Wyoming  Conference 


New  England,  had  been  settled  at  Hopbottom  in  charge  of  a  con- 
gregation of  that  faith.  Zealous  and  confident,  he  began  the  pub- 
lication of  a  magazine  entitled  The  Candid  Examiner,  and  opened 
his  battery  upon  the  'limitarians,'  generously  ofifering  them  space 
in  his  columns  to  defend  themselves  if  they  could.  These  banters 
were  annoying  to  our  people,  and  were  commented  on  by  others, 
and  I  began  occasionally  to  hear  the  inquiry,  'Why  does  not  ^Ir. 
Peck  meet  Mr.  Alarsh  in  his  magazine,  if  he  thinks  that  he  can 
sustain  his  doctrine?'  I  resolved,  at  length,  to  accept  the  chal- 
lenge, and  addressed  to  the  editor  a  note  to  that  effect,  signing  it 
'Observer.'  He  gave  me  a  cordial  reception,  and  made  profuse 
promises  of  fair  play.  I  wrote  five  papers,  embracing  the  main 
points  of  the  controversy.  Tl^ese  were  published  in  successive 
numbers  of  the  magazine,  the  editor  replying  to  each  in  the  same 
number.  He  evidently  assumed  that  I  was  a  Calvinist,  and  con- 
structed his  replies  accordingly.  When  I  began  my  rejoinder  he 
discovered  that  he  had  aimed  his  guns  in  the  wrong  direction, 
and  that  his  ammunition  had  been  wasted.  He  found  that  his 
arguments  were  not  valid  against  a  ]\Iethodist.  He  began  to 
delay  my  articles,  and  finally  declined  to  publish  any  more  of 
them.  I  wrote  him  a  letter  on  the  subject,  and  my  friends,  in 
vain,  called  on  him,  and  at  last  he  discontinued  his  magazine  alto- 
gether. IMy  letters  were  published  in  a  large  pamphlet  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  in  1827.  .   .  . 

''While  the  Universalist  debate  was  pending,  another  assailant, 
whose  name  was  also  ]\Iarsh,  came  out  for  battle.  He  appeared 
as  the  champion  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Divine  Unity,  and  felt 
called  to  attack  Trinitarians  everywhere.  His  assaults  attracted 
considerable  attention  in  Kingston,  and  the  region  round  about, 
and  some  of  the  less  intelligent  of  our  people  began  to  be  dis- 
turbed. Happening  to  meet  him  one  day,  we  had  some  conversa- 
tion, in  which  he  told  me  frankly  that  he  intended  to  make  war 
upon  the  errors  of  the  Methodists  until  he  rooted  them  out.  I 
remarked  that  I  would  like  to  hear  him  speak.  This  seemed  to 
please  him,  and  he  immediately  published  an  appointment  in  the 
old  academy  at  Kingston,  and  set  afloat  the  idea  that  we  were 
to  have  a  debate.  The  evening  came,  and  a  crowd,  and  the  ser- 
mon, which  was  two  hours  long.  At  the  conclusion  Mr.  Marsh 
turned  to  me  and  invited  me  to  reply.  I  declined  to  do  it  at  that 
late  hour,  but  named  a  day,  to  which  he  agreed. 

"From  certain  signs  I  inferred  that  my  assailant  was  a  man  of 
quotations  only.  I  suspected  that  the  pond  by  which  he  ran  his 
controversial  mill  was  small  and  not  very  deep.  Examining 


Wyatt  and  Spiritualism 


57 


Millard's  little  book  on  the  Unitarian  controversy,  I  found  all 
Mr.  Marsh's  arguments,  and  nearly  all  his  language.  I  prepared 
my  answer  accordingly,  and  when  the  time  came,  put  Millard's 
work  in  my  pocket,  and  carried  to  the  place  a  half  dozen  other 
books,  which  I  placed  upon  the  desk.  My  opponent  was  invited 
to  take  a  seat  with  me,  and  did  so,  but  seemed  to  look  at  my 
books  with  apprehension. 

''After  prayer,  and  a  brief  introduction,  I  remarked  that  I  had 
taken  no  notes  of  the  discourse  to  which  I  was  about  to  reply, 
but  that  I  had  it  in  a  little  book.  As  I  drew  it  from  my  pocket, 
and  named  the  author,  Mr.  Marsh,  who  was  sitting  at  the  desk 
facing  the  audience,  gave  evident  tokens  of  dismay  and  consterna- 
tion. The  wound  was  mortal.  I  spoke  an  hour  and  a  half,  and 
then  gave  the  gentleman  an  opportunity  to  reply.  He  triSd  to  do 
so ;  but  it  was  clear  that  he  knew  nothing  of  the  question  beyond 
his  single  author,  and  when  Millard  was  answered  Marsh  was 
confounded.  The  audience  began  to  laugh,  and  we  retired.  In  a 
few  days  he  left  the  region,  and  I  saw  him  no  more." 

In  1850  Cassius  H.  Harvey  was  appointed  to  Honesdale.  Dur- 
ing the  year  he  was  led  into  spiritualism.  He  went  so  far  as  to 
invite  mediums  to  the  parsonage,  and  seances  were  held  there. 
He  allowed  himself  to  advocate  some  of  the  doctrines  of  spiritual- 
ism from  his  pulpit.  In  185 1  he  was  appointed  to  Wyoming,  and 
instructor  in  Wyoming  Seminary.  At  the  Conference  of  1852, 
when  Wyoming  was  organized,  he  was  tried  for  heresy  and  sus- 
pended from  all  official  relation  to  the  Church.  He  settled  in 
Kingston,  and  did  not  abide  by  the  action  of  Conference,  but  con- 
tinued to  exercise  ministerial  functions.  He  was  accordingly 
expelled  from  the  Church.  He  gave  himself  without  restraint  to 
the  spiritualistic  movement.  He  went  so  far  as  to  claim  that 
spirits  had  communicated  the  information  that  so  far  as  he  was 
concerned  the  seventh  commandment  had  been  repealed.  This 
much,  simply  that  one  may  better  understand  the  following 
history. 

Rev.  William  Wyatt  was  pastor  at  Carbondale  for  two  years, 
1852-53.  During  the  first  year  a  burdensome  debt  was  raised 
and  a  remarkable  revival  followed,  in  which  over  two  hundred 
were  converted  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  The  following  year  was  made  memorable  by 
his  valiant  fight  with  spiritualism.  Let  Father  Wyatt  tell  the 
story : 

"Rev.  Cassius  H.  Harvey  moved  to  Carbondale  [in  the  latter 
part  of  1852  or  early  part  of  1853]         introduced  spiritualism 


Wyoming  Conference 


among  the  people.  And  on  our  return  to  the  charge  the  second 
year  we  had  to  contend  with  those  most  singular  and  unique 
manifestations,  said  to  be  from  the  spirit  world.  A  large  number 
of  the  young  converts  and  some  of  the  more  prominent  members 
of  the  church  embraced  these  sentiments,  believing  that  they  could 
hold  intercourse  with  departed  spirits.  The  Bible  was  well-nigh 
abandoned  while  they  had  daily  communications  right  from 
heaven. 

''Communications  were  received  not  only  from  deceased 
friends,  but  from  the  distinguished  dead  of  all  ages  and  nations. 
They  claimed  to  move  tables  and  throw  them  out  of  the  windows ; 
to  mark  passages  and  fold  down  leaves  in  the  Bible ;  to  write 
autographs  and  tell  all  our  past  history.  I  posted  handbills  about 
town,  in-viting  the  people  to  come  to  the  Methodist  church  next 
Sunday  evening,  and  hear  what  we  had  to  say  to  them  on  the 
subject  of  spiritualism.  They  came  out  and  filled  the  house ; 
there  were  about  twenty  mediums  present ;  they  came  from  every 
part  of  the  city  and  from  all  classes  of  citizens,  believers  and  un- 
believers. The  mediums  went  into  their  tantrums,  bowed  their 
heads,  and  got  the  jerks  and  mesmeric  influence  upon  them, 
prepared  to  receive  any  communication  the  spirits  had  to  make 
to  them. 

'T  began  my  lecture  by  saying :  'We  have  all  heard  of  the  great 
leap  in  Rhodes,  but  we  prefer  to  see  it  for  ourselves,  for  that 
which  has  been  done  can  be  done  again,  and  we  are  now  ready 
for  communications  and  demonstrations.  The  house  is  beauti- 
fully lighted  in  every  part,  and  the  good  people  of  the  city  are 
all  here  to  guard  well  every  act,  so  there  can  be  no  collusion.  It 
is  too  late  in  the  day  for  you  to  say  that  in  the  dark,  with  the 
lights  all  out,  the  spirits  move  the  tables  and  make  raps  and  write 
autographs.  This  people  are  not  going  to  crawl  ofif  into  the  dark, 
under  tables  and  chairs,  to  witness  these  demonstrations ;  we  are 
here  openly  and  before  all  the  people,  to  witness  and  receive  any 
new  and  great  truths  you  have  to  communicate. 

"  'And  now  we  demand,  we  challenge,  these  spirits  who  have 
set  all  Carbondale  in  an  uproar,  to  come  out  openly  before  the 
community,  and  do  these  things,  or  else  acknowledge  that  the 
whole  thing  is  a  humbug,  as  it  is ;  and  thereafter,  and  forever, 
let  us  hear  no  more  of  it.  Here  is  a  pen,  and  ink,  and  paper — 
now  write,  zvrite  an  autograph ;  write  it  quickly,  or  else  acknowl- 
edge you  never  did  it,  and  it  cannot  be  done.  If  you  have  done  it, 
you  can  do  it  again.  The  mediums  are  all  here,  and  the  influence 
is  upon  them,  and  the  spirits  are  here — all  things  are  now  ready 


Wyatt  and  Spiritualism 


59 


for  action,  and  we  wait  patiently  to  see  it.  Here  stands  the  table, 
take  it  up  as  you  say  you  have  been  wont  to  do,  and  dash  it  out 
of  this  large  window  without  hands ;  I  will  repair  the  window, 
and  pay  all  expenses.  Then  here  is  the  Bible;  let  some  one  of 
these  old  prophets  who  understands  these  Scriptures  come  for- 
ward and  mark  a  passage,  and  turn  down  a  leaf,  so  we  can  see 
him  do  it,  or  see  that  he  has  done  it.  The  fact  is,  ladies  and  gen- 
tlemen, these  raps  and  strange  noises,  this  tipping  of  tables,  and 
writing  of  names,  are  all  manufactured  to  order,  and  the  work 
of  human  hands ;  the  spirits  have  nothing  to  do  with  them.' 

*'Mr.  Harmon  Chambers,  sitting  in  the  gallery,  rose  and  said : 
T  will  give  you  ten  dollars  if  you  will  detect  a  medium,  that  I 
will  bring  you,  in  making  the  raps.'  I  told  him  to  bring  him 
along  and  it  should  be  as  he  desired.  Next  day  he  brought  a  man 
to  my  house  by  the  name  of  Corby,  one  of  the  greatest  mediums 
of  the  place.  I  turned  to  him  and  said :  'Mr.  Corby,  do  you 
make  these  raps?'  He  said,  'No,  certainly  not.'  I  then  said, 
'Gentlemen,  if  you  please,  we  will  walk  down  to  Alderman  Root's 
office.'  This  took  them  by  surprise,  yet  reluctantly  they  went 
with  me.  I  said  to  the  alderman,  'You  will  please  administer  the 
oath  according  to  law,  to  this  young  gentleman,  for  there  is  an 
important  matter  that  he  is  about  to  communicate,  honestly  and 
truly,  to  the  court.'  And,  being  under  oath,  I  then  said  to  Mr. 
Corby :  'It  is  now  expected  that  you  will  tell  the  truth,  the  whole 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  as  you  have  sworn,  so  help  me 
God,  or  abide  the  consequences.  Mr.  Corby,  have  you  in  no  case 
made  these  raps?'  He  felt  the  force  of  the  circumstances,  and 
saw  at  once  that  he  was  caught  in  the  web  of  deception,  which  he 
had  woven  for  another.  He  said,  'Mr.  Wyatt,  I  will  say  nothing 
about  it,'  took  his  hat,  and  left  the  house.  He  had  an  instrument 
in  the  toe  of  his  boot  by  which  he  made  the  raps,  and  imposed 
upon  the  people.  Mr.  Chambers  acknowledged  that  I  had  fairly 
and  honestly  detected  his  medium  in  the  fraud,  and  paid  over  the 
ten  dollars,  which  I  gave  to  the  poor  of  Carbondale  city. 

"I  had  written  several  articles  for  the  paper,  exposing  the  ab- 
surdity of  the  whole  matter,  and  warning  our  people  to  come  out 
of  it,  and  let  it  alone,  for  it  was  certain  that  nothing  good  would 
ever  come  of  it.  I  had  closed  several  articles  with  a  postscript. 
A  Mr.  S.  [James  Stott],  who  was  not  present  at  the  meeting 
Sunday  night — for  he  seldom  went  to  church — published  an 
article  the  next  day  in  which  he  said :  He  could  see  no  use  for 
my  many  postscripts,  unless  it  was  as  tales  for  kites;  he  thought 
they  might  be  useful  for  that  purpose,  and  referred  to  the  meet- 


6o 


Wyoming  Conference 


ing,  that  was  now  the  common  talk  of  the  people,  as  a  regular 
bear-garden  performance,  and  closed  up  with  a  general  denuncia- 
tion of  myself,  and  said,  'I  go  in  for  such  men  as  Lord 
Swedenborg.' 

"1  wrote  a  reply  to  the  article,  in  which  I  stated  that  nothing 
better  could  be  expected  of  Mr.  S.  than  that  he  should  denominate 
these  Christian  churches  and  divine  services  'bear-garden  per- 
formances.' Then,  as  he  was  calling  so  loudly  for  Lord  Sweden- 
borg, I  stated  that  he  was  represented  in  his  works  as  traveling 
in  the  spheres,  in  company  with  men  who  were  wrapped  in  bear- 
skins, with  their  hats  under  their  arms,  riding  on  horses  without 
any  tails,  and  stated  that  as  ^Ir.  S.  was  rapidly  approaching  the 
noble  lord,  and  as  we  would  not  have  him  singular  in  the  spheres, 
he  might  have  a  few  of  my  postscripts  to  supply  the  desideratum. 
For  I  thought  it  would  be  a  sad  misfortune  for  two  such  dis- 
tinguished men  as  Mr.  S.  and  Lord  Swedenborg  to  ride  horses 
in  that  glorious  land  with  no  tails^  and  that  kite  tails  under  such 
circumstances  might  be  better  than  none.  This  turned  completely 
the  burlesque  and  ridicule  upon  him,  just  as  he  deserved;  he 
made  no  more  attacks  upon  me,  and  I  let  him  alone. 

"They  challenged  me  to  meet  a  certain  lady  medium,  and  detect 
if  possible  any  fraud  in  her  communications.  A  circle  convened 
at  a  house  near  the  parsonage,  which  I  attended ;  this  medium  sat 
in  the  center  of  the  room.  I  took  a  seat  by  her  side;  all  closed 
their  eyes  as  though  engaged  in  the  act  of  devout  prayer,  expect- 
ing every  moment  the  coming  of  the  invisible  ones  from  the 
spirit  land.  Mr.  Chambers  called  on  me  to  lead  in  prayer.  I 
said,  'No,  sir ;  I  have  not  come  to  pray,  but  to  watch.'  I  knew 
very  well  that  if  we  should  bow  down  for  prayer  there  would  be 
raps  enough  before  we  were  through.  She  sprang  to  her  feet, 
and  said  to  me,  'Do  you  think,  sir,  I  am  going  to  make  these 
raps?'  'Most  certainly  I  do,  madam,'  was  the  reply.  She  took 
herself  into  another  room  as  fast  as  possible,  and  nothing  more 
was  seen  of  her  while  I  remained  in  the  house.  They  told  me  the 
spirits  would  not  come  while  I  was  there;  but  as  soon  as  I  left 
George  Washington  came  and  they  had  a  great  time.  I  told  them 
George  Washington  must  have  greatly  degenerated  in  the  spirit 
land,  for  when  he  was  here  he  certainly  never  was  afraid  of  a 
poor  Methodist  preacher. 

"These  things  set  the  people  thinking  a  little,  and  seemed  to 
check  for  the  time  being  the  progress  of  the  fearful  scourge.  The 
spirits  became  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  their  work,  and  sum- 
moned a  convention  at  one  of  the  largest  halls  in  the  city  on 


Wyatt  and  Spiritualism 


6i 


Saturday  evening.  The  spirit  of  old  Lorenzo  Dow  sent  word  to 
me  to  be  present,  directing  that  the  message  be  given  to  me 
precisely  at  four  o'clock  p.  m.  The  messenger  who  brought  it  to 
me  gravely  took  out  his  watch,  and  said,  Tf  my  time  is  right  it  is 
just  the  minute.'  I  took  my  seat  in  the  hall,  at  an  early  hour, 
with  pencil  and  paper  in  hand,  ready  to  take  notes.  It  was 
given  out  that  there  would  be  manifestations  and  developments 
from  the  spirit  world,  such  as  had  never  been  known  in  any  age 
since  the  world  was — manifestations  of  a  convincing  character, 
that  would  fully  establish  the  truth  of  the  reign  and  government 
of  the  spirits.  We  watched  carefully  all  their  movements,  their 
mummeries  and  fooleries,  until  four  o'clock  on  the  Lord's  Day 
morning.  There  were  many  of  my  members  there,  on  whom  I 
had  leaned  at  the  altar  in  getting  sinners  converted,  and  in  build- 
ing up  and  establishing  the  Church  in  her  most  holy  faith.  And 
here,  too,  was  a  large  number  of  our  young  converts,  over  whom 
we  had  wept  and  prayed,  and  who  had  just  been  plucked  as 
brands  from  the  burning,  and  started  in  the  way  to  heaven. 

"But  the  spirits  notified  the  audience,  after  I  left,  that  it  was 
utterly  impossible  for  them  to  make  any  great  demonstration 
before  me,  as  I  was  so  full  of  unbelief.  Hence  the  whole  matter 
had  been  a  failure,  and  they  must  try  and  have  it  over  again  with- 
out me.  The  name  of  the  spirits  about  that  house  was  legion,  and 
not  a  few  from  whom  I  had  a  right  to  expect  better  things.  I 
returned  home,  took  a  short  nap,  and  went  into  my  pulpit,  and 
lifted  up  my  voice  against  the  whole  matter,  and  in  the  evening 
again  we  cried  aloud,  and  spared  not,  lifting  up  our  voice  like  a 
trumpet,  'showing  to  the  house  of  Israel  their  sins,  and  to  the 
house  of  Judah  their  transgressions.'  The  next  day,  the  editors 
sent  around  for  a  copy  of  my  report  for  publication.  It  was  the 
one  absorbing  topic  of  the  city,  engaging  every  man's  attention. 

*'We  had  seen  error  and  heresy  before,  but  we  had  never  seen 
a  creature  with  such  vast  proportions  as  this,  born  and  matured 
in  a  single  day.  We  thought  spiritualism  at  first  of  little  account, 
and  worthy  of  little  attention;  but  in  its  developments  we  were 
taken  wholly  by  surprise,  and  wrapped  our  mantle  about  our  face, 
and  stood  amazed  in  the  entrance  of  the  church,  where  we  had 
witnessed  such  wonderful  displays  of  saving  grace,  a  little  while 
before.  And  the  wind  blew,  the  strong  wind  of  spiritualism  that 
rent  the  mountains ;  but  God  was  not  in  the  wind. 

"Then  the  fire  came  with  power  to  wither,  and  scorch,  and 
blacken  all  it  touched ;  but  God  was  not  in  the  fire.  And  after 
the  fire,  the  earthquake  that  shook  the  Church  to  its  foundations, 


62 


Wyoming  Conference: 


so  we  really  thought  for  a  time  that  it  would  go  down,  and  be 
utterly  ruined,  that  no  power  could  save  it;  but  God  was  not  in 
the  earthquake. 

''Then,  after  the  earthquake,  came  the  still  small  voice,  the 
whisperings  from  the  valley,  and  from  the  hilltop,  from  dark 
rooms  under  tables  and  chairs,  through  windows  and  doors,  the 
whisperings  of  the  invisible  spirits ;  but  God  was  not  in  that,  nor 
any  part  of  it ;  it  was  the  work  of  the  devil,  the  whole  of  it,  from 
the  first  to  the  last,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end;  of  this  we 
have  never  entertained  a  doubt. 

"The  tendency  of  spiritualism  was  to  no  good — moral,  physical, 
nor  intellectual.  There  was  not  the  shadow  of  orthodoxy,  of 
Bible  theology  and  religion,  about  it ;  but  infidelity  of  the  broad- 
est, rankest  kind.  Universalism,  Deism,  and  Swedenborgianism 
were  the  principles  of  the  system.  Then  the  direct  tendency  of 
the  whole  was  to  licentiousness,  free  love,  the  violation  of  the 
marriage  covenant,  and  the  seventh  commandment. 

"Some  thought  our  measures  were  severe;  be  it  so;  a  desperate 
disease  requires  a  desperate  remedy.  We  threw  ourselves  into 
the  breach,  and  faced  the  storm,  declaring  openly,  and  constantly, 
that  it  was  a  senseless  humbug,  and  the  handiwork  of  the  devil, 
to  destroy  these  young  converts  and  break  up  the  Church.  And 
very  soon  the  people  began  to  see  that  we  were  right,  and  turned 
a  cold  shoulder  to  the  whole  thing,  and  spiritualism  took  its  place 
with  the  necromancy  and  legerdemain  of  the  dark  ages.  The 
young  converts  were  rescued,  and  the  Church  was  redeemed  and 
saved. 

"We  had  written  an  article  for  one  of  the  city  papers,  every 
week,  which  largely  increased  its  circulation,  for  the  excitement 
was  universal,  and  the  controversy  was  circulated  and  read  all 
over  the  country. 

"We  had  ignored  Harvey,  the  man  who  introduced  the  trouble 
among  us,  entirely,  and  made  no  sort  of  reference  to  him.  But  he 
was  telling  his  friends,  T  will  let  Wyatt  alone  until  he  gets  done ; 
then  I  will  walk  right  straight  through  him,  and  annihilate  him.' 
And  when  w^e  had  finished  he  opened  fire  upon  us.  No  person 
replied  to  him.  And  that  was  the  last  we  heard  of  Harvey,  or  his 
miserable  'ism.'  It  was  completely  dead ;  twice  dead,  and  plucked 
up  by  the  roots.  Then  had  the  churches  rest,  roundabout,  and 
we  took  up  our  role  where  we  laid  it  dovvn,  and  went  on  with 
our  pastoral  work  as  aforetime.  It  was  the  hardest  fought  battle 
and  the  greatest  triumph  of  my  life." 

Fifty  years  have  passed  since  this  battle.    Its  memory  is  still 


Peck-Miller  Controversy 


63 


fresh  in  the  minds  of  many.  The  victory  was  complete,  un- 
doubtedly the  greatest  moral  victory  the  city  has  ever  seen. 
Blessings  upon  Father  Wyatt's  memory ! 

In  November,  1858,  a  discussion  was  held  at  Strait's  Corners, 
Tioga  County,  N.  Y.,  between  Rev.  J.  K.  Peck,  of  Wyoming,  and 
Rev.  J.  J.  Miller,  a  preacher  of  the  Christian  Church,  J.  K.  Peck 
affirming  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  and  J.  J.  Miller  denying. 
The  discussion  lasted  three  evenings.  It  was  brought  about  by 
two  young  men,  living  near  Strait's  Corners,  who  had  been 
arguing  the  question  for  some  time  in  a  friendly  manner,  until 
finally  they  agreed  each  to  choose  a  man  and  let  the  two  thus 
chosen  debate  the  question  in  public.  One  chose  J.  K.  Peck, 
then  preaching  at  Candor,  and  the  other  chose  J.  J.  Miller.  The 
question  as  agreed  upon  was  undoubtedly  formulated  by  Brother 
Peck,  and  read  as  follows :  ''Do  the  Scriptures  teach  the  doctrine 
that  God  exists  in  three  persons?"  In  arranging  the  preliminaries 
the  disputants  agreed  to  the  following:  i.  Neither  Greek  nor 
Latin  nor  Hebrew  shall  be  quoted  in  the  debate.  2.  We  will 
select  three  judges — each  one,  and  one  between  us  to  keep  time 
and  order.  3.  There  shall  be  also  a  moderator.  4.  We  will  speak 
twenty  minutes  alternately.  5.  While  speaking  we  shall  have  no 
interference.  6.  We  will  discuss  the  question  in  the  Christian 
meetinghouse.  On  the  evening  when  the  debate  opened  these 
officers  were  agreed  upon  and  announced :  Moderator,  A.  J. 
Welton  (Christian)  ;  judges.  Elder  Tyler  (Christian),  Elder 
Emory  (Baptist),  E.  S.  Beck  (Christian). 

The  debate  was  ably  conducted  by  Brother  Peck.  He  built  up 
a  very  strong  argument  from  Scripture,  quoting  a  large  number 
of  passages  in  support  of  his  positions.  He  was  courteous  in  his 
treatment  of  his  opponent,  avoided  slang  or  bufifoonery,  and 
manifested  skill  in  replying  to  the  criticisms  of  his  antagonist. 
At  the  close  of  the  debate  a  vote  of  the  audience  was  taken  which 
gave  the  debate  to  the  affirmative  by  a  vote  of  118  to  30.  A 
further  vote  revealed  the  fact  that  two  had  been  converted  to 
Mr.  Peck's  side  and  one  to  Mr.  Miller's  side. 

Some  time  after  the  debate  an  octavo  pamphlet  of  sixty-three 
pages  was  published  by  the  Rev.  J.  K.  Peck  giving  the  arguments 
as  they  were  made  by  both  debaters.  The  victory  was  manifestly 
his — so  considered  at  the  time  in  the  section  where  it  occurred. 
The  pamphlet  is  conclusive  evidence  of  the  fact.  We  quote 
Brother  Peck's  account  of  the  debate :  'T  once  went  onto  a 
brother's  charge  to  defend  the  doctrine  of  the  Holy  Trinity 
against  an  Arian  minister  who  was  spoiling  to  pulverize  some 


64 


Wyoming  Conference 


Methodist  divine.  I  went  into  the  neighborhood  and  found  him 
top-loftical,  booted,  and  spurred.  He  would  stick  the  hair  up  on 
top  of  his  head  and  look  daggers.  He  even  thought  I  wanted  to 
back  out,  and  intimated  as  much.  But  I  had  no  inclination  to 
back  out.  I  even  agreed  to  try  the  gauge  of  battle  in  his  nice 
new  church.  We  had  none  in  the  neighborhood.  The  time  came, 
and  the  church  was  lighted  up  and  was  soon  filled  with  eager 
persons  to  witness  the  fray.  I  made  the  first  speech,  and  when  I 
sat  down  he  commenced  to  pulverize  me.  After  three  evenings 
of  contention  in  high  debate  he  was  confident  that  somebody  was 
pulverized,  and  he  was  half  afraid  it  was  himself,  and  I  was  sure 
it  was  not  I.  The  audience  decided  that  he  had  been  squelched 
and  annihilated.  I  left  him  in  his  own  pulpit  with  his  hair  hang- 
ing down  over  his  eyes,  an  utterly  discouraged  man.  He  never 
undertook  again  to  annihilate  the  Methodist  Church.  Our 
society  has  been  growing  right  there  ever  since,  and  we  have  two 
nice  churches  and  a  parsonage,  while  there  is  not  now  left  a  grease 
spot  of  the  former  flourishing  Christian  society.  The  house  is 
still  there,  and  that  is  all." 

About  thirty-five  years  afterward  Brother  Peck  visited  the 
scene  of  this  victory.  He  found  the  church  in  which  the  debate 
was  held  unused,  and  fast  going  into  decay.  He  brought  away 
with  him  an  arm  rest  from  the  end  of  a  pew,  as  a  reminder  of 
past  battles  fought  and  won. 

Probably  the  most  unique  debate  in  the  history  of  Methodism 
occurred  in  Decatur,  N.  Y.,  when  A.  E.  Daniels  was  pastor  at 
that  place.  The  debate  was  on  the  question  of  baptism,  and  was 
between  Mr.  Daniels  and  a  Baptist  clergyman.  Mr.  Daniels 
stipulated  that  during  the  debate  he  was  to  have  twenty  minutes 
at  the  close  of  each  one  of  his  speeches  in  which  to  exhort  sinners 
to  repent.  His  method  in  debate  was  to  first  give  a  history  of  the 
doctrine,  follow  this  by  an  exegesis  of  Scripture  on  the  question, 
and  finally  state  the  position  of  our  church  on  the  question, 
paying  but  little  attention  to  his  opponent.  Never  did  his  rugged 
intellect  work  to  better  advantage.  His  intensity  of  soul  was 
striking,  and  his  exhortations  overwhelming.  The  debate  closed 
with  a  great  revival  in  progress,  w^hicli  moved  on  until  over  two 
hundred  souls  vv^ere  converted.  We  doubt  whether  this  can  be 
duplicated  in  the  history  of  controversies  anywhere. 


Carmel  Grove 


65 


CHAPTER  IV 
CAMP  MEETINGS 
BiNGHAMTON  DISTRICT 

Carmel  Grove 

Prior  to  the  purchase  of  the  grove  at  Hooper,  camp  meetings 
within  the  bounds  of  the  present  Binghamton  District  were  migra- 
tory. In  September,  1850,  a  camp  meeting  was  held  at  Heart 
Lake,  where  one  had  been  held  several  years  before.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1 85 1,  a  meeting  was  held  on  Bos  well  Hill,  near  Union, 
and  near  Father  Boswell's.  This  meeting  was  for  the  Newark 
District.  In  185 1  and  1852  meetings  were  held  in  the  town  of 
Conklin,  Broome  County,  on  land  belonging  to  Thomas  Bound, 
three  miles  north  of  Great  Bend  and  two  miles  east  of  Conklin. 
In  June,  1853,  ^^e  camp  meeting  was  held  in  Maine,  nine  miles 
above  Union,  on  land  owned  by  Mrs.  Rhoda  Lewis.  In  August, 
1854,  the  meeting  was  held  on  land  owned  by  Mr.  French,  near 
the  church  in  Castle  Creek.  In  September,  1855,  September, 
1857,  September,  1858,  and  August,  1859,  meetings  were  held  at 
Kattelville,  in  the  town  of  Chenango,  on  the  land  of  Mr.  L.  Lewis, 
eight  miles  from  Binghamton,  and  three  from  Chenango  Forks. 
In  September,  1861,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Vestal,  on  land  be- 
longing to  Henry  Mersereau,  about  three  miles  from  the  Union 
depot.  In  September,  1866,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Port  Crane,  on 
land  of  William  Ogden.  A  meeting  was  held  at  Auburn  Four 
Corners,  in  September,  1867,  for  Wyalusing  District.  In  August, 
1861  and  1862,  meetings  were  held  in  Maple  Grove,  near  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Lymansville,  for  the  Wyalusing 
District.  This  camp  was  located  on  the  Wilkes-Barre  and  Bridge- 
water  turnpike,  about  one  mile  from  Lynn  and  four  from  Spring- 
ville.  A  camp  meeting  was  held  in  1845  near  Lynn,  in  a  grove 
belonging  to  Sheldon  Wilson. 

It  does  not  follow  that  no  meetings  were  held  on  years  which 
are  not  mentioned  above.  We  may  have  failed  to  get  track  of 
them.  In  those  days  camp  meetings  were  literally  camp  meetings. 
Many  inconveniences  were  sui¥ered,  but  the  results  were  glorious. 
It  was  a  common  thing  to  report  over  one  hundred  conversions 
as  a  result  of  a  week  or  ten  days'  service.  Dr.  Peck  mentions  a 
5 


66 


Wyoming  Conference 


camp  meeting  of  great  power  which  he  attended  on  Broome 
Circuit  in  1816. 

At  the  ministerial  meeting  of  Binghamton  District,  which  was 
held  at  Whitney's  Point  in  July,  1872,  action  was  taken  in  favor 
of  securing  a  camp  ground  for  the  district.  A  committee,  con- 
sisting of  H.  R.  Clarke,  L.  C.  Floyd,  J.  N.  Lee,  L.  C.  Phillips, 
C.  V.  Arnold,  Elmer  Brigham,  L.  S.  Smith,  and  George  Craver, 
was  appointed  to  look  for  a  location  and  call  a  meeting  for  further 


CARMEL  GROVE  AUDITORIUM 


action.  On  August  5  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  Centenary  Church 
of  Binghamton.  A  grove  in  Kattelville,  owned  by  J.  N.  Lee,  a 
grove  near  Lisle,  and  the  present  ground  had  been  visited.  After 
some  discussion  relative  to  the  desirability  of  the  different  loca- 
tions the  following  committee  w^as  appointed  with  power  to 
locate  a  ground  and  prepare  for  a  camp  meeting:  H.  R.  Clarke, 
L.  C.  Philhps,  C.  V.  Arnold,  L.  C.  Floyd,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft,  Asa 
Brooks,  J.  N.  Lee,  M.  West,  Elmer  Brigham,  and  L.  S.  Smith. 
On  the  next  day,  August  6,  the  committee  met  at  the  present  grove 
at  eight  o'clock  a.  m.  After  thoroughly  viewing  the  grove  the 
committee  decided  to  purchase  it,  and  H.  R.  Clarke  and  A.  J. 


C  ARM  EL  Grove  Camp  Ground 


67 


Van  Cleft  were  appointed  to  negotiate  for  it.  The  committee 
leased  tlie  land  of  Mr.  John  Blakeslce  for  one  year,  agreeing  to 
purchase  it  after  the  incorporation  of  the  society  at  $175  per  acre 
for  twelve  and  a  half  acres.  Preparations  for  a  camp  meeting 
were  zealously  pushed.  The  ground  was  cleared,  fence  built,  a 
preachers'  stand  costing  $270  put  up,  a  spring  of  water  was 
bought  of  Mr.  Dewitt  Dunning,  a  temporary  boarding  hall 
erected,  auditorium  furnished  with  seats,  the  grounds  having 
been  laid  out  by  H.  R.  Clarke  and  L.  C.  Phillips.  On  the  evening 
of  September  10,  1872,  the  first  camp  meeting  opened.  During 


the  meeting  several  important  committee  meetings  were  held. 
On  September  16  the  name  ''Carmel  Grove"  was  adopted  by  the 
committee.  On  Tuesday,  the  17th,  the  first  sale  of  lots  occurred, 
when  about  one  hundred  lots  were  sold.  Neri  Pine,  acting  as 
counsel  for  the  association,  secured  the  incorporation  of  the 
association  by  the  Legislature  on  May  9,  1873.  The  following 
were  the  first  board  of  trustees :  H.  R.  Clarke,  president ;  Judson 
H.  Cook,  vice  president;  L.  C.  Phillips,  secretary;  William  N. 
Cobb,  treasurer;  A.  D.  Alexander,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft,  D.  D.  Linds- 
ley,  L.  C.  Floyd,  E.  W.  Brigham,  Scott  Harris,  C.  V.  Arnold, 
N.  T.  Childs,  J.  N.  Lee,  Henry  Wheeler,  Martin  West.  The  last- 
named  was  the  first  superintendent  of  the  grounds.    In  the  sum- 


H0TEL_,  CARMEL  GROVE  ASSEMBLY,  HOOPER,  N.  Y. 


68 


Wyoming  Conference 


mer  of  1873  the  boarding  hall  was  built,  a  building  64x24,  26 
feet  high,  having  three  stories. 

In  1875  a  camp  meeting  was  held,  designated  "The  Old  Gene- 
see Conference  Reunion  Camp  Meeting,"  and  was  presided  over 
by  Rev.  B.  1.  Ives^  and  was  much  enjoyed  by  the  pioneers.  This 
meeting  commenced  on  June  29,  and  continued  until  July  4.  On 
September  7  the  regular  camp  meeting  of  the  season  commenced. 
A  cottage  for  the  presiding  elder  was  built  in  1881,  and  the  bell 
purchased  at  a  cost  of  $33.25.   About  1892  a  new  auditorium  was 


DIMOCK  AUDITORIUM 


strongly  talked,  and  in  October  of  that  year  Rev.  C.  H.  Newing, 
George  E.  Green,  and  H.  F.  Barrett  were  appointed  a  committee 
by  the  trustees  to  formulate  plans  and  erect  an  auditorium  before 
the  next  camp  meeting.  It  was  not  accomplished.  On  August 
13,  1895,  the  stockholders,  in  a  meeting  held  in  the  Centenary 
tent,  authorized  the  trustees  to  build  a  covered  auditorium  before 
another  camp  meeting.  The  trustees  subsequently  secured  plans 
from  Mr.  Van  Slyke,  and  let  the  contract  to  Baker  &  Weir  for 
$1,444.  The  auditorium  was  dedicated  in  1896,  at  which  time 
about  $800  was  raised  toward  paying  for  it. 

In  1899  the  Chautauqua  idea  was  introduced,  and  has  since 
become  a  very  prominent  feature  of  its  annual  program. 


DiMocK  Camp  Ground 


69 


The  grounds  are  sewered,  and  lighted  by  an  acetylene  gas  plant, 
and  have  about  fifty  neatly  arranged  cottages. 

It  is  now  costing  about  $2,000  annually  to  run  the  assembly. 

The  plant  is  worth  about  $12,000,  on  which  there  is  an  in- 
debtedness covering  over  one  half  of  this  amount. 

The  present  trustees  are:  A.  J.  Dibble,  John  Attridge,  Frank 
M.  Leonard,  C.  C.  Barnes,  A.  W.  Carley,  Reed  B.  Freeman, 
William  H.  Bristol,  Edward  Harris,  Albert  H.  Bixby,  W.  L. 
Pierce,  Rev.  John  B.  Sweet,  D.D.,  Dr.  George  F.  Hand,  Hon. 


EPWORTH  HALL,  DIMOCK 


W.  J.  Welsh,  A.  A.  Brimmer,  J.  H.  Hover.  Reed  B.  Freeman  is 
president,  Arthur  J.  Dibble,  corresponding  secretary;  H.  F.  Bar- 
rett, recording  secretary. 

Dimock 

This  camp  was  located  for  the  purpose  of  serving  Wyalusing 
District.  When  the  district  was  absorbed  this  camp  came  into 
the  Binghamton  District. 

At  a  camp  meeting  held  near  Meshoppen  in  August,  1873, 
Rev.  I.  T.  Walker,  G.  E.  Palen,  and  J.  C.  Brown  were  constituted 
a  committee  to  locate  and  purchase  a  grove  for  camp  meeting 
purposes.    Paul  Billings,  O.  W.  Stanton,  and  D.  Billings  were 


70 


Wyoming  Conference 


subsequently  added  to  the  committee.  In  May,  1874,  this  com- 
mittee, after  looking  at  several  groves,  settled  upon  the  present 
one,  which  is  located  a  few  miles  below  Montrose,  on  the  rail- 
road leading  from  Montrose  to  Tunkhannock.  In  1876  the  land 
was  purchased  of  Colonel  Bailey,  twenty-three  and  one  tenth  acres 
at  $50  per  acre.  The  first  board  of  managers  consisted  of  Rev. 
I.  T.  Walker,  president;  J.  H.  Weston,  secretary;  William  H. 
Bloomer,  treasurer ;  W.  L.  Thorpe,  J.  L.  Race,  G.  T.  Price,  H.  G. 
Harned,  W.  H.  Barnes,  G.  E.  Palen,  A.  G.  Overfield,  E.  B.  Gates, 
D.  G.  Bloch,  J.  G.  Taylor,  and  W.  B.  Guile.  The  association  has 
spent  about  $5,000  in  improvements.  There  is  a  good  boarding 
hall,  preachers'  stand,  Epworth  League  hall,  a  hall  for  meetings 
in  rainy  weather,  an  unsurpassed  spring  of  water.  Drinking 
from  this  spring  well  repays  one  for  a  trip  to  the  ground.  The 
grounds  are  nicely  graded,  and  are  kept  in  good  order.  There 
are  about  one  hundred  cottages  on  the  ground,  usually  occupied  by 
a  thousand  persons.  It  is  claimed  that  this  camp  retains  more  of 
the  old-time  fervor  than  any  other  within  our  bounds.  Its  history 
has  been  one  of  revival,  year  after  year.  The  present  board  of 
managers  are  Rev.  Joshua  S.  Lewis,  president;  D.  A.  Titsworth, 
vice  president;  D.  Billings,  secretary;  F.  B.  Jewitt,  treasurer; 
Cyrus  Shaw,  J.  G.  Taylor,  T.  C.  Allen,  George  Candee,  I.  S. 
Tewksbury,  James  Kassen,  Perry  Sweet,  G.  H.  H.  Davis,  Albert 
Overfield. 

HONESDALE  DISTRICT 

Salem 

Camp  meetings  have  been  held  in  various  places  within  the 
bounds  of  the  present  Honesdale  District.  Dr.  Peck  records  a 
visit  to  a  camp  in  Salem,  in  September,  1818,  then  on  the  Canaan 
Circuit:  ''We  crossed  Cobb's  Mountain  in  a  considerable  com- 
pany of  men  and  women  on  horseback,  led  by  our  magnificent 
presiding  elder  on  a  mammoth  horse.  All  in  all  it  was  a  novel 
scene  to  us,  and  there  was  a  sprinkling  of  romance  in  a  train  of 
travelers  on  saddles,  composed  of  men  and  women,  old  and  young, 
climbing  the  mountain  and  clambering  over  rocks,  upon  which 
the  old  Yankees  trod  when  they  first  visited  fair  Wyoming,  and 
upon  which  they  dropped  their  sweat  and  tears  as  they  fled  from 
the  murderous  savages.  Many  of  them  crossed  this  mountain  on 
foot,  we  were  well  mounted ;  they  traveled  in  peril  of  their  lives, 
we  in  safety. 

"The  encampment  was  small,  the  ground  rough,  and  the  tents 
poorly  built.    Everything  was  rude  and  primitive ;  but  God  was 


Salem  Camp  Ground 


71 


there.  The  work  of  awakening  and  conversion  soon  commenced, 
and  the  groans  of  the  wounded  and  the  shouts  of  the  saved  re- 
sounded through  the  forest  of  tall  hemlock  and  beech  trees.  How 
many  were  converted  we  did  not  learn,  but  we  were  happy  in  sub- 
sequent years  to  find  some  who  were  there  brought  to  God  bright 
and  shining  lights  in  the  Church." 

Camp  meetings  were  held  in  September,  1859,  August,  i860, 
and  September  of  1861  and  1862  on  grounds  owned  by  Mr.  A. 
Butler,  near  the  turnpike  leading  from  Honesdale  to  Bethany, 
two  miles  from  Honesdale  and  one  from  Bethany.  During  these 
four  years  over  three  hundred  conversions  were  reported.  In 


SALEM  AUDITORIUM 


1862  and  1863  camp  meetings  were  held  on  a  ground  three  miles 
south  of  Mount  Pleasant.  In  September,  1867  and  1868,  meet- 
ings were  held  on  a  ground  about  one  mile  from  Thompson, 
toward  Carbondale.  In  August  of  1866,  1867,  1868,  and  1870, 
meetings  were  held  at  what  was  then  called  Dunning's  Station, 
now  called  Elmhurst,  for  the  Lackawanna  District.  These  meet- 
ings were  held  in  a  grove  now  owned  by  Mr.  Rhodes,  about  a 
half  mile  from  the  station  and  on  the  left  of  the  highway.  The 
rear  of  the  ground  was  on  a  high  ledge  overlooking  the  railway 
track,  so  that  as  a  preacher  stood  in  the  stand  passing  trains 
seemed  to  be  behind  and  nearly  under  him.  This  camp  was  called 
the  Bethel  Camp  Ground.    Several  camp  meetings  were  held  at 


72 


Wyoming  Conference 


South  Canaan,  in  a  grove  not  far  from  the  parsonage.  Meetings 
were  held  at  Tallmansville  in  August,  1875,  1879,  and  1880. 
One  was  held  at  Uniondale  in  August,  1885.  The  record  of  most 
of  these  meetings  we  have  secured  by  consulting  files  of  the 
Northern  Christian  Advocate.   It  is  not  presumed  to  be  complete. 

With  passing  years,  desire  for  a  permanent  location  and  more 
comfortable  quarters  manifested  itself.  At  a  District  Conference 
of  the  Honesdale  District,  held  in  1874,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed for  the  purpose  of  locating  a  ground  and  organizing  an 
association.    Accordingly,  the  following  brethren  met  at  the 


SALEM  BOARDING  HALL 


Salem  parsonage  on  November  2,  1874:  Rev.  S.  F.  Wright,  Rev. 
W.  G.  Queal,  W.  D.  Curtis,  A.  J.  Andrews,  and  James  Van 
Camp.  Rev.  S.  F.  Wright  acted  as  chairman,  and  James  Van 
Camp,  secretary.  Motion  carried  to  proceed  to  incorporate,  and 
that  the  board  of  trustees  consist  of  five  ministers  and  ten  laymen. 
The  capital  stock  was  to  be  $1,000,  divided  into  one  hundred 
shares  of  $10  each,  with  a  privilege  to  increase  the  stock  to 
$10,000,  but  not  to  exceed  that  amount.  James  Van  Camp  was 
instructed  to  draw  the  articles  of  incorporation  with  S.  F.  Wright, 
W.  G.  Queal,  A.  J.  Andrews,  O.  H.  Pease,  and  Sanford  Williams 
advisory  committee.  The  articles  of  incorporation  were  properly 
drawn,  passed  upon  by  the  court,  and  recorded  on  February  2, 
1875.   The  first  board  of  directors,  or  trustees,  consisted  of  Revs. 


Sidney  Grove  Camp  Ground 


73 


S.  F.  Wright,  W.  G.  Queal,  H.  M.  Crydenwise,  Stephen  Jay,  and 
Jonas  Underwood,  and  laymen  W.  D.  Curtis,  Gilbert  White,  San- 
ford  Williams,  George  Williams,  J.  H.  Williams,  A.  J.  Andrews, 
J.  P.  Mitchell,  J.  W.  Bidwell,  O.  H.  Pease,  and  James  Van  Camp. 
Of  this  board  S.  F.  Wright  was  president,  George  Williams,  vice 
president,  James  Van  Camp,  secretary,  and  W.  G.  Queal, 
treasurer. 

In  February,  1875,  six  acres  of  land  were  bought  of  A.  J. 
Andrews,  and  on  May  20,  1895,  four  and  a  half  acres  more  were 
purchased.  Owing  to  this  last  purchase  the  association  was  put 
$300  in  debt.  In  1900  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Gillet,  of  Salem, 
gave  the  association  $200.  Subscriptions  and  collections  added 
to  that  amount  enough  to  liquidate  the  indebtedness,  and  build  a 
much-needed  preachers'  stand.  This  was  erected  in  1901,  Rev. 
E.  A.  Quimby,  R.  H.  Simon,  and  H.  B.  Goodrich  being  the  build- 
ing committee.  It  cost  $295,  and  was  dedicated  at  the  camp  meet- 
ing of  that  year. 

The  grove  is  about  one  half  mile  from  Salem  Corners,  on  the 
south  side  of  the  road.  It  has  about  twenty-five  cottages,  some 
of  them  being  very  respectable  buildings,  a  large  and  commodious 
boarding  hall,  a  store,  a  canvas  tent  which  will  seat  four  hundred 
people,  and  sufficient  additional  seating  to  accommodate  one 
thousand  people. 

The  association  has  had  open  gates,  fee  at  the  gates,  open  and 
closed  Sundays.  Just  now  it  is  successfully  running  with  gates 
closed  on  Sunday. 

The  present  board  of  directors  is  composed  of  Presiding  Elder 
J.  F.  Warner,  president;  R.  H.  Simon,  vice  president;  E.  A. 
Quimby,  secretary;  H.  B.  Goodrich,  treasurer;  Isaac  Barnes, 
Lewis  Robacker,  A.  C.  Howe,  J.  A.  Yeager,  G.  H.  Prentice,  J.  H. 
Powell,  S.  C.  Simpkins,  A.  J.  Simon,  G.  M.  Bidwell,  Mrs.  Salinda 
Jones,  Mrs.  E.  L.  Stevens. 

Oneonta  District 

Sidney  Grove 

The  present  association  accommodates  Chenango  and  Oneonta 
Districts  and  is  run  jointly.  We  will  first  note  the  early  camp 
meetings  in  the  territory  of  each. 

Within  the  bounds  of  the  present  Chenango  District  the  follow- 
ing meetings  are  known  to  have  been  held :  At  Guilford,  on  land 
of  Daniel  North,  in  June,  1848.  In  August  of  the  same  year  a 
meeting  was  held  on  land  of  Dwight  Ives,  four  miles  north  of 


74 


Wyoming  Conference 


Oxford  and  four  south  of  Norwich.  In  August,  1849,  ^  meeting 
was  held  at  King's  Settlement,  on  land  of  M.  C.  Bar.  In  1847  ^ 
meeting  was  held  at  North  Afton,  on  land  of  Chauncey  and  Elijah 
Hyde,  which  resulted  in  over  one  hundred  conversions.  A  meet- 
ing was  held  on  the  same  ground  in  June,  1850.  At  this  time  this 
territory  was  in  the  Bainbridge  Circuit.  In  June,  185 1,  a  camp 
meeting  was  held  between  Plymouth  and  Smyrna,  on  the  Stephen 
Anthony  farm.  In  September,  1852,  Bainbridge,  Guilford,  and 
Mount  Upton  charges  united  in  holding  a  meeting  at  the  Yale 
Settlement,  eight  miles  east  of  Oxford,  and  six  miles  from  Bain- 
bridge.   In  June,  1853,  a  meeting  was  held  on  land  of  David 


SIDNEY  AUDITORIUM 


Fields,  six  miles  east  of  Norwich  and  three  west  of  the  Unadilla 
River,  near  the  point  where  the  Oxford  and  Norwich  roads  come 
together.  In  September  of  the  same  year,  a  meeting  was  held 
in  a  grove  between  Plymouth  and  Smyrna.  Meetings  were  held 
on  grounds  of  Otis  Wiznor,  five  miles  east  of  Norwich,  on  the 
road  leading  to  Mount  Upton,  in  August,  1857,  September,  1858, 
August,  1859,  and  September,  i860.  In  September,  1861,  a 
meeting  was  held  at  Guilford,  on  land  of  L.  S.  Manwaring,  on 
the  turnpike  between  Mount  Upton  and  Oxford,  two  and  a  half 
miles  from  Guilford  Center  and  one  from  Rockdale.  Under  the 
auspices  of  the  Edmeston  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  a  camp 
was  held  in  August,  1864,  on  land  of  Nathaniel  Ayl worth,  between 
Garrattsville  and  West  Burlington.    In  August,  1866,  a  meeting 


Sidney  Grove  Camp  Ground 


75 


was  held  at  Plymouth.  In  1867,  September,  1868,  August,  1870, 
and  August,  1871,  meetings  were  held  at  Guilford,  near  Rockdale. 
This  spot  is  frequently  spoken  of  as  ''the  old  Rockdale  ground." 
In  September,  1867,  a  grove  meeting  was  held  at  Chenango 
Forks,  on  the  grounds  of  Dr.  Carr. 

Camp  meetings  were  held  in  several  places  within  the  bounds 
of  Oneonta  District.  Meetings  were  held  at  Bowe  Hill,  a  few 
miles  above  Laurens,  in  1847,  1848,  and  June,  1849.  ^^s- 

Palmer,  of  New  York,  known  throughout  Methodism  as  an  ad- 
vocate of  holiness,  was  at  the  1848  camp.    About  forty  conver- 


km 

I  t  "^H 

SIDNEY  BOARDING  HALL 


sions  were  reported.  Meetings  were  held  at  Fly  Creek  in  1852, 
June,  1853,  August,  1854,  September,  1855,  July,  i860,  and  June, 
1861.  In  June,  1856,  a  camp  was  held  on  George  Teel's  farm, 
two  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Hartwick.  In  June,  1857,  a  meeting 
was  held  near  South  Hartwick.  In  June,  1864,  a  meeting  was 
held  on  land  of  Mr.  Wilsey,  on  Elk  Creek,  Westford  charge, 
where  a  meeting  had  been  held  some  few  years  previous.  In 
1865,  ai^d  in  September,  1866,  meetings  were  held  on  a  Mr. 
Shepard's  land  in  Hartwick.  In  July  of  the  same  year  ^  camp 
meeting  was  held  on  land  of  Squire  Sprague,  about  four  miles 
north  of  Fly  Creek.  In  July,  1867,  a  camp  meeting  was  held  on 
land  of  Ebenezer  Cronkite,  one  half  mile  west  of  Milford  village. 
Meetings  were  held  in  McClure  Settlement,  on  Sanford  Circuit, 


76 


Wyoming  Conference 


three  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Deposit,  in  September,  1862,  and 
September,  1863.   McClure  was  then  on  the  Honesdale  District. 

The  Sidney  Grove  Camp  Meeting  Association  was  organized  in 
1874,  and  held  its  first  camp  meeting  in  August  of  that  year.  The 
articles  of  incorporation  are  signed  by  the  secretary  of  New  York 
State,  the  charter  coming  from  the  Legislature.  By  the  act  of 
incorporation  the  association  shall  have  nine  trustees,  who  shall 
have  power  to  purchase  and  convey  real  estate  and  care  for  the 
special  and  general  interests  of  the  association.  The  trustees  are 
elected  by  the  board  of  district  stewards  of  Chenango  and 
Oneonta  Districts — the  association  being  run  by  the  two  districts 
jointly.  The  officers  are  elected  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
trustees,  which  is  held  in  June. 

The  first  real  estate  purchased  was  ten  acres  located  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  below  Sidney,  with  a  highway  leading  from 
the  ground  to  the  public  highway.  The  ground  is  upon  a  table- 
land about  one  hundred  feet  above  the  valley,  and  so  near  the 
New  York,  Ontario,  and  Western  and  the  Delaware  and  Hudson 
Railroads  as  to  easily  accommodate  the  two  districts.  After  a 
few  years'  experience  it  seemed  desirable  to  have  additional  land. 
Accordingly,  ten  acres  more  were  bought,  joining  the  first  pur- 
chase on  the  west.  The  auditorium  has  an  acre  in  it,  around 
which  are  located  the  cottages,  which  number  forty-five.  The 
association  has  expended  about  $10,000  in  a  boarding  hall,  lodg- 
ing hall,  tabernacle,  stand,  sexton's  house,  barn,  and  other  im- 
provements. The  first  purchase  of  land  cost  $2,500,  the  second 
$1,000,  thus  making  the  total  value  of  association  property 
$13,500.  It  is  supplied  with  an  excellent  spring  of  water.  The 
grove,  water,  and  scenery  are  admired  by  all  who  visit  the 
grounds. 

Many  have  been  converted  here,  and  the  influence  of  the  annual 
meetings  has  been  widely  felt. 

OwEGO  District 

Here,  as  in  the  other  cases,  we  have  gleaned  advertisements 
and  reports  of  camp  meetings  from  our  Church  papers,  and  find 
that  camp  meetings  were  held  in  various  places  on  the  district. 
We  have  no  doubt  there  were  other  meetings  held. 

In  September,  183 1,  a  camp  meeting  was  held  on  what  is  now 
the  Tracy  farm,  just  below  Apalachin,  at  which  J.  W.  Hewitt  was 
among  the  converts. 

Camp  meetings  have  been  held  in  several  places  within  the 


Sidney  Grove  Camp  Ground 


77 


bounds  of  this  district.  In  September,  1848,  and  in  June,  1849, 
meetings  were  held  between  Spencer  and  Van  Ettenville,  near  the 
turnpike.  In  September,  1850,  a  meeting  was  held  on  the  farm  of 
Mr.  Eben  Lake,  in  Fairfield,  town  of  Candor.  In  August,  1852, 
and  again  in  September,  1853,  meetings  were  held  three  miles 
southeast  of  Speedsville  and  ten  miles  north  of  Owego,  on  the 
West  Owego  Creek.  During  the  years  1856,  1857,  1858,  and 
1859  meetings  were  held  on  grounds  of  Mr.  Loring,  one  and  a 
half  miles  from  the  depot  in  Candor.  This  place  was  known  as 
"Bethel  Forest."  In  1854  and  i860  meetings  were  held  near 
Waverly.  The  encampment  was  about  one  mile  from  the  village 
and  known  as  Mount  Encampment.  In  i860  fifty-five  conver- 
sions were  reported.  Successful  meetings  were  held  in  Septem- 
ber, 1869,  August,  1870,  and  August,  1871,  at  Lime  Hill,  on  the 
Wyalusing  charge.  The  camp  was  located  on  land  of  Charles 
Sumner,  an  uncle  of  Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner  and  an  exhorter  for  many 
years.  It  was  in  an  oak  grove  one  half  mile  west  of  the  old  stage 
road  from  Tunkhannock  to  Towanda,  and  about  four  miles 
north  of  Wyalusing,  on  top  of  the  hill  before  going  down  to 
Rummersfield,  in  Wyalusing  township.  It  was  inaugurated  by 
Revs.  P.  R.  Tower  and  J.  B.  Sumner,  who  were  pastors  of 
Wyalusing  at  that  time.  The  presiding  elder,  Rev.  D.  C.  Olm- 
stead,  was  invited  to  take  charge  of  it,  and  the  next  year  it  was 
adopted  by  the  district  (Wyalusing).  This  spot  was  not  central 
enough.  Bunnell  Hill,  one  mile  from  Meshoppen,  was  chosen  as 
a  proper  location,  and  meetings  were  held  here  from  1871  to  1874. 
In  August,  1859,  again  in  August,  i860,  meetings  were  held 
on  land  of  Isaac  Ford,  two  miles  south  of  Le  Raysville.  In  the 
summer  of  1865  when  the  Rev.  George  Porter  was  presiding  elder 
on  Owego  District,  A.  D.  Alexander,  pastor  at  Spencer,  and  J.  M. 
Grimes,  pastor  at  Van  Ettenville,  and  several  laymen  planned  a 
camp  meeting  at  Spencer.  John  A.  Nichols,  an  enterprising  busi- 
ness man  of  Spencer,  erected  tents,  built  a  large  boarding  and 
lodging  house,  and  leased  the  grounds  to  the  newly  formed  asso- 
ciation for  five  years.  The  lease  was  subsequently  extended  and 
a  covered  auditorium  built,  and  the  grounds  fenced  and  improved. 
The  camp  was  located  in  the  western  part  of  Spencer,  in  what  is 
now  called  Seeleytown,  close  to  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  depot. 
The  ground  was  level,  nicely  shaded,  and  well  supplied  with 
water  from  driven  wells.  The  first  meeting  was  held  in  August, 
1865.  The  meetings  became  very  popular,  were  largely  attended 
and  productive  of  much  good.  On  August  13,  1881,  when  cot- 
tagers were  moving  in,  preparatory  to  the  camp  meeting,  fire 


78 


Wyoming  Conference 


broke  out  in  the  cottage  of  the  presiding  elder,  Rev.  Y.  C.  Smith. 
His  family  had  been  on  the  ground  several  days.  Mrs.  Smith 
was  alone  in  the  cottage  when  some  live  coals  accidentally  fell 
from  the  stove  through  the  cracks  of  the  floor  into  the  dry  leaves 
underneath.  Flames  rapidly  spread,  and  were  soon  beyond  con- 
trol. The  preachers'  stand,  auditorium,  chapels,  and  sixty-five 
cottages  were  all  destroyed  and  never  rebuilt.  The  boarding  hall 
stood  apart,  and  was  not  destroyed.  It  is  now  used  as  a  glove 
factory.    During  the  later  years  of  the  ground's  history  great 


WYOMING  AUDITORIUM 


temperance  rallies  were  held  there,  such  men  as  Xeal  Dow, 
Colonel  Bain,  Governor  St.  John,  Francis  Murphy,  and  others, 
speaking  to  thousands.  Since  the  burning  of  the  buildings  a 
number  of  parties  who  used  to  attend  camp  meetings  there  now 
go  to  Carmel  Grove  and  Dimock. 

Wyoming  District 

Before  the  opening  of  the  present  camp  ground  on  Wyoming 
District  camp  meetings  were  held  in  various  places.  September, 
1825,  a  meeting  was  held  in  Truxville,  on  land  owned  by  Jacob 


Wyoming  Camp  Ground 


79 


Rice,  father  of  Rev.  C.  L.  Rice.  This  meeting  was  of  extraor- 
dinary interest  and  power,  and  was  spoken  of  for  many  years 
afterward  as  ''the  great  camp  meeting."  Meetings  were  held  on 
Northmoreland  Circuit,  on  land  owned  by  George  France,  three 
miles  back  of  New  Troy  (Wyoming)  in  August,  1847,  ^^^^  again 
in  1 85 1  and  1852.  The  first  camp  resulted  in  fifty  conversions. 
A  meeting  was  held  one  mile  and  a  half  north  of  Providence, 
near  Leach's  coal  bed  in  August,  1849.  There  were  between 
forty  and  fifty  tents  on  the  ground.    A  meeting  resulting  in  one 


INTERIOR  OF  WYOMING  AUDITORIUM 


hundred  and  fifty  conversions  was  held  in  September,  1851,  on  the 
farm  of  Mr.  Knowlton,  four  miles  west  of  Wyoming.  Meetings 
were  held  in  a  grove  owned  by  Samuel  Durland,  four  miles  from 
Wyoming  and  one  and  a  half  miles  from  Carverton,  in  August, 
1853,  September,  1856,  August,  1858,  year  of  1865,  August,  1866 
and  1867.  In  August,  1859,  ^  meeting  was  held  on  the  Lacka- 
wanna, near  Pittston.  Meetings  were  held  on  Everhart's 
Island,  near  Pittston,  in  August,  i860,  September,  1862,  and 
August,  1863. 

A  meeting  of  the  ministers  and  laymen  of  Wyoming  District 
was  held  in  Kingston  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  June  28, 
187 1,  for  the  purpose  of  canvassing  the  question  of  a  camp  meet- 


8o 


Wyoming  Conference 


ing  association  for  the  district.  R.  H.  McKune  acted  as  chair- 
man and  C.  A.  Ward,  secretary.  The  sentiment  was  in  favor  of 
purchasing  ground  and  organizing  an  association  at  once.  On 
motion  of  Dr.  George  Peck  a  committee  was  appointed  to  nego- 
tiate with  Mr.  Burgess  for  the  purchase  of  land  lying  about  three 
miles  from  Wyoming,  this  location  having  been  favorably  men- 
tioned by  Revs.  Joseph  Madison  and  S.  W.  Weiss.  The  com- 
mittee consisted  of  Dr.  George  Peck,  chairman;  Revs.  A.  C. 
Bowdish,  W.  J.  Judd,  I.  T.  Walker,  L.  C.  Floyd,  F.  L.  Hiller, 
O.  M.  Martin,  Joseph  Madison,  J.  C.  Leacock,  and  the  following 
laymen:  R.  H.  McKune,  P.  Pettebone,  B.  G.  Carpenter,  B.  D. 
Beyea,  and  I.  D.  Shoemaker.  On  June  30,  the  committee  met  01 
the  ground  suggested.  After  careful  examination  of  the  ground, 
the  committee  met  in  a  convenient  spot  and  spent  an  hour  in 
prayer  and  song.  Fifty  acres  were  offered  the  committee  at  $80 
per  acre.  A  business  committee  consisting  of  P.  Pettebone,  B.  D. 
Beyea,  R.  H.  McKune,  B.  G.  Carpenter,  I.  D.  Shoemaker,  E.  D. 
Wilson,  and  Jacob  Rice  was  appointed,  with  power  to  act,  and 
requested  to  report  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  preachers  of  the 
district.  This  meeting  was  held  in  the  Hyde  Park  Church  (Simp- 
son) on  July  10,  1871.  At  this  meeting  the  original  camp  meet- 
ing committee  was  enlarged  so  as  to  include  every  preacher  on 
the  district  and  one  layman  for  each  charge.  At  this  meeting 
attention  was  called  to  the  Sutton  farm,  adjoining  the  Burgess 
farm,  which  could  be  had  for  $4,000,  and  contained  sixty-seven 
acres.  On  July  12  a  large  number  of  the  general  committee  met 
at  the  farms,  looked  each  over  thoroughly,  and  by  ballot  decided 
to  purchase  the  Sutton  farm.  An  executive  committee  was  then 
appointed  to  purchase  the  ground  and  fit  it  up  for  a  camp  meeting 
to  be  held  in  the  fall.  This  committee  consisted  of  Revs.  George 
Peck,  D.D.,  chairman,  F.  L.  Hiller,  A.  C.  Bowdish,  Joseph  Madi- 
son, and  the  following  laymen,  R.  H.  McKune,  I.  D.  Shoe- 
maker, P.  Pettebone,  and  B.  D.  Beyea.  A  committee  consisting 
of  Dr.  Peck,  Joseph  Madison,  and  S.  W.  Weiss  was  appointed 
to  arrange  for  time  of  the  first  camp  meeting.  The  executive 
committee  located  the  camp  on  the  northeast  side  of  the  public 
highway,  and  secured  Mr.  S.  Jenkins,  of  Wyoming,  to  survey 
and  lay  out  the  ground.  Joseph  Madison  and  E.  D.  Wilson  were 
directed  to  oversee  and  secure  the  preparation  of  the  ground  for 
the  camp  meeting.  It  was  thought  desirable  to  sell  one  thousand 
shares  of  stock  in  the  association.  A  canvass  of  the  district  re- 
sulted in  selling  five  hundred  and  eighty-four  shares  at  $10  each, 
the  holder  of  each  share  being  a  stockholder.    Subsequently  five 


Wyoming  Camp  Ground 


8i 


hundred  additional  shares  were  sold.  On  August  14,  1871,  the 
stockholders  met  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Wyoming. 
At  this  meeting  it  was  resolved  that  the  association  be  called  "The 
Wyoming  Camp  Meeting  Association."  Payne  Pettebone  was 
elected  president,  B.  D.  Beyea,  treasurer,  and  G.  B.  Kulp,  secre- 
tary. Revs.  F.  L.  Hiller,  A.  C.  Bowdish,  and  L.  C.  Floyd, 
with  the  following  laymen :  E.  D.  Wilson,  B.  G.  Carpenter,  and 
Richard  Jones,  were  elected  directors  of  the  board.  The  presiding 
elder  of  the  district  was  made  a  member  of  the  board,  ex  officio. 


WYOMING  BOARDING  HALL 


The  first  camp  meeting  held  on  these  grounds  was  in  August, 
and  the  boarding  hall  was  a  tent,  as  were  the  accommodations 
for  persons  attending  the  meeting. 

On  August  19,  1871,  the  directors  constituted  G.  B.  Kulp  and 
Revs.  L.  C.  Floyd  and  A.  C.  Bowdish  a  committee  on  charter. 
G.  B.  Kulp  drafted  the  charter.  This  charter,  with  by-laws,  was 
subsequently  adopted  by  the  board  of  directors,  and  the  charter 
was  granted  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
April  8,  1872.  Rev.  George  Peck,  D.D.,  being  the  corporator, 
it  devolved  upon  him  to  name  the  first  board  of  managers  under 
the  charter.  This  he  did  on  April  24,  1872.  Revs.  A.  C.  Bowdish, 
F.  L.  Hiller,  1.  T.  Walker,  R.  W.  Van  Schoick,  and  the  following 
6 


82 


Wyoming  Conference 


laymen  were  his  appointees:  Payne  Pettebone,  B.  D.  Beyea, 
Richard  Jones,  George  B.  Kulp,  B.  G.  Carpenter,  and  E.  D. 
Wilson.  These  parties  met  and  elected  Mr.  Pettebone  president. 
Dr.  Peck  vice  president,  G.  B.  Kulp  secretary,  and  B.  D.  Beyea 
treasurer.  Since  then  the  managers  have  been  elected  annually 
by  the  stockholders. 

From  time  to  time,  as  the  association  has  grown,  new  build- 
ings have  been  erected.  The  present  lodging  house  was  the  first 
boarding  house  erected.  In  1884  the  present  boarding  house  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  $2,464,  and  the  first  boarding  house  trans- 
formed into  a  dormitory  at  an  expense  of  $500.  In  1891  the  pres- 
ent pavilion,  which  seats  one  thousand  people,  was  erected  at  a 
cost  of  $735. 

There  are  sixty  cottages  now  on  the  ground,  which  average 
much  better  than  the  mass  of  camp  meeting  cottages.  In  June, 
1895,  twenty-three  cottages  were  destroyed  by  fire. 

The  following  is  considered  a  fair  estimate  of  the  financial 
standing  of  the  association:  Real  estate,  $4,000;  improvements 
on  the  grounds,  $4,000;  water  works,  $3,000;  preachers'  stand 
and  fixtures,  $910;  boarding  house,  $2,562;  furniture,  $1,413; 
dormitory,  $2,464;  grocery,  $748;  ice  house,  $137;  pavilion,  $735 ; 
total,  $19,969.  Several  issues  of  bonds  have  been  made  during 
the  history  of  the  association  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  association. 
At  the  present  time  there  is  an  indebtedness  of  $2,500  in  the  form 
of  bonds. 

During  the  time  Dr.  Hard  was  presiding  elder  on  the  Wyoming 
District  the  assembly  idea  was  introduced  for  several  seasons. 


CooPERSTowN  Seminary 


83 


CHAPTER  V 
SCHOOLS 

CooPERSTOWN  Seminary 

On  December  20,  1853,  ^  meeting  was  held  in  the  village  of 
Cooperstown  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  movement  for  the 
erection  of  a  seminary.  The  Oneida  Conference  held  in  July, 
1854,  appointed  the  following  visitors  to  the  school:  Rev.  Dr. 
Bannister,  Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol,  Rev.  John  H.  Hall,  Rev.  J.  P. 
Newman,  Rev.  C.  Blakeslee,  Rev.  C.  G.  Robinson,  Rev.  J.  W. 
Steele,  Rev.  D.  W.  Thurston,  Rev.  J.  L.  Wells,  Rev.  A.  S.  Graves, 
Rev.  H.  Gee,  John  Emory,  of  Unadilla,  William  T.  Broadfoot,  of 
Otego,  William  E.  Chapman,  of  Oxford,  Randolph  Randall,  of 
Cortland.  The  citizens  of  Cooperstown  subscribed  $20,000,  and 
the  Methodists  of  the  surrounding  country  $15,000  toward  the 
project.  The  building  was  erected  in  1854,  so  that  the  school 
opened  on  November  15  of  that  year,  the  formal  dedication  oc- 
curring on  November  17,  when  addresses  were  made  by  Bishop 
Simpson,  F.  A.  Lee,  and  Professor  McKown.  Mr.  Elihu  Phinney 
was  the  first  president  of  the  board  of  trustees.  When  the  school 
opened  Professor  J.  L.  G.  McKown  was  principal  and  there  were 
six  teachers  besides  him  in  the  faculty.  We  can  do  no  better 
than  quote  from  the  committee's  report  on  education  to  the 
Oneida  Conference  of  1855 : 

''The  edifice,  which  was  in  process  of  erection  at  our  last 
session,  has  been  completed.  It  is  a  noble  -pile.  The  center 
building,  projecting  in  front  10  feet,  is  70  feet  long  by  46  deep, 
and  five  stories  high  above  the  basement,  which  is  used  as  the 
boarding  hall  and  primary  school  rooms.  The  two  wings  on  each 
side  of  the  center  building  are  40x36  feet,  connecting  with  ells 
36x72,  making  the  whole  front  222  feet  in  length — the  center 
building  being  five  stories  high  and  the  wings  and  ells  four  stories. 

"The  school  opened  on  the  15th  of  November,  and  has  just 
closed  its  first  academic  year,  with  an  average  attendance  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty  students,  including  day  scholars. 

"The  income  of  the  year  has  about  equaled  the  expenses  of  the 
institution. 

"The  aggregate  amount  invested,  including  eighty  acres  of 
land,  buildings,  and  furniture,  is  about  $50,000. 


84 


Wyoming  Conference 


"The  privileges  secured  in  perpetuity  to  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  comprehend  the  following  particulars — a  majority  of 
the  trustees,  the  principal,  and  a  majority  of  the  faculty  must  be 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  the  faculty 
have  the  right  of  nominating  the  steward." 

The  educational  committee  in  1856  was  hopeful.  It  stated 
that  the  institution  had  a  fair  attendance,  a  commanding  influence 
in  the  town,  and  promised  to  contribute  largely  to  the  facilities 
for  giving  the  rising  generation  a  generous  and  comprehensive 
education,  and  again  nominated  visitors  to  the  school. 


COOPERSTOWN  SEMINARY 


P.  D.  Hammond  was  the  principal  in  1855,  and  in  1856  the 
building  was  leased  for  five  years  to  Hammond  and  Pomeroy, 
the  latter  becoming  principal  in  1857.  Financial  embarrassment 
was  now  upon  the  institution,  and  it  soon  closed  its  doors.  The 
Oneida  Conference  in  1858  appointed  Caleb  Clark,  John  Eddy, 
L.  E.  Bow,  William  Kirby,  H.  F.  Rowe,  John  Shank,  A.  E. 
Daniels,  S.  Comfort,  and  S.  Stocking  a  permanent  committee 
with  full  power  to  purchase,  at  their  discretion.  It  was  found 
that  the  property  could  be  bought  for  $12,000,  a  mortgage  being 
on  the  property  of  $5,000,  making  a  total  purchase  price  of 
$17,000.  This  would  include  the  building,  which  cost  about 
$27,000,  and  ten  acres  of  land.  The  committee  attempted  to  raise 


University  of  Northern  Pennsylvania  85 


$8,000  in  Cooperstown  and  $4,000  outside,  intending  to  carry 
the  $5,000  mortgage  for  some  time.  Failing  in  their  plans,  the 
project  of  purchasing  the  property  for  the  Conference  was 
abandoned. 

In  1859  the  school  was  opened  by  R.  C.  Flack,  who  continued 
it  until  1864,  about  which  time  Mr.  William  Clinton  purchased 
the  property,  and  in  1865  Dr.  G.  Kerr  became  principal,  who  was 
succeeded  in  1867  by  Rev.  Orin  Perkins.  In  1869  the  property 
was  purchased  by  Mr.  F.  Phinney,  when  it  was  abandoned  as  an 
educational  institution  and  became  a  summer  hotel,  known  as  the 


university  of  northern  PENNSYLVANIA 

Cooper  House.  It  has  been  destroyed  by  fire  within  a  few  years, 
and  has  not  been  rebuilt. 

About  the  same  time  a  seminary  was  projected  at  Fort  Plain, 
N.  Y.,  and  another  at  Charlotteville,  N.  Y.,  neither  of  which  had 
vitality  enough  to  live  long.  It  seems  that  Methodism  was 
stricken  with  a  seminary  fever  about  this  time. 

University  of  Northern  Pennsylvania 

The  county  seat  was  removed  from  Bethany  to  Honesdale  in 
1841.  After  the  removal  of  the  courts  the  courthouse  was  used 
as  an  academy  until  the  University  of  Northern  Pennsylvania 
was  chartered  in  1848,  when  the  courthouse  was  so  changed  as 


86 


Wyoming  Conference 


to  answer  the  demands  of  the  university.  The  university  began 
its  work  in  the  fall  of  1850,  and  the  next  year  Professor  John  F. 
Stoddard  was  elected  principal.  While  this  school  bore  the 
ambitious  title  of  university,  it  was  in  fact  a  preparatory  school, 
and  for  a  time  drew  a  goodly  number  of  students  to  its  halls. 

In  1854  the  school  was  tendered  to  the  Conference,  the  property 
being  valued  at  $8,000,  and  said  to  be  nearly  free  from  debt.  A 
board  of  commissioners  was  appointed  to  effect  the  transfer, 
which  was  duly  accomplished,  and  Rev.  N.  Rounds  elected  prin- 
cipal. The  report  of  the  trustees  in  1855  indicates  that  they  had 
many  storms  to  contend  with,  and  suggested  that  strong  efforts 
would  be  necessary  to  put  the  school  upon  a  healthful  basis.  Its 
principal  this  year  was  Rev.  S.  S.  Milborne,  A.B.  Students  were 
increasing  in  number,  and  it  was  hoped  that  the  school  might 
have  a  prosperous  and  useful  future.  The  following  year,  1856, 
found  all  hopes  of  success  dashed  in  pieces.  The  committee  on 
education,  in  view  of  financial  and  other  embarrassments,  advised 
the  closing  of  the  school,  the  sale  of  the  property,  and  the  pay- 
ment of  its  debts.  The  school  went  back  into  the  hands  of  Pro- 
fessor John  F.  Stoddard,  of  whom  it  was  secured.  He  ran  it  a 
short  time,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  night  of  April 
19,  1857,  with  the  exception  of  a  fireproof  building,  which,  with 
the  public  square,  he  gave  to  the  borough  for  the  use  of  the  com- 
mon school. 

Susquehanna  Seminary 

The  Conference  in  1853  passed  a  resolution  in  the  educational 
committee's  report,  "That  a  literary  institution  of  high  character 
be  established  in  the  northern  portion  of  our  territory,  at  some 
point  embraced  within  the  Susquehanna  Valley,  to  be  denomi- 
nated the  Susquehanna  Seminary."  It  was  thought  that  the 
patronizing  territory  should  comprise  the  whole  of  Owego  Dis- 
trict, with  the  exception  of  Rome,  Orwell,  and  Le  Raysville 
charges,  the  whole  of  Binghamton  District,  with  the  exception  of 
Montrose,  Brooklyn,  and  Gibson  charges,  together  with  Sanford 
charge,  at  that  time  in  the  Honesdale  District.  A  commission  of 
seven  was  appointed  to  determine  upon  a  site,  and,  in  connection 
with  the  presiding  elders  of  Owego  and  Binghamton  Districts 
and  the  preacher  or  preachers  in  charge  where  the  school  was  to  be 
located,  nominate  a  board  of  trustees,  and,  further,  to  institute 
measures  to  obtain  a  charter.  The  commission  was  instructed  to 
meet  on  September  13,  at  Binghamton.  It  is  somewhat  difficult 
to  bring  the  above  action  into  harmony  with  the  fact  that  the 
same  copy  of  the  Minutes  contains  a  list  of  the  first  board  of 


Susquehanna  Seminary 


87 


trustees.  The  Conference  convened  July  27.  It  is  possible  that 
the  Minutes  were  not  printed  until  after  the  meeting  of  the  com- 
mission. The  following  is  the  first  board  of  trustees:  Rev.  Z. 
Paddock,  D.D.,  Binghamton,  president;  Hon.  S.  H.  P.  Hall, 
Binghamton,  vice  president;  B.  N.  Loomis,  Esq.,  Binghamton, 
secretary;  Edward  Tompkins,  Esq.,  Binghamton,  treasurer;  Rev. 
H.  R.  Clarke,  agent;  Hon.  D.  S.  Dickinson,  Binghamton;  Rev. 
W.  H.  Pearne ;  P.  B.  Brooks,  M.D.,  Binghamton ;  A.  Doubleday, 
M.D.,  Binghamton;  J.  C.  Moore,  Esq.,  Binghamton;  Joseph 
Belcher,  Esq.,  Richford;  William  McClure,  Esq.,  Deposit;  Revs. 


SUSQUEHANNA  SEMINARY 


Asa  Brooks,  Solon  Stocking,  O.  M.  McDowell,  G.  P.  Porter,  E. 
Owen,  and  J.  W.  Davison. 

The  Conference  of  1854  found  that  the  institution  had  been 
located  on  ground  on  the  west  side  of  the  Chenango  River,  in 
Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  the  ground  having  been  offered  by  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Hall.  A  charter  had  been  received  from  the  regents  of  the 
University  of  New  York,  and  a  contract  made  for  the  first  build- 
ing. It  was  168x57  feet,  four  stories  high,  built  of  brick,  and 
cost  $20,600. 

The  school  opened  in  the  fall  of  1855  with  the  following 
faculty:  Henry  Carver,  A.M.,  principal  and  teacher  of  mathe- 
matics; teacher  of  languages  not  yet  secured;  R.  B.  Van  Petten, 
A.M.,  professor  of  experimental  philosophy;  Miss  Maria  Shep- 


88  Wyoming  Conference 

ard,  preceptress ;  J.  Hilton  Jones,  professor  of  instrumental  music 
and  thorough  bass;  William  Marvin,  professor  of  vocal  music; 
Mrs.  Lucretia  Johnson,  teacher  of  drawing  and  painting;  Miss 
Mary  Sinker,  teacher  of  French.  E.  W.  Breckinridge  was  ap- 
pointed agent  this  year.  At  this  time  the  institution  was  in  debt 
over  $10,000.  The  trustees  proposed  to  make  a  loan  for  the 
amount  of  indebtedness  and  reduce  the  debt  during  the  ensuing 
year  by  the  receipts  of  unpaid  subscriptions  and  donations  and 
new  subscriptions.  The  debt  apparently  increased,  for  in  1856 
the  Conference  subscribed  $5,000  to  relieve  the  school  on  condi- 
tion that  the  citizens  of  Binghamton  decrease  the  debt  to  $15,000. 
In  the  following  year  it  was  believed  that  the  requirements  had 
been  met,  and  the  preachers  were  called  upon  to  meet  their  obliga- 
tions made  in  1856.  Rev.  P.  S.  Worden  was  principal  from  1857- 
61,  acting  also  as  agent  for  the  school. 

The  pecuniary  embarrassments  of  the  school  culminated  in 
1 86 1,  when  the  mortgage  was  foreclosed  by  the  comptroller  of 
the  State,  which  held  the  mortgage.  It  was  bid  in  by  the  State. 
The  failure  of  this  enterprise  was  a  sore  disappointment  to  the 
Conference. 

The  building  is  now  owned  by  the  Catholics  and  used  as  a 
home  for  friendless  children. 

At  the  time  the  Susquehanna  Seminary  was  projected  the 
people  of  Waverly,  N.  Y.,  made  application  to  the  Conference  to 
establish  a  seminary  at  that  place.  The  committee  on  education 
reported  favorably,  suggested  that  the  school  be  called  Tioga 
Seminary,  and  made  as  a  condition  upon  which  the  school  should 
be  located  there  the  raising  of  $12,000  by  the  citizens  of  Waverly. 
Nothing  further  seems  to  have  come  from  the  matter. 

The  fundamental  mistake  made  in  the  foregoing  was  in 
wrongly  estimating  the  patronage  which  would  come  from  the 
territory.    It  was  seriously  overestimated. 

Wyoming  Seminary 

The  early  settlers  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  were  largely  from 
Connecticut  and  brought  with  them  the  strong  traits  and  tastes 
of  the  New  England  Yankee.  Among  these  was  a  determination 
to  make  the  fullest  provision  possible  at  that  time  for  the  educa- 
tion of  their  children. 

The  foundation  of  the  educational  system'  of  New  England 
was  ah  order  passed  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  in 
1647,  which  read  in  part  as  follows :  "It  being  one  chief  project 


Wyoming  Seminary 


89 


of  the  old  deluder,  Satan,  to  keep  men  from  a  knowledge  of  the 
Scriptures  as  in  former  times,  by  keeping  them  in  an  unknown 
tongue;  it  is  therefore  ordered  that  every  township  in  this  juris- 
diction, after  the  Lord  hath  prospered  them  to  the  number  of 
fifty  householders,  shall  then  forthwith  appoint  one  within  their 
town  to  teach  all  children  as  shall  resort  to  him  to  read  and 
to  write." 

It  was  a  religious  impulse  that  started  the  educational  system 
of  our  country.  The  Puritan,  after  building  a  church,  immedi- 
ately erected  a  schoolhouse  by  its  side.  Harvard  University  was 
founded  by  John  Harvard,  a  Puritan  clergyman.  Nearly  every 
other  important  college  of  New  England  was  started  under  the 
auspices  of  a  religious  denomination. 

It  was  natural,  therefore,  that  the  Connecticut  people  who  came 
to  Wyoming,  strong  as  they  were  in  the  instinct  of  educational 
training,  should  have  given  early  attention  to  schools.  Land 
grants  and  other  provisions  were  made  for  the  distinctively  public 
schools.  But  a  number  of  private  academies  and  seminaries  in 
addition  to  these  were  started  especially  for  preparation  for  col- 
lege and  for  the  further  education  of  those  who  had  outgrown 
the  public  schools. 

Wyoming  Seminary  was  established  at  Kingston,  Pa.,  in  the 
year  1844  as  an  institution  of  Christian  learning  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Oneida  Conference.  At  the  session  of  this  Con- 
ference held  in  Wilkes-Barre,  August  9,  1843,  the  matter  was 
fully  discussed,  and  the  necessary  preliminary  steps  taken  by  the 
appointment  of  David  Holmes,  Jr.,  Lucian  S.  Bennett,  Thomas 
Myers,  Madison  F.  Myers,  Lord  Butler,  Sharp  D.  Lewis,  and 
Silas  Comfort  as  "trustees  of  a  contemplated  seminary  of  learning 
to  be  located  either  in  Wilkes-Barre  or  Kingston,"  according  to 
the  amount  of  subscription  obtained  in  each  place  within  a  given 
time.  Kingston,  providing  the  largest  subscription,  was  the 
chosen  locality.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees 
David  Holmes  was  elected  president,  Silas  Comfort,  secretary, 
and  Madison  F.  Myers,  treasurer.  The  first  building,  a  brick 
structure  of  three  stories,  37x70,  was  erected  and  opened  for 
students  in  1844.  Size  of  the  chapel,  24x29;  recitation  room, 
13x29,  and  room  for  primary  department,  20x29,  with  some 
twenty  rooms  in  all  for  students.  Cost  of  the  building,  about 
$5,000.  Such  was  the  beginning  of  this  educational  enterprise, 
one  building,  two  teachers,  and  fifty  scholars.  The  trustees  were 
doubtless  providentially  directed  in  securing  as  their  first  prin- 
cipal Rev.  Reuben  Nelson,  A.M.,  then  a  young  man,  but  whose 


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energy  of  character  and  subsequent  history  and  efforts  have 
demonstrated  his  fitness  to  inaugurate  and  carry  forward  such 
an  enterprise  to  a  successful  consummation.  It  is  not  surprising 
that,  under  such  leadership,  seconded  by  the  energetic  cooperation 
of  a  noble-minded  and  self-denying  board  of  trustees  and  a  corps 
of  efficient  teachers,  the  institution  should  attain  a  popularity  and 
influence  second  to  none  of  its  class  in  the  land.  In  half  a  dozen 
years  after  the  erection  of  the  first  edifice,  such  was  the  patronage 
obtained  that  an  additional  building  was  demanded.  No  sooner 
did  the  emergency  arise  than  the  trustees  and  friends  of  the 
institution  prepared  themselves  to  meet  the  demand.  In  the  spirit 
of  an  unselfish  liberality  the  late  William  Swetland,  of  Wyoming, 
Pa.,  came  forward  and  volunteered  to  erect  the  projected  addi- 
tional building  at  his  own  expense.  This  second  building  was 
named  by  the  trustees  "Swetland  Hall,"  in  memory  of  the  re- 
spected donor.  At  the  same  time  Hon.  Ziba  Bennett,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  contributed  $i,ooo  as  a  foundation  for  a 
library.  This  was  hereafter  called,  in  honor  of  the  giver,  the 
Bennett  Library.  In  the  early  spring  of  1853,  additional  facilities 
were  deemed  essential,  and  the  building  of  a  wing,  or  wings,  to 
the  main  building  was  contemplated,  with  a  view  to  afford  ac- 
commodation to  a  larger  number  of  students.  At  this  juncture, 
in  the  stillness  of  the  midnight  hour  on  the  15th  of  March,  1853, 
a  furious  fire  broke  put,  and  the  seminary  buildings  were  laid  in 
ruins.  Although  this  catastrophe  was  fearful,  and  the  friends 
of  the  institution  gazed  in  sadness  on  the  scene,  yet  courageous 
men  never  despair,  and  while  the  brick  and  stone  and  ashes  were 
yet  warm  the  trustees,  with  undaunted  heroism,  in  their  meeting 
on  the  day  of  the  fire  resolved  as  follows: 

"With  humble  submission  to  our  heavenly  Father's  will,  we 
turn  from  looking  upon  these  ruins.  Relying  upon  Him  who 
hath  hitherto  helped  us,  buoyant  with  hope  (for  man's  extremity 
is  God's  opportunity),  we  enter  with  heart  and  hand  upon  the 
rebuilding,  pledging  to  each  other  cooperation  and  mutual  sup- 
port ;  therefore, 

'^Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  draw 
plans  and  specifications  for  the  rebuilding  of  the  seminary." 

This  showed  the  "stuff  these  men  were  made  of."  Again  did 
the  tried  friend  of  the  cause,  William  Swetland,  come  to  the 
rescue,  and  nobly  undertook,  at  his  own  expense,  the  work  of 
rebuilding  and  enlarging  Swetland  Hall.  Through  the  liberality 
of  P.  Pettebone,  George  Swetland,  A.  Y.  Smith,  and  Isaac  C. 
Shoemaker,  a  third  building  was  erected  about  the  same  time,  to 


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91 


which  the  name  of  ''Union  Hall"  was  given.  Thus,  through  fire 
and  disaster,  larger  and  better  buildings  were  erected,  and  the 
three  blocks,  ''Administration  Hall"  in  the  center,  with  ''Swet- 
land  Hall"  on  the  left  and  "Union  Hall"  on  the  right,  stood  a 
noble  monument  of  the  energy  and  liberality  of  the  men  of 
Wyoming  Valley. 

In  a  few  years  afterward  the  fire  fiend  again  visited  the  institu- 
tion, and  the  Ladies'  Boarding  Hall  was  destroyed.  Then,  in  the 
course  of  events,  a  fierce  tornado  swept  over  the  place  and  un- 
roofed the  building.  Then,  in  1865,  the  flood  did  more  or  less 
damage  to  the  seminary  property.  Yet,  with  heroic  spirit,  the 
board  of  trustees  measured  up  to  every  exigency,  so  that  repeated 
difficulties  have  been  overcome,  financial  embarrassments  re- 
moved, and  the  whole  machinery  kept  moving  without  intermis- 
sion, and  without  jar.  The  civil  war  seemed  for  a  brief  period 
to  interfere  with  the  wonted  success  of  the  institution.  Yet,  even 
amid  this  temporary  drawback,  the  trustees  projected  other  plans 
for  the  success  of  the  school.  A  commercial  department  was 
added  in  1863,  and  Professor  W.  S.  Smythe  was  secured  to  take 
charge  of  the  Commercial  College,  and  under  his  supervision  it 
proved  a  decided  success.  In  1868  Professor  L.  L.  Sprague  be- 
came the  head  of  this  department  and  continued  until  1882,  when 
Professor  W.  L.  Dean,  A.M.,  became  the  principal.  The  Com- 
mercial College  has  developed  into  one  of  the  best  schools  of  its 
kind  in  the  country. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  it  was  found  that  such  was  the  pros- 
perity of  the  seminary  that  scores  of  applicants  had  to  be  refused 
admission  for  lack  of  accommodation.  This  increasing  popularity 
and  demand  again  aroused  the  friends  to  ef¥ort,  and  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  seminary  was  absolutely  required.  The  three  build- 
ings had  already  been  united  by  the  addition  of  wings,  yet  this 
did  not  meet  the  demand  for  room.  In  the  year  1866,  the  Cen- 
tennial of  American  Methodism,  it  was  determined  to  erect  a 
memorial  building  to  be  named  Centenary  Hall.  This  was  com- 
menced in  1867,  and  completed  in  1868,  at  a  cost  of  about  $25,000. 
These  buildings  are  all  under  one  roof,  three  and  four  stories 
high,  with  three  hundred  and  twenty  feet  frontage. 

In  1887,  by  the  aid  of  a  few  friends,  the  Nelson  Memorial  Hall 
was  erected  as  a  memorial  of  the  late  Reuben  Nelson,  D.D.,  who 
was  the  first  president  of  the  seminary.  The  first  floor  has  seven- 
teen rooms  devoted  to  the  music  department.  The  second  floor 
is  given  entirely  to  the  chapel.  This  room  will  accommodate  six 
hundred  persons,  and  is  provided  with  the  best  quality  of  seating. 


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Wyoming  Conference 


It  contains  a  beautiful  Jardine  two-manual  organ,  and  carries 
with  it  all  the  dignity  and  attractiveness  suitable  to  a  room  for 
public  worship.  The  seats  are  numbered,  and  each  student  has 
a  special  seat.  The  chapel  is  also  used  for  concerts  and  lectures 
given  before  the  school.   Its  cost  was  $30,000. 

Nesbitt  Science  Hall  was  completed  in  1894,  and  donated  to 
the  school  by  Abram  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  of  Kingston,  Pa.,  a  trustee  and 
generous  benefactor  of  the  seminary.  Its  construction  is  of 
brick,  with  red  sandstone  trimmings.  The  building  is  of  dignified 
architecture,  and  one  of  the  most  substantial  in  educational  use. 
Its  dimensions  are  one  hundred  feet  long,  seventy  feet  wide,  and 
three  stories  high.  In  the  basement  are  the  cloak  rooms  and 
lockers  for  day  scholars.  Tables  are  also  provided  for  those  who 
bring  lunches. 

On  the  first  floor  are  the  art  rooms,  well  located  for  light,  a 
spacious  hall,  and  a  study  room  sixty-seven  feet  long  by  forty-two 
feet  wide,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  Berkeley  desks  and  seats. 
These  are  a  gift  of  the  late  Hon.  W.  H.  Cool,  of  Pittston,  Pa. 
On  the  second  floor  are  the  chemical  and  physical  laboratories,  a 
science  lecture  room,  and  a  museum  of  natural  history  and  In- 
dian archaeology.  On  the  third  floor  is  a  room  seventy  feet  long 
by  sixty-seven  feet  wade  devoted  to  the  use  of  the  College  of 
Business.  Besides  this  there  are  rooms  on  this  floor  devoted  to 
shorthand,  typewriting,  and  business  correspondence.  Its  cost 
was  $40,000. 

By  the  munificence  of  friends  of  the  seminary  in  1894  a 
spacious  Athletic  Field  of  nearly  five  acres  was  purchased.  This 
was  graded  and  fenced  with  tight  boards.  It  contains  a  hand- 
some grand  stand,  a  track  twenty  feet  wide,  and  tennis  and  alley- 
ball  courts.  There  is  ample  room  here  for  baseball,  football, 
handball,  running,  bicycle  riding,  hammer  throwing,  vaulting, 
lawn  tennis,  croquet,  etc.  The  young  ladies  have  full  access  to 
the  field,  which  is  within  five  minutes'  walk  of  the  seminary,  and 
are  encouraged  to  take  open-air  exercise. 

The  Caroline  M.  Pettebone  Gymnasium  was  erected  in 
1897,  by  her  whose  name  it  bears.  Mrs.  Pettebone  was  for  many 
years  an  eminent  and  constant  supporter  of  the  school,  and  the 
gymnasium  is  a  most  beautiful  and  crowning  gift  of  her  many 
benefactions. 

The  building  is  constructed  of  brick,  with  red  sandstone  trim- 
mings, fifty-five  and  one  half  feet  wide  by  one  hundred  and  eight 
and  one  half  feet  long,  and  is  of  attractive  architecture.  The 
floor  of  the  main  exercise  room  contains  4,268  square  feet.  The 


NESBITT  HALL 
NELSON  MEMORIAL  HALL 


NELSON  HOME 
PETTEBONE  GYMNASIUM 


94 


Wyoming  Conference 


room  is  supplied  with  the  best  quahty  of  apparatus,  and  a  Rogers 
running  track  of  the  latest  pattern,  five  feet  wide  and  twenty-six 
laps  to  the  mile  in  length.  The  building  is  so  skillfully  planned 
that  it  may  be  occupied  cotemporaneously  by  the  boys  and  girls 
in  their  respective  apartments  with  perfect  seclusion.  It  has  two 
distinct  and  exclusive  entrances.  It  is  supplied  with  the  best 
grade  of  modern  baths  and  lockers,  three  bowling  alleys  (two  for 
boys  and  one  for  girls),  with  skylight  over  the  tenpins,  two 
offices  and  examining  rooms,  respectively  for  the  physical  director 
and  directress,  football  and  baseball  rooms,  rooms  for  visiting 
teams,  boxing  room,  trophy  room,  and  spectators'  gallery.  The 
gymnasium  is  complete  in  every  appointment,  and  cost  $33,000. 

The  seminary  from  the  first  has  been  prosperous.  Its  begin- 
ning was  small,  but  its  growth  has  been  rapid.  From  one  hall, 
costing  an  inconsiderable  sum,  it  has  grown  into  seven  buildings, 
with  an  aggregate  property  value  of  $300,000.  More  than 
eighteen  thousand  students  have  been  registered  on  its  rolls. 
More  than  two  thousand  five  hundred  young  people  have  carried 
away  its  diploma.  Its  students  are  found  in  nearly,  or  quite, 
every  political  division  of  the  globe.  There  are  few  communities 
in  the  United  States  where  the  influence  of  an  old  Wyoming  stu- 
dent is  not  felt  in  either  a  business,  professional,  or  social 
capacity. 

The  seminary  has  bred  at  least  two  State  governors — Hoyt,  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  Carpenter,  of  Iowa ;  at  least  one  United  States 
senator,  and  several  members  of  the  lower  house  of  Congress, 
among  them  the  present  member  from  this  district,  Henry  W. 
Palmer. 

Several  justices  of  State  supreme  courts  received  their  early 
education  there,  among  them  Judge  Winthrop  Ketcham,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, now  deceased.  Judges  Lynch  and  Ferris  and  ex-Judges 
Woodward  and  Rhone,  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  court,  as  well  as  a 
large  number  of  others  who  have  dignified  the  bench  elsewhere, 
were  students  there  in  their  early  days. 

More  than  four  hundred  ministers  of  the  Gospel  received  much 
of  their  preparation  for  their  work  at  the  seminary.  Six  gradu- 
ates are  now  in  foreign  mission  fields.  The  great  civil  war  re- 
ceived a  full  quota  of  Wyoming  students  who  found  lasting  honor 
in  fighting  for  the  Union  upon  its  battlefields.  Among  these  are 
Colonel  R.  B.  Ricketts,  the  late  General  E.  S.  Osborn,  Captain 
David  Schooley,  and  the  late  Judge  Darte.  These  are  only  a  few 
who  went  from  the  seminary's  immediate  locality.  Many  went 
from  distant  sections  in  other  States  who  attained  high  official 


Wyoming  Seminary 


95 


rank  in  the  army  and  won  fame  and  valor  for  our  nation  in  tliat 
great  conflict. 

The  purpose  of  tlie  seminary  may  be  regarded  as  ideal  in 
American  education,  namely,  the  preparation,  under  positive  re- 
ligious influences,  of  boys  and  girls  for  college  and  the  providing 
of  courses  of  study  in  science,  literature,  art,  and  music  for  young 
men  and  women  who  lack  the  time  and  necessary  means  for  a 
complete  course  in  college.  The  college  of  business,  moreover,  is 
regarded  as  of  great  importance  in  fitting  students  for  business 
pursuits.  It  is  believed  that  having  this  department  in  close  con- 
nection with  the  seminary  work  gives  it  a  thoroughness  and  com- 
pleteness in  business  preparation  that  is  of  paramount  importance. 

The  seminary  has  been  from  the  start  coeducational.  The  his- 
tory and  results  of  the  school,  and  of  education  in  general,  prove 
beyond  question  that  the  plan  of  educating  young  people  together 
is  preeminently  the  natural  plan  and  that  it  is  productive  of  the 
best  results  intellectually,  morally,  and  socially.  The  following 
are  expressions  concerning  the  question  from  high  authority: — 
Richter:  "To  insure  modesty  I  would  advise  the  education  of 
the  sexes  together,  for  two  boys  will  preserve  twelve  girls,  or  two 
girls  twelve  boys,  innocent.  But  I  will  guarantee  nothing  in  a 
school  where  girls  are  alone  together,  much  less  where  boys  are. 
It  is  a  striking  fact  that  nearly  all,  if  not  quite  all,  those  who  have 
given  their  names  against  coeducation  are  those  who  have  never 
tried  it."  Colonel  T.  W.  Higginson :  *T  believe  heartily  and  fully 
in  coeducation.  The  Creator,  who  placed  boys  and  girls  together 
in  families,  where  the  association  of  brothers  and  sisters  is 
mutually  helpful,  knew  what  is  best  for  humanity." 

In  1883  Mrs.  Jane  S.  Nelson,  "in  consideration  of  her  desire 
and  purpose  to  aid  and  benefit  the  seminary  to  which  the  labors 
of  her  husband  were  for  many  years  devoted,"  deeded  to  the 
trustees  of  the  seminary  the  beautiful  dwelling  built  by  Dr.  Nel- 
son, where  he  and  family  resided  for  several  years  prior  to  his 
election  as  Book  Agent  in  New  York.  This  gift  was  in  full  ac- 
cord with  the  noble  impulse  of  one  who  did  her  full  share  in 
making  sure  the  success  of  the  institution,  and  all  the  efforts  of 
her  husband  in  its  behalf. 

The  seminary  was  fortunate  in  its  first  principal,  Dr.  Nelson. 
Elected  to  this  position  in  1844,  he  served  until  1862,  when  he 
resigned.  After  a  year's  service  as  presiding  elder  of  Wyoming 
District  he  was  reelected  principal,  and  served  until  1872,  when 
he  was  called  to  the  agency  of  the  Book  Concern. 

As  principal  of  the  seminary  Dr.  Nelson's  success  was  almost. 


96 


Wyoming  Conference 


if  not  quite,  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  seminaries  and  other 
preparatory  schools  in  the  country.  His  ability  as  a  teacher,  his 
executive  skill  and  financial  wisdom,  his  indomitable  perseverance, 
his  great  moral  power,  his  fervid  piety  gave  him  an  equipment 
for  his  work  that  made  success  assured. 

The  second  principal  was  Dr.  Y.  C.  Smith,  who  served  the 
school  in  that  capacity  from  the  spring  of  1862  until  the  close  of 
the  school  year  in  1863.  He  was  highly  esteemed  and  affection- 
ately remembered  by  thousands  of  students  of  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary. He  was  a  superior  teacher,  a  strong  thinker,  and  his  work 
was  characterized  by  sound  scholarship.  His  life  left  a  durable 
and  salutary  impress  upon  the  history  of  the  seminary. 

The  third  principal  was  Rev.  Daniel  Copeland,  A.M.,  who  be- 
came principal  in  1872.  He  remained  in  the  faithful  and  efficient 
discharge  of  his  duties  until  prostrated  by  disease  in  February,. 
1882.  A  rest  of  a  few  months  at  Clifton  Springs  afforded  physical 
improvement  and  inspired  a  hope  that  he  would  be  able  to  con- 
tinue his  work.  But  the  effort  of  opening  the  fall  term  of  1882 
was  too  great  and  the  vital  flame  began  at  once  to  flicker,  and  it 
became  apparent  to  him  that  his  work  was  ended.  He  resigned 
and  moved  with  his  family  to  Vermont,  where  the  ravages  of 
pulmonary  disease  closed  his  life,  December  7,  1882. 

Dr.  Copeland  gave  his  life  to  education.  As  a  teacher  he  was 
very  successful.  The  teacher's  chair  was  his  throne.  His  work 
in  the  class  room  was  royal.  Several  of  the  most  eminent  of  the 
seminary's  alumni  graduated  during  his  presidency.  He  made  a 
strong  impress  of  scholarly  taste  and  refinement  on  the  school, 
and  will  live  long  in  high  esteem  in  the  memory  of  the  thousands 
of  students  whose  lives  he  richly  endowed  by  precept  and  example. 

Rev.  L.  L.  Sprague,  A.M.,  D.D.,  was  elected  the  fourth  presi- 
dent of  Wyoming  Seminary  upon  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Cope- 
land in  1882. 

The  first  faculty  of  the  seminary  in  1844  was  as  follows :  Rev. 
Reuben  Nelson,  A.M.,  principal ;  Winthrop  W.  Ketcham,  teacher 
of  mathematics;  Edwin  F.  Ferris,  teacher  of  natural  science  and 
normal  department;  Elisha  B.  Harvey,  A.B.,  teacher  of  ancient 
languages;  Miss  Ruth  S.  Ingalls,  preceptress ;* Mrs.  Jane  S.  Nel- 
son, teacher  of  drawing  and  painting ;  Miss  Sarah  W.  Tompkins, 
assistant  in  normal  department;  Miss  Emily  H.  Schott,  teacher 
of  music. 

The  following  constitute  the  faculty  in  1903:  Rev.  L.  L. 
Sprague,  M.A.,  D.D.  (Wesleyan  University),  president,  intel- 
lectual and  moral  science;  Miss  Charlotte  L.  Chubbuck,  M.A. 


Wyoming  Seminary 


97 


(Elmira  College),  lady  principal,  history  and  English  literature; 
Rufus  B.  Howland,  B.C.E.  (Cornell  University),  mathematics; 
Willis  L.  Dean,  M.A.  (Dickinson  College),  principal  College  of 
Business,  lecturer  on  commercial  law,  business  correspondence, 
etc.;  Charles  O.  Thurston,  B.A.  (Dartmouth  College),  physics, 
botany,  and  zoology;  Charlotte  L.  Blackman,  Mus.B,  (Norwich 
Free  Academy;  Piaris  and  BerHn),  French  and  German;  Pedro  R. 
Gillott,  M.A.  (Wesleyan  University;  Heidelberg,  Germany), 
Greek  and  Latin;  Edward  I.  Wolfe  (Public  High  School), 
pedagogy  and  English  grammar;  Junius  W.  Stevens,  Ph.B. 
(Syracuse  University),  Enghsh  language;  Hugo  V.  Stadler 
(Berlin),  piano,  organ,  and  head  of  music  department;  Wesley 
A.  Kuhn,  M.E.  (Millersville  Normal  School,  and  Wyoming  Col- 
lege of  Business),  English  and  bookkeeping;  Laura  G.  Thomp- 
son, A.B.  (Woman's  College  of  Baltimore;  Oxford  University, 
England),  Latin  and  Enghsh;  Alice  B.  Russell,  M.E.L.  (Wy- 
oming Seminary),  mathematics;  George  B.  Lufkin,  A.B. 
(Williams  College),  physiology,  chemistry,  and  boys'  gymna- 
sium; Helen  Jackson  (Juhan  Academy,  Paris;  pupil  of  William 
Bouguereau  and  Gabriel  Ferrier),  drawing  and  painting;  Leon 
J.  Russell,  M.E.  (Mansfield  S.  N.  School),  English;  Laura  J. 
Sprague,  M.E.L.  (Wyoming  Seminary),  Enghsh;  Saidee  E. 
Kaiser  (Royal  Academy  of  Music,  London),  vocal  culture; 
Theo.  Hemberger  (BerHn),  violin;  June  Southwell  (Emerson 
College  of  Oratory),  oratory  and  girls'  gymnasium;  Alice  Mor- 
gan (Wyoming  College  of  Business),  shorthand  and  typewriting; 
Lulu  M.  Morgan  (Wyoming  Seminary),  piano.  Lecturers: 
Rev.  Leonard  C.  Murdock,  M.A.  business  ethics ;  Charles  W. 
Laycock,  Esq.  (cashier  Anthracite  Savings  Bank),  practical 
banking;  Fred  Corss,  M.A.,  M.D.,  L.  L.  Rogers,  M.D.,  Henry 
Kunkle,  M.A.,  M.D.,  physiology  and  hygiene.  Miss  Isabel  Clint, 
matron.   Martha  Sackett,  librarian. 

The  seminary  now  has  an  enrollment  of  more  than  four  hun- 
dred students  per  term.  Its  attendance  is  practically  from  all 
parts  of  the  civilized  world.  It  is  a  cause  of  profound  gratitude 
that  the  blessing  .of  God  has  so  constantly  and  signally  abided 
upon  the  school.  Many  powerful  revivals  have  graciously  visited 
its  students.  The  voice  of  prayer  and  the  song  of  praise  to  God 
are  heard  in  its  halls  as  well  as  the  sound  of  the  instructor's  voice 
and  the  laughter  of  the  social  throng.  Thousands  of  young  men 
and  women  have  gone  from  Wyoming  Seminary  better  because 
of  their  contact  with  Methodist  influences,  Methodist  usages,  and 
Methodist  revivals. 

7 


98 


Wyoming  Conference 


There  are  but  few  homes  in  the  bounds  of  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence that  have  not  been  touched  by  influences,  near  or  remote, 
that  have  emanated  from  this  alma  mater.  Her  professional 
men — ministers  of  the  Gospel,  lawyers,  physicians;  her  business 
graduates,  as  bankers,  merchants,  accountants,  agents;  her 
women  who  have  gone  forth  from  her  spiritual  and  intellectual 
atmosphere,  many  to  become  home  centers  of  love,  refinement, 
and  Christian  precept,  others  to  become  teachers  in  the  schools, 
authors  in  literature,  or  nurses  in  a  ministry  to  physical  suffer- 
ing— these  are  found  all  through  the  Conference,  the  Middle 
States,  and  indeed  in  almost  every  community  of  the  nation. 

The  Wyoming  Conference  has  ever  exercised  a  most  faithful 
watchcare  over  the  interests  of  its  seminary.  It  has  readily  in- 
dorsed every  proposition  to  advance  its  interests  and  enlarge  its 
usefulness.  It  has  given  in  this  way  prestige  and  influence  to 
the  school  in  the  eyes  of  men  of  financial  ability  who  have  erected 
its  buildings  and  enlarged  its  endowment.  The  pulpits  of  the 
Conference  have  been  open  to  the  financial  agents  of  the  seminary 
for  public  collections,  and  the  pastors  have  urged  upon  the  people 
the  importance  of  the  seminary's  work.  This  support  of  the  Con- 
ference has  been  fundamentally  the  source  of  its  strength  and  the 
cause  of  its  growth.  The  seminary  is  owned  by  the  Conference, 
and  therefore  may  rightfully  claim  this  support,  but  as  a  return 
it  renders  a  service  to  Methodism  that  cannot  be  overestimated. 
And  in  this  great  American  republic,  this  "Giant  of  the  West," 
with  its  growing  industries,  its  unlimited  resources,  its  tre- 
mendous strides  of  material  conquest,  with  every  artery  of 
activity  throbbing  to  its  fullest  tension  with  energy,  with  thou- 
sands of  immigrants  yearly  coming  to  our  shores  who  are 
strangers  to  our  institutions,  where  the  will  of  the  people  is  the 
highest  law  of  the  land,  and  where  the  very  well-being  of  the 
people,  therefore,  depends  upon  an  educated  heart  as  well  as 
educated  brain,  this  "seminary  of  Christian  learning"  will  have 
even  a  larger  work  to  do  in  the  future  than  it  has  done  in  the  past. 


Act  of  Incorporation 


99 


CHAPTER  VI 
PREACHERS'  AID  SOCIETY 

When  Wyoming  Conference  was  organized  a  commission 
composed  of  the  following  members  of  Oneida  and  Wyoming 
Conferences  was  appointed  to  divide  the  funds  and  claimants 
between  the  two  Conferences :  H.  F.  Rowe,  A.  E.  Daniels,  D. 
Holmes,  N.  Rounds,  W.  H.  Pearne,  E.  B.  Tenny.  The  commis- 
sion met  several  times  during  the  first  session  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference, and  at  the  seat  of  Conference.  The  number  of  members 
of  the  two  bodies  was  made  the  basis  of  division.  Oneida  had 
18,248  and  Wyoming  12,236.  Accordingly,  Oneida  was  to  have 
three  fifths  of  the  funds  and  claimants  and  Wyoming  two  fifths. 
There  was  $4,640.92  in  available  funds  to  be  divided.  Of  this 
$927.97  belonged  to  Wesleyan  University,  leaving  $3,712.95  to 
be  divided  between  the  Conferences.  Two  fifths  of  this,  Wy- 
oming's share,  was  $1,485.18.  Notes  were  held  against  various 
parties  amounting  to  $911.32  in  addition  to  the  above-named 
amount.  These  were  also  divided,  Wyoming  receiving  notes  to 
the  amount  of  $367,  and  against  the  following  parties :  Z.  Pad- 
dock, two  notes,  $52;  C.  W.  Giddings,  $20;  J.  R.  Boswell,  $25; 
C.  Starr,  $33 ;  A.  E.  Daniels,  $50 ;  H.  Halstead,  $25 ;  J.  Parks, 
$30 ;  I.  D.  Warren,  $25  ;  G.  Parsons,  $25  ;  J.  Pomeroy,  $25  ;  L.  K. 
Reddington,  $25 ;  W.  H.  Pearne,  $12 ;  E.  Dennison,  $20.  It  is 
supposed  these  notes  were  given  to  increase  the  fund. 

It  became  necessary  to  become  a  corporate  body  at  once.  Ac- 
cordingly, petition  was  made  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania  for  a  charter.  It  was  granted  on  April  12,  1853, 
coating  the  modest  sum  of  $15 — $10  fee  to  the  State  and  $5  fee 
to  the  attorney.   It  is  as  follows : 

An  Act 

To  Incorporate  the  Wyoming  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church 

Section  i.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  in  General  Assembly  met,  and  it  is 
hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  George  Lane,  C.  W. 
Giddings,  E.  B.  Tenny,  George  Peck,  Nelson  Rounds,  V.  M.  Coryell,  and 
B.  W.  Gorham,  and  their  successors  duly  elected  and  appointed  in  manner 
herein  prescribed,  be  and  they  are  hereby  made  and  constituted  a  body 


100 


Wyoming  Conference 


politic  and  corporate  in  law  and  in  fact,  to  have  perpetual  succession,  by 
and  under  the  name,  style,  and- title  of  "The  Trustees  of  the  Wyoming 
Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church/'  and  by  the 
name,  style,  and  title  aforesaid  shall  be  capable  in  law  to  take,  purchase, 
receive,  have,  hold,  and  enjoy,  and  to  demise,  sell,  and  convey,  any  and  all 
real  and  personal  estate  and  property  that  hath  heretofore  been  or  may 
hereafter  be  devised  and  bequeathed  to  them,  or  to  their  successors,  and 
for  the  use  of  them,  or  their  successors,  and  said  estate  and  the  title  to 
property  shall  be  vested  in  them,  the  said  Trustees,  and  their  successors, 
as  a  fund  to  be  held,  appropriated,  and  disposed  of  under  the  direction  of 
the  Wyoming  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  the 
limits  of  which  Conference  shall  be  such  as  from  time  to  time  may  be 
designated  by  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Section  2.  That  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  corporators  named  in  the  first 
section  of  this  Act,  they  shall  proceed  to  divide  their  number  into  three 
classes,  the  first  of  which  classes  shall  consist  of  two  members,  to  hold 
their  ofiice  during  one  year,  and  until  their  successors  shall  be  duly  and 
legally  appointed ;  the  second  of  which  classes  shall  consist  of  two  mem- 
bers, to  hold  their  office  during  two  years,  and  until  their  successors  shall 
be  duly  and  legally  appointed;  and  the  third  of  which  classes  shall  consist 
of  three  members,  to  hold  their  office  during  three  years,  and  until  their 
successors  shall  be  duly  and  legally  appointed;  and  the  said  designation 
of  classes  shall  be  made  by  lot,  and  thenceforth  as  the  terms  of  said 
several  classes  of  said  Trustees  shall  expire,  their  successors,  in  equal 
number,  shall  be  annually  elected  by  ballot  by  the  members  of  the  said 
Wyoming  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  hold 
their  office  for  the  term  of  three  years. 

Section  3.  That  the  business  of  said  corporation  shall  be  managed  and 
conducted  by  the  said  corporators  and  their  successors,  a  majority  of 
whom  shall  be  a  quorum,  in  pursuance  of  such  rules,  regulations,  and  by- 
laws as  they  shall  from  time  to  time  adopt  for  their  government,  not 
inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  act,  or  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  or  of  this  Commonwealth;  and  said  corporators  and  their 
successors  shall  have  power  to  appoint  such  officers  for  the  management 
of  the  said  corporation  as  said  rules,  regulations,  and  by-laws  shall  from 
time  to  time  prescribe. 

Section  4.  That  no  misnomer  of  the  said  corporation  shall  defeat,  or 
annul,  any  gift,  grant,  devise,  or  bequest  to  or  from  the  said  corporation : 
Provided,  The  intent  of  the  party  or  parties  shall  sufficiently  appear  upon 
the  face  of  the  gift,  grant,  will,  or  other  writing  whereby  an  estate  or 
interest  is  intended  to  pass  to  or  from  the  said  corporation. 

Section  5.  That  the  said  corporation  and  their  successors  shall  have  full 
power  and  authority  to  make,  have,  and  use  one  common  seal  with  such 
device  and  inscription  as  they  shall  think  fit  and  proper,  and  to  break, 
renew,  and  alter  the  same  at  their  pleasure. 

Section  6.  That  the  said  corporation  and  their  successors,  by  the  name, 
style,  and  title  aforesaid,  shall  be  able  and  capable  in  law  to  sue  and  be 
sued,  plead  and  be  impleaded  in  any  court,  or  before  any  judge  or  justice 
of  the  peace,  in  all  and  all  manner  of  suits,  complaints,  pleas,  and  demands 
of  whatsoever  nature  they  may  be,  and  all  and  every  matter  and  thing  to 
do  in  as  full  and  effectual  a  manner  as  aiiy  other  person,  body  politic  or 
corporate  within  this  Commonwealth,  may  or  can  do. 


By-Laws  of  the  Conference  Trustees  ioi 

Section  7.  That  the  said  corporation  may  take,  receive,  purchase,  and 
enjoy  real  and  personal  estate  of  any  amount  of  which  the  annual  income 
shall  not  exceed  five  thousand  dollars,  but  the  said  limitation  is  not  to  be 
considered  as  including  the  annual  collections  and  voluntary  contributions 
made  in  the  churches  under  the  care  of  the  said  Wyoming  Conference  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

By-Laws 

The  following  by-laws  were  adopted  on  March  21,  1884,  and 
amended  on  April  4,  1890: 

ARTICLE  I 

The  officers  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  consist  of  a  President,  Sec- 
retary, and  Treasurer,  and  they  shall  be  elected  annually  at  the  time  of 
the  meeting  of  the  Wyoming  Annual  Conference. 

ARTICLE  II 

The  President  shall  preside  at  all  the  meetings  of  the  Board,  and  in  his 
absence  a  President  pro  tern,  may  be  elected.  The  President  shall  have 
the  general  charge  and  direction  of  the  business  of  the  Board,  and  shall 
be  ex  officio  a  member  of  all  the  standing  committees.  He  shall  have 
power  to  call  special  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  whenever  the 
exigency  of  the  business  shall  seem  to  require  it.  He  shall,  moreover, 
call  special  meetings  upon  the  written  request  of  three  members  of  the 
Board. 

ARTICLE  III 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  attend  all  meetings  of  the  Board, 
and  keep  correct  minutes  of  all  its  transactions  in  a  book  provided  for 
that  purpose,  from  which  they  shall  be  read  at  the  close  of  the  meeting 
by  the  Secretary  for  correction  and  approval.  He  shall  give  notice  of  all 
meetings  of  the  Board,  and  in  his  absence  a  Secretary  pro  tem.  may  be 
elected.  In  case  the  office  of  President  shall  at  any  time  become  vacant  by 
death  or  otherwise,  the  Secretary  shall  have  power  to  call  extra  meetings 
of  the  Board  under  the  same  limitations  as  controlled  the  President. 

ARTICLE  IV 

The  Treasurer  shall  have  charge  of  all  the  moneys  of  the  Association, 
which  shall  be  kept  deposited  to  his  account  as  Treasurer  in  a  bank;  he 
shall  have  charge  of  all  bonds,  deeds,  mortgages,  leases,  stocks,  bills,  notes, 
securities,  and  all  other  valuable  papers  of  the  Board.  He  shall  furnish 
statements  of  his  accounts  and  of  all  the  property  in  his  charge  at  each 
annual  meeting  of  the  Board,  and  at  such  other  times  as  he  may  be  directed 
by  the  President. 

ARTICLE  V 

The  officers  of  the  Board  shall  hold  their  offices  until  their  successors 
are  duly  elected  and  qualified. 


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Wyoming  Conference 


ARTICLE  VI 

Applications  for  loans  shall  be  passed  upon  by  the  Board  at  the  Annual 
Meeting;  and  in  case  money  shall  be  applied  for  during  the  interim  of  the 
Conference  sessions,  the  President  shall  be  notified  by  the  Treasurer,  and 
he  shall  appoint  a  committee  of  two  from  among  the  Trustees  residing  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  county  town  of  the  applicant;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  this  committee  to  examine  the  security  or  securities  offered  by  the 
applicant  for  the  loan  of  the  said  moneys,  and  to  report  upon  the  same 
to  the  said  Treasurer,  and  the  Treasurer  shall  pay  the  money  to  the  said 
applicant  only  upon  the  order  of  the  said  committee. 

ARTICLE  VII 

Security  in  the  case  of  personal  loans  must  be  upon  real  estate,  unin- 
cumbered, and,  without  the  buildings  thereon,  worth  at  least  twice  the 
amount  of  the  loan.  A  certificate  from  the  proper  officers  having  charge 
of  titles,  deeds,  judgments,  and  mortgages  in  the  county  and  State  where 
the  property  is  located  on  which  the  money  is  loaned,  shall  be  furnished 
to  the  Trustees  of  the  Conference,  or  a  committee  appointed  by  them,  at 
the  expense  of  the  person  or  persons  to  whom  the  loan  is  made. 

When  the  Conference  received  its  charter  the  trustees  took 
charge  of  the  funds  belonging  to  the  Conference,  amounting  at 
this  time  to  $1,485.18,  invested  them,  collected  the  interest,  and 
annually  paid  it  to  the  Conference  to  be  distributed  by  the  stew- 
ards. The  amount  increased  from  time  to  time  until  it  amounted 
to  $10,584.69  in  1887. 

The  organization  of  a  Preachers'  Aid  Society  had  been  sug- 
gested prior  to  its  birth  in  1887.  In  i860  P.  S.  Worden  and  E. 
Owen  presented  the  following  resolution,  which  was  carried : 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  consider 
the  propriety  and  practicability  of  organizing  an  association  to 
be  known  as  The  Preachers'  Aid  Society  of  the  Wyoming  Con- 
ference,' and  report  at  our  next  session." 

G.  Peck,  W.  Wyatt,  N.  Rounds,  J.  J.  Pearce,  and  G.  H. 
Blakeslee  were  appointed  a  committee,  but  no  report  is  recorded 
as  having  been  made. 

Again,  in  1867,  Y.  C.  Smith  introduced  the  question  of  form- 
ing a  Preachers'  Aid  Society  and  introduced  a  printed  resolution 
asking  that  a  committee  of  one  from  each  district  be  appointed 
to  draft  a  constitution  for  a  Preachers'  Aid  Society,  and  report 
to  the  next  Conference.  Y.  C.  Smith,  I.  T.  Walker,  L.  Cole, 
Dr.  Bristol,  L.  C.  Floyd,  and  J.  F.  Wilbur,  were  appointed  such 
committee.  Nothing  was  accomplished  by  this  committee;  at 
least  the  ]\Iinutes  do  not  credit  it  with  any  report. 

At  the  Conference  of  1887  Rev.  J.  E.  Price,  who  was  the 


Plan  of  Preachers'  Aid  Society 


103 


moving  spirit  in  the  formation  of  the  Preachers'  Aid  Society, 
presented  the  following  resolution: 

'Whereas,  The  provisions  made  for  our  superannuated  min- 
isters, and  the  families  of  deceased  ministers  are  wholly  inad- 
equate; therefore,  be  it 

''Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  nine,  three  of  whom  shall  be 
trustees  of  the  Conference,  be  appointed,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  consider  carefully  this  subject  and  report  at  the  next  session  of 
the  Conference  whatever  plans  may  be  matured  by  them." 

The  resolution  was  adopted  and  the  following  committee  ap- 
pointed :  W.  H.  Olin,  Y.  C.  Smith,  D.  C.  Olmstead,  trustees ; 
J.  O.  Woodruff,  J.  E.  Price,  A.  Griffin,  G.  M.  Colville,  J.  G. 
Eckman,  and  A.  H.  Tuttle. 

At  the  Conference  of  1888  the  committee  reported  the  follow- 
ing plan,  which  was  adopted : 

Plan 

ARTICLE  I 

This  Society  shall  be  called  "The  Preachers'  Aid  Society  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church." 

ARTICLE  II 

MEMBERSHIP 

Section  i.  Members  in  full  connection  of  the  Wyoming  Annual  Confer- 
ence are  members  of  this  Society.  Other  persons  may  become  honorary 
members  upon  the  payment  of  five  dollars  annually  into  the  fund  of  the 
Society.  Honorary  members  shall  be  entitled  to  certificates  of  honorary 
membership. 

Section  2.  The  payment  of  fifty  dollars  at  one  time  shall  constitute  the 
donor  a  life  member  of  this  Society. 

Section  3.  Life  members  of  our  Society  shall  be  entitled  to  certificates 
of  membership.  They  shall  also  have  the  privilege  of  attending  the  meet- 
ings of  the  Society,  and  of  participating  in  the  deliberations  of  the  same, 
without  the  privilege  of  voting. 

ARTICLE  III 

MANAGEMENT 

Section  i.  The  business  of  the  Society  shall  be  managed  by  the  Trustees 
of  the  Wyoming  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
[This  was  done  because  the  Preachers'  Aid  Society  was  not  an  incor- 
porated body,  and  had  no  legal  status.] 

Section  2.  A  majority  of  the  Trustees  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business.  They  shall  elect  their  own  officers,  make  by-laws 
for  their  own  government,  not  contrary  to  this  plan,  and  adopt  all  needful 
rules  and  regulations  for  carrying  into  effect  the  provisions  of  this  plan, 
and  securing  the  objects  of  the  Society. 


104 


Wyoming  Conference 


Section  3.  They  shall  take  measures  to  increase  the  fund  of  the  Society 
by  subscriptions,  donations,  bequests,  and  otherwise. 

Section  4.  They  shall  securely  invest  the  funds  of  the  Society,  and  cause 
the  annual  income  to  be  apportioned  among  and  remitted  to  the  respective 
beneficiaries. 

Section  5.  They  shall  present  to  each  session  of  the  Conference  an  annual 
statement  of  the  operations  of  the  Society,  together  with  the  amount  and 
character  of  the  securities  belonging  to  the  fund. 

Section  6.  They  shall  arrange  for  holding  an  anniversary  of  the  Society 
at  some  time  during  each  session  of  the  Conference,  at  which  the  annual 
report  shall  be  read. 

Section  7.  They  shall  be  permitted  to  deduct  from  the  receipts  of  each 
year  such  necessary  expenses  as  have  been  incurred  in  the  management  of 
the  fund :  provided,  however,  that  the  amount  deducted  shall  not  exceed 
fifty  dollars,  without  the  consent  of  the  Conference. 

ARTICLE  IV 

THE  FUND 

Section  i.  The  principal  of  this  fund  shall  be  intact  forever,  and  the 
annual  interest  or  income  only  applied  to  the  purposes  of  the  Society. 

Section  2.  All  subscriptions,  donations,  and  bequests,  together  with  any 
surplus  which  may  remain  after  the  payment  of  the  amounts  awarded  by 
the  Society,  shall  be  added  to  the  principal. 

Section  3.  The  fund  shall  be  invested  in  United  States  bonds  or  in  Penn- 
sylvania or  New  York  State,  County,  Municipal,  or  Township  securities, 
or  in  first  mortgage,  with  bond,  upon  real  estate  appraised  at  twice  the 
amount  of  investment,  with  ample  policies  of  insurance  assigned  to  the 
Trustees. 

Section  4.  No  money  shall  be  invested  in  any  other  form  of  security  nor 
loaned  upon  any  property  of  the  Conference,  held  by  other  Boards  of 
Trustees,  nor  the  property  of  any  religious  or  benevolent  society,  associa- 
tion or  institution,  nor  upon  property  in  which  any  member  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  this  fund  is  in  any  way  interested. 

ARTICLE  V 

BENEFICIARIES 

Section  i.  The  beneficiaries  of  this  fund  shall  be  superannuated  and 
supernumerary  preachers  of  the  Wyoming  Annual  Conference,  and  widows 
and  orphans  of  those  who  have  died  in  the  work,  with  the  following  re- 
strictions : 

First.  No  superannuated  or  supernumerary  preacher  shall  be  a  benefi- 
ciary unless  he  has  held  effective  relations  for  five  years  after  his  admission 
in  full  connection  in  an  Annual  Conference,  nor  until  his  character  has 
been  passed  by  the  Conference. 

Second.  No  widow  of  a  preacher  shall  be  a  beneficiary  unless  she  has 
traveled  with  her  husband  in  effective  relations  for  five  years,  nor  for  a 
longer  time  than  she  remains  in  widowhood. 

Third.  Children  of  deceased  preachers  shall  cease  to  be  beneficiary  at  the 
age  of  fifteen ;  except  in  cases  of  mental  or  physical  incapacity. 


Preachers'  Aid  Society 


105 


Nevertheless,  the  Board  of  Trustees  may,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  suspend 
any  of  the  foregoing  restrictions,  in  such  cases  where  it  may  deem  proper 
to  do  so. 

Section  2.  Preachers  in  effective  relations  shall  not  be  beneficiaries  upon 
this  fund. 

ARTICLE  VI 

DISTRIBUTION 

Section  i.  The  annual  interest  accruing  from  the  fund  shall  be  appor- 
tioned among  and  remitted  to  the  beneficiaries,  by  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
during  the  month  of  October,  in  each  year. 

Section  2.  The  basis  of  appropriation  shall  be  the  years  of  effective  serv- 
ice rendered  by  the  preacher;  nevertheless,  it  being  the  object  of  this 
society  to  aid  only  such  persons  as  are  in  actual  need  of  its  help  in  order 
to  a  comfortable  support,  if  it  shall  appear  at  any  time  that  any  superan- 
nuated or  supernumerary  preacher,  or  widow  of  such,  has  an  actual  income 
from  other  sources,  which  reaches  the  average  annual  irfcome  from  salary 
and  donations,  of  the  effective  members  of  this  Conference,  he  or  she  shall 
not  be  allowed  a  claim  on  the  funds  of  this  Society. 

Section  3.  Whenever  there  is  serious  ground  to  suspect  that  any  benefi- 
ciary is  actually  receiving  from  other  sources  an  annual  income  which  is 
equal  to  the  average  annual  income,  from  salary  and  donations,  of  the 
effective  members  of  the  Conference,  he  shall  be  required  to  appear  before 
a  committee  of  the  Quarterly  Conference,  within  whose  bounds  he  may 
reside,  and  be  examined  touching  the  facts  in  the  case;  and  said  committee 
shall  send  a  report,  approved  by  the  Presiding  Elder  of  the  District,  of  the 
findings,  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Society. 

The  above  plan  was  adopted  at  the  session  of  Thursday  morn- 
ing. At  the  Saturday  morning's  session  subscriptions  were 
solicited  for  the  Preachers'  Aid  Society  fund,  and  $7,725  was 
subscribed  by  preachers  and  laymen.  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Pette- 
bone  gave  $2,000;  William  Connell,  $1,000;  Mrs.  William  Con- 
nell,  $1,000;  Mrs.  Mattie  Connell  Edgar,  a  memorial,  $1,000. 

Other  gifts  have  been  received,  some  before  the  organization 
of  the  Preachers'  Aid  Society  and  some  since :  Ira  Cargil  estate, 
$1,904.32;  D.  Bensley,  $2,000;  Rosman  Ingalls,  $400;  Z.  Pad- 
dock, $500;  Lowell  Harding,  $2,000;  Mrs.  Crary,  $9,500;  Mrs. 
D.  Wilbur,  $1,000;  Maria  Strong,  $200  (an  annuity)  ;  Mrs.  S.  M. 
Decker,  $1,000  (an  annuity)  ;  WilHam  Connell,  $1,100;  Mrs. 
William  Connell,  $1,100;  Charles  Schlager,  $500;  Mrs.  Pette- 
bone,  $500;  C.  D.  Jones,  $500;  Royal  W.  Clinton,  $271.50;  Mrs. 
Judge  Cool,  $400;  Jonathan  Wilbur,  $1,000.  With  the  accession 
of  Chenango  and  Oneonta  Districts  $2,264.59  was  added  to  the 
fund.  The  one  per  cent  of  preachers'  salaries  has  added  over 
$7,000.  In  1903  Mr.  William  Connell  gave  the  society  $5,000, 
and  the  society  received  $10,000  from  the  estate  of  Mrs.  Priscilla 


io6 


Wyoming  Conference 


Bennett.  The  fund  has  grown  until  at  this  writing  the  Confer- 
ence has  about  $60,000. 

Y.  C.  Smith,  D.D.,  acted  as  agent  of  the  society  in  1888  at 
a  salary  of  $300;  A.  Griffin,  D.D.,  was  agent  from  1894-96  at  a 
salary  of  $2,000  per  year;  and  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  was  agent  in  1897 
at  a  salary  of  $1,500. 

The  Conference  has  been  ably  served  by  the  following  trustees : 
George  Peck,  D.D.,  George  Lane,  Nelson  Rounds,  B.  W.  Gorham, 
E.  B.  Tenny,  V.  M.  Coryell,  C.  W.  Giddings,  Rosman  Ingalls, 
John  M.  Snyder,  H.  R.  Clarke,  D.D.,  H.  Brownscombe,  R.  Nel- 
son, D.D.,  C.  V.  Arnold,  P.  S.  Worden,  F.  L.  Hiller,  W.  G. 
Queal,  T.  Harroun,  W.  H.  Olin,  D.D.,  T.  P.  Halstead,  Y.  C. 
Smith,  D.D.,  D.  C.  Olmstead,  Royal  W.  Clinton,  William  Con- 
nell,  A.  Griffin,  D.D.,  J.  C.  Leacock,  L.  L.  Sprague,  D.D.,  A.  I. 
Decker,  and  S.  Jay. 

The  society  has  held  several  successful  anniversaries  in  con- 
nection with  our  Conference  sessions. 


Historical  Society 


107 


CHAPTER  VH 
HISTORICAIi  SOCIETY 

At  the  Conference  of  1887  ^^v.  H.  C.  McDermott  presented 
the  following  resolution : 

"Whereas,  The  last  General  Conference  having  requested  the 
Annual  Conferences  to  organize  Historical  Societies,  that  all 
facts,  documents,  relics,  and  reminiscences  that  relate  to  the 
origin  and  growth  of  our  Church,  which  may  be  of  historical 
value,  either  now  or  in  the  future,  may  be  preserved ;  and, 

''Whereas,  No  such  organization  exists  within  the  bounds  of 
this  Conference  ;  therefore,  be  it 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  form  of 
Constitution  for  a  Conference  Historical  Society,  and  report  the 
same  to  the  next  session.  H.  C.  McDermott, 

Manley  S.  Hard." 

After  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  the  bishop  appointed  the 
following  committee:  H.  C.  McDermott,  J.  F.  Warner,  M.  S. 
Hard,  T.  Harroun,  L.  L.  Sprague.  Three  members  of  this  com- 
mittee, H.  C.  McDermott,  T.  Harroun,  and  J.  F.  Warner,  met  at 
New  Milford,  on  September  14,  1887,  and  formulated  a  constitu- 
tion, which  was  adopted  by  the  Conference  of  1888. 

Constitution  Wyoming  Conference  Historical  Society 
ARTICLE  I 

NAME 

This  Society  shall  be  called  the  Wyoming  Conference  Historical  Society. 
ARTICLE  II 

OBJECTS 

The  objects  shall  be  to  collect  and  preserve  such  books,  pamphlets, 
papers,  relics,  and  portraits  as  shall  illustrate  the  origin  and  growth  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  having  special  reference  to  the  history  of  that 
Church  within  the  bounds  of  the  Wyoming  Conference;  and  to  promote 
a  knowledge  of  history  by  such  means  as  may  seem  best  adapted  to  that 
end. 

ARTICLE  III 

MEMBERSHIP 

Any  minister  or  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  may  become 
a  member  of  this  Society  by  signing  the  Constitution.  Honorary  and  cor- 
responding members  may  be  constituted  upon  recommendation  of  the 


io8 


Wyoming  Conference 


Executive  Committee,  and  election  by  the  Society;  provided  no  one  shall 
become  a  corresponding  member  who  resides  within  the  bounds  of  this 
Conference. 

ARTICLE  IV 

DUTIES  AND  PRIVILEGES  OF  MEMBERS 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  members  to  promote  the  objects  of  the  Society 
by  collecting  books,  pamphlets,  documents,  class-books,  records,  journals, 
relics,  portraits,  reminiscences,  or  other  matter  relating  to  the  history  and 
literature  of  Methodism;  and  ministerial  members  shall  furnish  biograph- 
ical sketches  of  themselves,  and  deposit  the  same  in  the  archives  of  the 
Society.  Members  shall  have  access  to  the  archives  under  the  rules  of  the 
Society. 

ARTICLE  V 

OFFICERS 

The  officers  of  this  Society  shall  be  elected  annually  by  ballot,  and  shall 
consist  of  a  President;  one  Vice  President  for  each  district;  a  Correspond- 
ing Secretary;  a  Recording  Secretary;  a  Treasurer;  an  Archivist,  and 
Librarian.    The  officers  shall  constitute  the  Executive  Committee. 

ARTICLE  VI 

DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS 

1.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  Society,  and  per- 
form such  other  duties  as  usually  pertain  to  presiding  officers  in  similar 
societies. 

2.  The  Vice  President  shall  peform  the  duties  of  the  President  in  his 
absence. 

3.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  conduct  the  general  correspond- 
ence of  the  Society ;  shall  notify  honorary  and  corresponding  members  of 
their  election;  shall  collect  and  preserve  materials  for  the  history  of  this 
Society;  shall  seek  by  correspondence  to  enlarge  its  historical  collection, 
and  shall  report  the  condition  of  the  Society  to  each  annual  meeting. 

4.  The  Recording  Secretary  shall  keep  a  correct  record  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  all  meetings  of  this  Society,  and  cause  the  same  to  be  entered  upon 
the  journal  after  approval.  He  shall  also  keep  a  full  list  of  the  names  of 
the  members  of  the  Society,  that  the  same  may  be  properly  catalogued. 

5.  The  Treasurer  shall  take  charge  of  all  moneys  of  the  Society;  pay  all 
bills  when  approved  by  the  Executive  Committee ;  keep  a  full  account  of 
all  receipts  and  expenditures,  and  report  the  same  to  the  annual  meeting. 

6.  The  Archivist  and  Librarian  shall  take  charge  of  all  books,  records, 
documents,  literary  contributions,  and  relics  belonging  to  the  Society.  He 
shall  classify  and  catalogue  all  such  articles,  and  be  responsible  for  the  care 
and  custody  of  the  same,  and  shall  reside  in  or  near  the  place  of  deposit 
of  said  archives. 

7.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  have  general  charge  of  the  affairs  of 
the  Society;  shall  arrange  for  the  annual  meeting  in  connection  with  tha 
session  of  the  Annual  Conference,  and  for  special  meetings  when  adjudged 
necessary;  said  committee  shall  provide  for  an  essay  or  address  at  each 
annual  meeting,  the  same  to  be  written  and  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the 
Society. . 


Historical  Society 


109 


ARTICLE  VII 

FINANCE 

The;  expenses  of  this  Society  shall  be  met  by  public  collections  at  its 
annual  meetings  by  donations,  bequests,  and  such  other  means  as  the 
Executive  Committee  shall  deem  advisable. 

ARTICLE  VIII 

AMENDMENTS,  ETC. 

This  Constitution  shall  not  be  altered  except  at  an  annual  meeting,  and 
upon  the  written  recommendation  of  at  least  five  members,  and  by  a 
majority  vote  of  all  members  present,  and  voting;  notice  of  the  proposed 
change  having  been  published  in  an  official  church  paper  circulating  within 
the  bounds  of  this  Conference,  one  month  previous. 

J.  F.  Warner,  Chairman. 
,    Thomas  Harroun. 

H.  C.  McDermott,  Secretary. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  society  it  has  held  several  anni- 
versaries. In  fact,  it  is  a  policy  of  the  society  to  hold  an  anni- 
versary service  once  in  two  years.  Its  anniversary  of  1902  was 
of  exceptional  interest.  It  marked  the  semicentennial  of  our 
Conference  history.  It  was  anticipated  that  the  Conference  of 
this  year  would  be  held  in  Carbondale,  the  place  of  the  first  Con- 
ference. The  burning  of  the  Carbondale  church  prevented,  and 
the  Conference  was  held  in  Waverly,  N.  Y.  This  caused  a  change 
in  the  plan  for  this  anniversary.  It  is  futile  to  speculate  about 
what  the  program  might  have  been  had  the  Conference  been  in 
Carbondale.  This  is  certain,  the  program  given  was  very  rich. 
Prayer  was  offered  by  Revs.  G.  W.  Leach  and  Thomas  Harroun. 
Rev.  C.  M.  Surdam  called  the  roll  of  the  first  Conference,  G.  W. 
Leach  and  C.  L.  Rice  being  the  only  ones  still  living  to  respond 
to  their  names.  Rev.  W.  L.  Thorpe  made  a  brief  address  upon 
"Why  Organize  the  Wyoming  Conference?"  in  which  he  argued 
that  it  was  a  necessity  arising  from  the  development  of  the 
country  and  Methodism.  A  duet  was  sung  by  Revs.  J.  B.  Sumner 
and  J.  C.  Leacock,  after  which  Rev.  C.  L.  Rice  read  the  following 
poem,  which  he  had  written  for  the  occasion : 

Carbondale  and  Some  of  Its  Guests  Fifty  Years  Ago 

'Twixt  granite  hills,  a  narrow  vale 
Denominated  Carbondale, 
With  many  toilers  underground. 
And  coal  for  millions  erst  was  found. 


no 


Wyoming  Conference 


There  rang  some  fifty  years  ago 
Glad  bells  of  welcome,  as  you  know, 
For  those  who  freely  gave  their  all 
In  answer  to  the  Master's  call. 
And  went  to  seek  and  save  the  lost 
At  any  sacrifice  or  cost, 
To  spread  the  name  of  Christ  abroad, 
And  call  poor  wanderers  back  to  God. 
Those  dear  old  friends  of  sterling  worth 
Have  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth ; 
But  precious  memories  remain, 
Refreshing  as  the  gentle  rain. 


This  town,  divided  into  wards. 
Boasted  its  Welsh  and  Irish  lords; 
City  of  huts,  and  mansions  few, 
It  rapidly  to  greatness  grew. 


A  Yankee  met  us  now  and  then. 
Also,  some  sturdy  Englishmen; 
The  honors  of  the  town  to  share. 
Old  Scotland's  sons  were  also  there. 


A  band  of  Methodists  devout. 

Who  dared  to  say  "Amen,"  and  shout. 

Strong  preachers,  found  in  Doctor  Clarke 

For  many  years  a  man  of  mark ; 

And  Gorham,  full  of  sweetest  song. 

With  sermons  eloquent  and  strong; 

And  he  who  governed  with  his  fiat. 

The  man  magnetic — William  Wyatt. 

By  these  inspired  they  made  the  call, 

"A  cordial  welcome  to  you  all." 

Then  came  the  guests,  each  in  his  order. 

From  every  charge  within  our  border ; 

Heading  the  ranks  we  see  on  deck 

The  stately  form  of  Doctor  Peck. 

One  had  received  the  doctorate. 

Who  edited  "Our  Advocate,"* 

And  who  became  about  this  date 

Our  pastor  at  the  county  seat,t 

A  genial,  friendly  man  to  meet. 

Then  a  presiding  elder  made,$ 

His  laurels  green  will  never  fade. 

More  scholarly  than  often  found — 

The  well-beloved  Nelson  Round. 


One  doctor  more,  revered  by  all. 
Was  well  proportioned,  six  feet  tall. 
In  Binghamton  did  long  reside. 
Four  years  as  elder  did  preside; 


♦  The  Northern,  1844-1848.         +  Wilkes-Barre.         X  Honesdale  District,  1852-1855. 


Historical  Poem  by  Rev.  C.  L.  Rice  hi 


A  man  of  learning  and  good  sense, 
And  not  inclined  to  give  offense; 
At  eighty  Doctor  Paddock  died, 
And  joined  in  heaven  the  glorified. 


These  three  protected  well  our  health, 
Which  we  regarded  more  than  wealth. 
These  latter  days  it  takes  a  score — 
Some  think  we  need  a  dozen  more, 
For  epidemics  now  prevail 
Enough  to  make  the  nation  wail. 
Less  medicine  and  more  to  eat, 
And  washing  one  another's  feet, 
Would,  no  doubt,  have  good  effect, 
And  crown  with  glory  our  elect. 


But  please  to  pardon  this  digression, 
Lest  we  should  make  a  bad  impression ; 
Let  playfulness  your  thoughts  beguile. 
And  please  your  ear,  and  win  a  smile. 


All  honor  to  the  later  growth, 
The  coming  ages  speak  their  worth, 
They're  born,  no  doubt,  to  fame, 
And  who  can  tell  what's  in  a  name? 


One  other  must  not  be  forgot 
The  worthy  name  of  Bishop  Scott. 
Six  candidates  were  deacons  made,* 
On  each  the  bishop's  hands  were  laid ; 
And,  can  it  be?   Alas,  alas! 
I  only  live  of  all  the  class : 
The  stronger  were  the  first  to  fall. 
And  I  was  the  weakest  of  them  all. 

Mrs.  Grace  Rounds  Dale  then  read  an  exceedingly  interesting 
article  on  "The  Work  of  Woman  in  Fifty  Years  within  Wy- 
oming." We  print  it  in  full,  as  it  contains  valuable  historic 
material : 

"To  do  justice  to  this  theme  one  should  give  the  history  of 
every  church  in  the  Conference;  for  in  each  church  is  found  a 
band  of  faithful  women,  a  goodly  number,  and  all  so  good  that 
it  would  be  a  pleasure  to  mention  every  one  by  name.  But  we 
know  that 

Tn  the  book  of  His  kingdom, 

On  the  page  white  and  fair. 
The  names  of  the  faithful 

Are  all  written  there.' 

*  A.  Bronson,  John  F.  Wilbur,  Jasper  W.  Hewitt,  Anthony  H.  Schoonmaker,  Amos  P.  Mead, 
Charles  L.  Rice. 


112 


Wyoming  Conference 


"  The  present  is  the  focus  of  the  past,  as  the  future  will  be  the 
focus  of  the  present,  and  we  can  only  determine  the  value  of  the 
past  by  what  the  present  is.'  We  trust  our  brief  sketch  will 
prove  both  the  value  of  the  labors  of  our  mothers  in  Methodism, 
whose  works  shine  in  a  halo  of  grand  character,  and  that  the 
success  we  have  attained  in  the  Women's  Societies  of  to-day  is 
but  the  fruit  of  their  labors  and  the  reward  of  their  faithfulness. 

''Holding  the  glass  of  time  over  fifty  years  of  Church  history, 
we  find  reflected  the  forms  of  loved  and  honored  men  and  women. 
Many  live  only  in  our  memories,  and  rnany  live  to-day,  bearing 
burdens,  singing  songs,  bestowing  generous  gifts,  lifting  high 
the  banner  of  the  cross.  These  forms  mingle  amid  interesting 
reminiscences,  full  of  touching  remembrances  and  rich  expe- 
riences. We  could  fill  these  pages  with  facts,  stranger  than 
fiction,  and  provide  tales  as  charming  as  any  romance,  for  fifty 
years  ago  the  tinge  of  Revolutionary  valor  and  enthusiasm  had 
not  entirely  faded  from  the  horizon — indeed,  it  had  been  carried 
info  the  Church,  where,  perhaps,  there  was  quite  as  much  need 
of  bravery  and  sacrifice.  We  are  proud  and  thankful  to  be  able 
to  trace  back  through  this  line  of  devoted  Christian  ancestors 
our  right  to  belong  to  the  grand  association  of  Daughters  of  the 
American  Revolution ;  and  quite  as  proud  and  thankful  of  our 
indisputable  claim  to  a  place  upon  the  roll  of  the  Daughters  of 
Methodism.  Born  in  a  Methodist  parsonage;  enrolled  a  Metho- 
dist by  infant  baptism ;  my  mother  a  daughter  of  John  Comfort, 
who  so  loved  Methodism  that  he  annually  gave  five  hundred 
dollars  for  Church  extension  and  education;  my  father  a  member 
of  both  Oneida  and  Wyoming  Conferences,  many  years  a  pastor, 
and  presiding  elder  of  four  districts,  professor  of  ancient  lan- 
guages in  Cazenovia  Seminary,  principal  of  the  Bethany  Semi- 
nary, editor  of  the  Northern  Christian  Advocate,  member  of  the 
Book  Committee  from  1848-52,  president  of  Willamette  Uni- 
versity, and  superintendent  of  education  in  the  State  of  Wash- 
ington ;  two  uncles  and  ten  cousins  being  on  the  roll  of  the 
Methodist  ministry:  all  make  the  earliest  recollections  and  pre- 
cious memories  of  my  childhood  those  of  the  Methodist  parsonage 
and  the  Methodist  Church. 

"The  ministers'  wives  of  thirty,  forty,  and  fifty  years  ago  were 
educated,  refined,  and  gifted  women,  who  labored  earnestly  for 
the  Church  without  the  help  of  organized  societies.  Their  chil- 
dren were  educated  along  all  lines  of  Church  work  and  pre- 
pared for  life's  duties  mostly  at  home.  Those  childhood  scenes  in 
the  parsonage,  can  we  ever  forget  them?   Do  you  remember  the 


Woman's  Work  in  the  Conference  113 

pictures  ?  Above  all  others  the  portrait  of  John  Wesley  ?  A  face 
which  must  influence  every  child  who  has  been  made  familiar 
with  his  history.  Then  the  picture  of  his  escape  from  the  burning 
rectory?  And  again  the  wonderful  picture  of  the  'sunrise 
service/  where  John  Wesley  preached  to  an  audience  of  thirty-two 
thousand  people  in  the  natural  amphitheater  of  Gwennap,  in 
England?  With  what  reverence  we  used  to  look  on  the  deathbed 
scene  of  that  holy  man !  It  was  from  these  pictures  the  children 
received  their  object  lessons  in  Methodism. 

"The  ministers'  wives  were  busy  women.  Their  homes  and 
Church  filled  their  hearts  and  time.  Yet,  between  the  periods  of 
moving,  they  managed  to  raise  flowers  and  grow  plants  till  the 
parsonages  became  homes  surrounded  with  beauty  and  filled  with 
an  atmosphere  of  Christian  sympathy  and  refinement. 

"The  custom  of  morning  and  evening  prayers  was  remarkable, 
as  well  as  spiritual,  in  feature.  Father  used  his  Hebrew  Bible  in 
the  morning  and  the  Greek  Testament  in  the  evening,  and  every 
child  with  his  own  Bible  reading  in  turn.  Mother  sat  in  the 
circle,  with  the  youngest  in  her  arms.  Those  influences  and  the 
tender,  earnest  prayers  of  mother  have  followed  us  through  life. 
How  much  they  have  blessed  us,  and  from  what  they  have  saved 
us,  who  can  tell? 

"Then  the  memories  of  the  fireside  tales  as  we  gathered  around 
mother's  chair  and  listened  to  her  personal  experiences,  from  the 
time  when,  as  a  child,  she  could  hear  the  cry  of  the  panther  in 
the  woods  near  her  home,  down  through  all  the  experiences  of 
moving  from  one  charge  to  the  next.  One  move  was  from  the 
most  northern  part  of  the  Conference  to  Wilkes-Barre  in  wagons. 
The  family  was  moved  in  installments,  for  we  were  an  old- 
fashioned  minister's  family.  I  remember  asking  my  father,  when 
he  had  been  telling  us  of  the  early  times  when  the  preachers' 
salaries  were  increased  so  much  per  child,  if  that  were  the  reason 
he  had  so  many  children. 

"The  women  of  Methodism  early  understood  that  the  Church 
expected  every  woman  to  do  her  duty;  and  long  before  the 
organization  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Societies  they  had  their 
sewing  circles,  pastors'  and  ladies'  aid  societies,  and  temperance 
unions.  So  that  the  history  of  the  Church  includes  the  history 
of  woman's  work,  and  the  building  of  every  church,  every 
parsonage,  has  been  to  some  degree  a  monument  of  woman's 
faithful  assistance. 

"We  would  love  to  dwell  upon  the  names  of  many  Christian 
women  who  have  been  active  in  education,  but  scarcely  dare  to 
8 


114 


Wyoming  Conference 


mention  any  lest  by  omission  we  shall  do  injustice  to  many  who 
have  rendered  Church  and  country  years  of  devoted  service. 
Old  Cazenovia  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  names  found  on  her 
roll  who  have  gone  out  to  fill  positions  as  ministers'  wives,  mis- 
sionaries, and  instructors.  Among  them  Miss  Hannah  Shoe- 
maker, Mrs.  Dr.  Reddy,  Mrs.  Dr.  Rounds,  Mrs.  Dr.  Peck,  and 
Mrs.  Dr.  Nelson,  who  came  to  Wyoming  Seminary  in  1844 
devoted  her  time  and  talents  to  that  institution  for  twenty-seven 
years,  filling  the  positions  of  matron,  teacher  of  English  and 
French,  and  for  many  years  having  charge  of  the  art  depart- 
ment— a  noble  woman,  of  large  gifts  and  gracious  insight.  What 
Cazenovia  was  to  our  mothers,  Wyoming  Seminary  has  been  to 
many  of  us.  Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  faithful  teach- 
ers, whose  influence  has  helped  to  ennoble  the  lives  of  many  who 
were  under  their  care  and  instruction.  Among  the  earlier  pre- 
ceptresses were  Miss  Ruth  Ingalls,  Miss  Frances  Worthing,  after- 
ward Mrs.  George  Porter,  Miss  Mary  E.  Wood,  afterward  Mrs. 
Y.  C.  Smith,  whose  names  are  still  familiar  to  the  Wyoming 
Conference. 

"Among  the  missionaries  sent  out  from  this  Conference  are 
the  familiar  names  of  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Judd,  Mrs.  David  Spencer, 
Mrs.  Dr.  Baldwin,  daughter  of  Rev.  B.  W.  Gorham,  Mrs.  Mary 
Chappel,  daughter  of  Rev.  P.  Holbrook.  But  the  missionary  zeal 
was  not  confined  to  the  parent  board.  In  the  month  of  June, 
1870,  Mrs.  Dr.  William  Butler,  so  many  years  connected  with 
the  work  in  India,  came  to  Binghamton  to  confer  with  Miss 
Fannie  Sparkes  regarding  her  appointment  as  missionary.  Dr. 
Olin,  then  pastor  of  the  Centenary  Church,  the  only  Methodist 
church  in  the  city,  invited  the  ladies  to  meet  Mrs.  Butler  at  his 
hSme.  At  that  informal  meeting  the  first  Woman's  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  Wyoming  Conference  was  organized,  with 
Mrs.  H.  R.  Clarke  as  president,  who  continued  for  many  years 
the  moving  spirit  of  the  society,  organizing  auxiliaries  through- 
out the  Conference.  In  the  following  October  Miss  Fannie 
Sparkes  sailed  for  India,  giving  the  Wyoming  Conference  the 
honor  of  furnishing  the  first  missionary  sent  out  by  the  New 
York  Branch  of  the  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society.  Mrs. 
Skidmore  once  said  that  Binghamton  was  a  city  known  in  many 
lands  as  the  home  of  Miss  Sparkes,  one  of  the  most  successful 
missionaries  ever  sent  to  foreign  lands. 

"This  society  has  prospered  greatly,  for  the  work  and  its  super- 
vision commanded  public  confidence.  Among  its  faithful  officers 
should  be  mentioned  Mrs.  Dr.  Hard,  who  for  several  years  filled 


Woman's  Work  in  the  Conference  115 

the  arduous  office  of  corresponding  secretary.  Since  her  resigna- 
tion and  removal  from  this  Conference  Miss  Sparkes  has  filled 
the  office. 

"The  auxiliary  at  Tabernacle  Church  feel  they  have  been 
honored  by  having  for  president  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Judd,  of  saintly 
memory. 

"It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  present  the  long  list  of  life  members 
of  this  society,  but  time  forbids.  Mrs.  N.  T.  Childs,  of  Bingham- 
ton,  however,  has  the  honor  of  being  the  first  life  manager  from 
this  Conference,  by  the  payment  of  $100. 

"The  early  minutes  of  this  society  were  lost  in  the  fire  which 
destroyed  the  residence  of  Dr.  Clarke.  But,  in  looking  through 
the  Conference  Minutes  from  1871  to  1901,  we  find  some  items 
which  prove  from  what  small  beginnings  great  things  may  grow. 
In  1 87 1  the  auxiliary  of  Providence,  Pa.,  is  the  only  one  reported, 
its  contribution  to  the  cause  being  $12.  Every  succeeding  year 
the  amount  raised  and  the  number  of  auxiliaries  have  increased 
until  to-day  there  are  108  auxiliaries  in  our  Conference,  with  a 
membership  of  2,706.  During  the  thirty  years  past  these  aux- 
iliaries have  paid  to  the  cause  of  missions  $65,617.92. 

"The  past  fifty  years  have  been  full  of  stirring  events.  Wars 
and  rumors  of  wars  have  filled  our  fives  with  lessons  never  to  be 
forgotten,  with  results  which  affect  not  only  our  own  country 
but  many  others.  'The  world  is  centering  in  America.  We  reach 
out  one  hand  and  touch  all  Europe,  we  reach  out  the  other  hand 
and  touch  all  Asia.'  Hither  are  coming  the  peoples  from  all 
lands.  To  meet  her  obligations  America  must  become  broadly 
and  deeply  Christian. 

"The  desire  to  meet  their  share  of  the  obHgation  resting  upon 
the  Church  led  the  women  of  Methodism  to  establish  the 
Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society,  'To  enlist  and  organize  the 
efforts  of  Christian  women  in  behalf  of  the  needy  and  destitute 
women  and  children  of  all  sections  of  our  country,  without  dis- 
tinction of  race,  and  to  cooperate  with  the  other  societies  and 
agencies  of  the  Church  in  educational  and  missionary  work.' 
The  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society  of  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence was  organized  in  April,  1883,  at  Centenary  Church,  Bing- 
hamton.  Bishop  Wiley  presided  at  the  session  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference this  year.  We  believe  this  was  a  happy  coincidence,  for 
the  society  attributes  its  origin  to  Bishop  Wiley.  In  Dr.  Buck- 
ley's History  of  Methodism  he  recognizes  Bishop  Wiley  as  the 
originator  of  the  society.  Bishop  Wiley  said  at  one  time: 
'Woman's  susceptibility  is  an  admirable  trait  in  her  character, 


ii6 


Wyoming  Conference 


adapting  her  to  this  great  work.  It  enables  her  so  readily  to 
detect  human  sorrow  and  human  need.  She  perceives  the 
readiest  mode  of  gaining  access  to  the  hearts  of  those  whom  she 
would  benefit,  and  at  the  same  time  exercises  a  power  of  persua- 
sion which  prevails  where  other  means  have  failed.  We  often 
think  that  the  hearts  of  women  must  yearn  to  hear  Christ  de- 
clared by  woman's  lips,  to  catch  the  inspiration  in  all  its  delicacy 
from  a  woman's  heart.'  This  quotation  was  once  read  in  the 
presence  of  Bishop  Wiley,  when  he  said,  1  had  forgotten,  until 
I  heard  it  repeated,  that  I  had  ever  said  so  bright  a  thing.'  The 
reply  was  made,  'It  was  a  bright  thing,  and  we  love  to  repeat  it.' 
So,  we  love  to  refer  to  the  fact  that  our  Conference  society  was 
organized  at  a  session  of  Conference  at  which  Bishop  Wiley 
presided. 

"At  that  time  Mrs.  R.  S.  Rust  came  to  the  Conference  with 
Mrs.  L.  M.  Dunton,  of  Orangeburg,  S.  C,  who  gave  the  address. 
Mrs.  Rust  called  a  meeting,  which  was  attended  by  interested 
women  and  ministers.  The  result  of  this  meeting  was  the  first 
auxiliary  in  this  Conference.  The  officers  appointed  were:  Mrs. 
J.  Hartwell,  president;  Mrs.  E.  M.  Caswell,  corresponding  sec- 
retary. For  seven  years  Mrs.  Hartwell  filled  the  office  of  presi- 
dent, and  during  that  time  the  number  of  auxiliaries  grew  from 
one  to  twenty,  organized  by  the  personal  efforts  of  Mrs.  Hartwell, 
who  traveled  at  her  own  expense  from  one  end  of  the  Conference 
to  the  other,  organizing  in  one  of  these  journeys  nine  auxiliaries. 
The  corresponding  secretary,  Mrs.  Caswell,  leaving  for  the 
Pacific  coast.  Miss  Maria  Judd  was  elected  to  fill  her  term.  Since 
that  time  this  very  important  office  has  been  filled  by  faithful  and 
competent  women — Mrs.  E.  S.  Tupper,  five  years;  Mrs.  O.  P. 
Wright,  two  years ;  Mrs.  E.  Robins,  three  years,  after  whom  Mrs. 
George  B.  Kulp,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  was  elected  and  has  served 
most  efficiently  until  now.  In  1886  Mrs.  H.  H.  Crary,  of  Bing- 
hamton,  was  elected  treasurer,  and  served  two  years,  when  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  F.  H.  Haskins  was  elected  and  has  held  the  office 
fourteen  years,  performing  the  duties  of  the  office  so  faithfully, 
so  methodically,  so  perfectly,  that  we  hope  to  retain  her  in  that 
office  for  a  much  longer  period.  The  receipts  of  the  society  the 
first  year  were  $578,  Mrs.  P.  L.  Bennett  giving  $500  of  that 
amount  for  the  work  in  Utah. 

"The  society  is  now  organized  in  the  six  districts,  with  forty- 
nine  (49)  auxiliaries,  bands,  and  circles,  having  a  membership 
of  1,640.  The  cash  receipts  of  this  society  from  1883-1901  by 
payment  of  dues  and  special  gifts  have  been  $30,742.75.  Much 


Deaconess  Work 


117 


of  the  success  of  this  society  is  due  to  the  untiring  zeal  of  the 
Conference  president,  Mrs.  Dr.  Pearce,  who  for  ten  years  has 
been  a  source  of  inspiration  and  help  to  all.  We  are  glad  of  this 
opportunity  to  give  a  loving  tribute  to  her  devotion,  expressing 
our  appreciation  of  her  labors,  and  our  regret  that  she  wiW  be  no 
more  numbered  among  the  workers  of  Wyoming  Conference. 
Mrs.  Dr.  C.  E.  Mogg,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  succeeds  her  in  office, 
with  prospect  of  much  usefulness.  Mrs.  P.  L.  Bennett,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  has  been  a  generous  supporter  and  friend  of  the 
society  from  the  very  beginning,  giving  annually  from  $500  to 
$1,000  for  the  cause  so  dear  to  her  heart.  Many  members  have 
left  us  bequests  to  be  used  to  further  the  work  they  loved  so  well, 
among  them  one  of  $25,000,  the  largest  ever  received  by  the 
Home  Society. 

"Mrs.  J.  W.  Thomas,  the  Conference  secretary  of  the  Bureau 
of  Supplies,  reports  that  supplies  have  been  sent  to  the  frontier 
and  the  South,  during  the  five  years  she  has  held  office,  valued  at 
$11,727.37. 

"Mrs.  Dr.  Griffin,  who  has  been  Conference  secretary  of  dea- 
coness work,  reports  five  young  ladies  from  this  Conference  at- 
tending the  training  school  in  Washington  during  this  time. 
Miss  Standish,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  who  is  self-supporting,  is  taking 
the  course  of  nurse  deaconess.  Miss  Rose  E.  Santee,  daughter 
of  Rev.  J.  B.  Santee,  has  graduated  and  is  doing  most  excellent 
work  in  Portland,  Me.  Miss  Eliza  Blackburn,  of  Plymouth,  is 
now  in  the  school  and  very  highly  spoken  of  by  the  preceptress. 
The  Conference  has  raised  toward  the  tuition  of  these  young 
ladies  $270.  It  has  also  sent  supplies  to  the  training  school 
and  to  Sibley  Hospital  valued  at  $92.33.  These  amounts 
added  to  the  value  of  supplies  sent  and  money  raised  make 
a  grand  total  of  $42,832.45  raised  by  the  Woman's  Home 
Missionary  Society. 

"The  women  of  Wyoming  Conference  rejoice  that  they  had  at 
least  a  part  in  bringing  to  pass  the  great  moral  victory  which 
occurred  in  Washington  during  the  past  year.  Many  names  of 
our  consecrated  women  were  inscribed  on  the  petition  against 
the  seating  of  Roberts,  of  Utah.  The  curse  of  Utah  must  touch 
every  woman's  heart,  and  we  must  continue  to  pray  that  this  evil 
may  cease  to  defy  the  moral  sense  of  our  nation. 

"Do  you  remember  the  eulogy  on  the  Methodist  Church  given 
by  our  martyred  President,  Abraham  Lincoln,  during  the  civil 
war?  He  said:  Tt  is  no  fault  in  others  that  the  Methodist 
Church,  by  its  greater  numbers,  sends  more  soldiers,  more  nurses 


Tl8 


Wyoming  Conference 


to  the  hospitals,  and  more  prayers  to  heaven  than  any  other.' 
With  these  words  ringing  in  our  ears,  let  the  women  of  Wyoming 
Conference  go  forth  with  consecrated  zeal  to  help  save  the  nation 
by  giving  ourselves  to  the  saving  of  individual  men  and  women ! 
'Let  it  be  our  happiness  each  day  to  add  to  the  happiness  of  those 
around  us,  to  comfort  some  sorrow,  to  relieve  some  want,  to  add 
some  strength  to  our  neighbor's  virtue.'  " 

A  medley  was  then  sung,  after  which  Dr.  L.  L.  Sprague  read 
an  article  on  "Why  the  Wyoming  Conference  Has  Won :" 

"Have  we  won?  Let  us  see.  In  1852  the  membership  of  the 
Conference  in  probationers,  members,  and  local  preachers  was 
12,790.  In  1900  the  membership  was  49,470.  Deducting  from  this 
the  membership  of  the  charges  set  of?  from  the  Oneida  Conference 
in  1868,  we  have  a  membership  occupying  the  original  territory  of 
40,437,  making  an  increase  of  two  hundred  and  sixteen  per  cent. 
The  population  of  the  United  States  in  1852  was  twenty-four  and 
a  half  millions.  In  1890  it  was  seventy-five  and  a  half  millions, 
making  an  increase  of  population  in  the  United  States  of  two 
hundred  and  eight  per  cent.  The  increase  of  the  membership  of 
the  Conference  is  greater  than  this  by  eight  per  cent.  The  com- 
parison will  appear  even  more  favorable  when  we  remember  that 
the  larger  share  of  the  growth  of  the  national  population  has 
come  through  the  filling  up  of  the  vast  territorial  domain  of  the 
West  by  migration  from  the  Middle  States,  the  East,  and  immi- 
gration from  foreign  countries.  It  is  very  clear,  then,  that  the 
Conference  in  running  a  race  with  national  growth  has  come  out 
very  perceptibly  ahead.  So,  then,  from  this  standard  we  have 
won ;  and  this  is  saving  much,  for  we  remember  that  the  growth 
of  the  great  republic  is  the  giant  phenomenon  of  the  ages.  It 
took  Rome  seven  hundred  years  to  become  imperial  Rome.  It 
took  England  more  than  a  thousand  years  from  the  time  that  the 
Romans  left  it  to  become  a  respectable  nation. 

"It  has  taken  the  United  States  less  than  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  years  to  become  the  greatest  power  of  the  world — a 
power  that  in  three  months  humbled  to  the  very  dust  proud  Cas- 
tilian  Spain,  for  centuries  the  proudest  blood  that  flowed  in  the 
veins  of  men. 

"So  it  is  saying  much  when  Methodism  keeps  neck  and  neck 
with  such  tremendous  advancement;  and  we  must  remember, 
furthermore,  that  the  immigrrant  who  helps  so  much  to  increase 
our  population  is  not  usually  a  Methodist.  He  does  not  come 
from  soil  where  Methodism  is  indigenous.  If  he  becomes  a 
Methodist  he  has  to  be  converted.    I  repeat,  then,  that  we  have 


Why  We  Have  Won 


119 


won  grandly  in  membership.  Let  us  take  another  view.  Among 
the  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  Annual  Conferences,  Wy- 
oming stands  twenty-fourth  on  a  basis  of  membership.  It  also 
stands  thirteenth  in  the  probable  value  of  its  Church  property. 
These  are  winning  positions  in  the  confederation  of  Conferences. 
In  1853  we  had  $177,000  worth  of  church  property,  exclusive  of 
debts  ;  in  1900,  $4,193,000,  a  gain  of  twenty-two  hundred  per  cent. 
We  may  therefore  regard  it  as  settled  that  we  have  won,  and  may 
proceed  at  once  to  show  why  we  have  won. 

"First,  we  are  located  territorially  in  the  winning  belt.  We  are 
far  enough  from  the  north  pole  not  to  be  frozen,  and  far  enough 
from  the  equator  not  to  be  enervated  by  the  heat.  We  are  in  the 
zone  of  power,  on  the  parallel  of  latitude  along  which  the  winning 
nations  of  the  earth  have  existed.  We  have  had  mountains  to 
climb  as  well  as  easy  plains  to  saunter  along.  We  have  had  the 
penury  of  the  'Sorrel  District'  as  well  as  the  richness  of  the  Wy- 
oming Valley.  And  it  is  well  that  we  had  the  mountains  and  the 
'Sorrel  District.'  Sunny  plains  with  unvarying  fertility  are  not 
the  best  fiber  builders  or  character  makers.  We  owe  much  as  a 
nation  to  the  gray  rocks,  the  hills,  and  the  sturdy  forests  that  our 
forefathers  contended  with  in  New  England.  Our  nation  would 
be  a  different  nation  from  what  it  now  is  if  it  had  been  born  on 
the  sunny  plains  of  the  South  or  at  the  Golden  Gate  instead  of  on 
Plymouth  Rock.  Take  Greece,  that  most  marvelous  intellectual 
and  physical  development  of  ancient  times.  The  historian  asks 
if  Greece  had  remained  forever  what  it  was  during  the  tertiary 
epoch — a  vast  plain  attached  to  the  deserts  of  Libya,  run  over  by 
the  lion  and  rhinoceros — whether  it  would  have  been  the  home 
of  Phidias,  ^schylus,  and  Demosthenes,  and  answers,  'Certainly 
not.*  But  as  it  now  is  the  land  is  a  vast  series  of  mountains  and 
valleys.  Every  city  or  town  has  its  amphitheater,  its  hill  or 
mountain,  its  Acropolis.  Greece  had  its  Olympus,  its  Ossa  and 
Pelion,  and  its  G^ta  with  its  Thermopylae  as  well  as  its  plains  of 
Attica  and  vales  of  Thessaly  with  their  sparkling  waters.  God 
has  made  the  hills  an  avenue  of  moral,  intellectual,  and  physical 
fiber.  Look  at  the  Waldenses  of  the  Italian  Alps.  Where  in  the 
world  do  we  find  an  intenser  religious  faith  and  fortitude  than 
we  find  in  the  Waldenses,  the  Protestant  people  of  Italy?  The 
Wyoming  Conference  has  a  good  proportion  of  hills  all  the  way 
from  the  beautiful  highlands  of  Otsego  County,  that  have  bred 
more  Methodist  preachers  and  more  great  men  than  any  other 
equal  territory,  I  believe,  in  the  Union,  to  the  Blue  Ridge  spurs 
that  encircle  the  Wyoming  Valley.   These  have  stimulated  effort 


120 


Wyoming  Conference 


and  have  bred  determined  and  courageous  men.  This  is  one 
reason  why  we  have  won. 

"Still  another  is  we  were  well-born.  Some  one  has  said  to  be 
strong  we  must  select  strong  parents  to  be  born  from.  Francis 
Asbury,  Anning  Owen,  the  great  apostle  to  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
Benjamin  Bidlack,  Valentine  Cook,  William  Colbert  were  noble 
sires  of  still  more  noble  men,  if  possible.  These  were  great  cap- 
tains in  the  army  of  the  Lord,  and  their  leadership  made  noble 
soldiers.  They  were  winners,  and  they  breathed  the  spirit  of 
victory  into  their  followers.  They  endured  hardness  as  good 
soldiers.  They  traversed  forests,  swam  their  horses  across 
swollen  streams,  fasted  often  voluntarily  and  often  necessarily, 
ate  frozen  turnips  in  the  absence  of  other  food,  slept  on  hard 
floors  with  hay  for  pillows,  thrashed  rowdies  who  disturbed  their 
meetings  and  threw  them  into  the  street,  and  then  stood  solidly 
against  the  door  to  prevent  the  escape  of  those  who  listened  un- 
willingly to  their  preaching  and  who  often  before  the  sermon 
ended  fell  upon  their  knees  and  cried  for  pardon.  They  were 
keen  of  intellect  and  strong  in  grace.  They  smote  wickedness 
hip  and  thigh.  They  preached  the  word,  in  season,  out  of  season, 
reproving,  rebuking,  exhorting  with  all  long-suffering  and  doc- 
trine, and  of  course  were  winners,  and  they  bequeathed  to  us  the 
sublimest  examples  of  winning. 

"But  if  these  were  responsible  for  our  birth,  let  us  come  down 
to  the  time  of  our  christening  in  1852.  Who  were  present  to  give 
us  tutelage  and  inspiration  to  heroic  deeds?  Among  the  men  of 
the  Conference  were  George  Peck,  Reuben  Nelson,  Nelson 
Rounds,  Zachariah  Paddock,  David  A.  Shepard,  Horatio  Clarke, 
William  Wyatt,  and  other  noble  ones  some  of  whom,  as  Paul 
says,  'remain  unto  this  present.'  Among  superannuated  preach- 
ers were  George  Lane,  at  one  time  one  of  the  Book  Agents  at 
New  York;  Marmaduke  Pierce,  who  entered  the  ministry  in 
1812;  Jonathan  Worthing,  who  entered  in  1810;  and  John  Kim- 
berlin,  who  entered  in  1808. 

"These  were  men  who  had  fought  on  great  battlefields,  and 
the  fires  of  those  battles  still  kindled  their  eyes.  They  were  still 
heroes  even  though  the  sword  were  sheathed  and  laid  aside.  We 
stood  by  their  bent  forms  and  heard  of  the  great  deeds  that  had 
been  wrought  in  the  past,  and  we  caught  their  inspiration  and 
were  determined  to  emulate  those  deeds.  Our  standard  was  set 
by  them,  and  we  had  but  to  work  up  to  the  standard  to  be  sure 
winners.  George  Peck  was  the  most  prominent  and  influential 
man  in  the  new  Conference. 


Wyoming  Seminary 


121 


"Reuben  Nelson  was  another  man  of  strong  personality  and 
of  pronounced  influence  in  shaping  the  best  work  of  the  Confer- 
ence. As  a  man  he  was  of  indomitable  energy,  of  great  moral 
power,  and  an  eloquent  preacher  of  especially  superior  hortatory 
ability.  Of  Rounds,  Paddock,  Shepard,  Clarke,  and  Wyatt  I 
knew  but  little  except  of  their  reputation  as  great  preachers  and 
administrators  and  as  men  abounding  in  every  good  word  and 
work.  They  were  royal  and  heroic  leaders  and  led  the  hosts  of 
God  to  constant  victories. 

"Wyoming  Seminary,  the  Conference  school,  has  been  a  power- 
ful auxiliary  in  serving  the  best  interests  of  the  Conference. 
Christianity  in  all  ages  has  ever  utilized  intellectual  culture  and 
made  it  a  powerful  factor  in  its  work.  Origen,  Athanasius,  and 
other  early  Christians  flocked  to  the  Alexandrian  Library  as 
naturally  as  doves  flock  to  their  cotes.  Methodism  has  always 
remembered  the  place  of  its  birth — Oxford  University.  Wy- 
oming Conference  owned  at  one  time  two  seminaries  and  one  so- 
called  university.  One  seminary  and  the  university  died  in  their 
infancy.  Wyoming  Seminary  has  continued  a  strong,  beneficent, 
and  fruitful  life.  Her  children  are  as  green  olive  trees  and  are 
numbered  by  the  thousand.  She  has  taken  the  children  of 
Methodists  and  trained  them  in  the  faith  of  their  fathers  while 
giving  them  sound  mental  culture.  She  has  taken  the  children 
of  other  denominations  and  while  training  them  intellectually 
they  have  imbibed  a  higher  respect  for  Methodism  and  a  broader 
view  of  our  Lord's  Christianity.  Her  diplomas  are  found  in 
every  land  and  in  every  clime.  She  has  sent  nearly,  or  quite,  five 
hundred  young  men  into  the  ministry,  several  of  whom  have  gone 
into  mission  work.  More  than  fifteen  thousand  young  people 
have  been  brought  into  contact  with  Methodist  culture,  prayers, 
songs,  and  fires,  and  if  they  have  not  become  actual  Christians  I 
believe  that  they  are  in  warmer  sympathy  and  in  closer  touch 
with  Christianity  and  have  a  sincere  determination  ultimately  to 
get  to  heaven  because  of  their  attrition  with  Methodism  in  one  of 
her  Conference  seminaries.  The  seminary  has  helped  the  Con- 
ference to  win. 

"But  there  is  a  greater  and  more  fundamental  reason  than  any 
of  these  why  we  have  won.  It  is  found  in  the  genius  and  spirit  of 
Methodism.  This  spirit  was  enunciated  by  one  of  the  greatest 
men  of  recent  centuries  when  he  said,  'The  world  is  my  parish.* 
The  Methodist  preacher  in  his  true  form  is  a  hero  and  a  winner. 
He  has  an  imperturbable  faith,  an  unquenchable  zeal,  and  a 
courage  that  is  undismayed.    He  is  the  very  personification 


122 


Wyoming  Conference 


of  the  true  warrior.  He  is  fearless,  self-sacrificing,  persistent, 
'avoiding  softness  and  needless  self-indulgence.'  He  has  iron 
in  his  blood  as  well  as  love  in  his  heart.  He  is  the  man  on  horse- 
back with  headquarters  in  the  field.  Alexander  was  never  more 
eager  for  more  worlds  to  conquer  than  he  is  for  further  conquest 
for  his  divine  Master.  Methodism  believes  in  a  free  salvation, 
the  witness  of  the  Spirit,  and  that  we  are  to  strive  for  full  sancti- 
fication.  It  has  kept  in  full  recognition  the  command,  'Go  teach 
all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,'  and  the  promise  that  followed  the 
command,  'Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world.'  Wyoming  Conference  has  tried  to  obey  this  command, 
and  though  our  courage  has  been  tested  it  has  been  constant  be- 
cause of  the  assurance  that  supplemented  the  command.  Then, 
because  of  the  genius  of  Methodism,  because  our  Conference  has 
tried  to  be  obedient  to  the  divine  command,  and  because  we  have 
been  courageous  and  gone  forth  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
are  mainly  why  we  have  won." 

Wyoming  Seminary  has  given  the  Historical  Society  the  use 
of  a  room  in  Nelson  Memorial  Hall  where  may  be  found  a  goodly 
number  of  interesting  articles  of  historical  value.  Here  one  may 
see  the  saddle  with  which  Joseph  Hartwell  began  his  ministry; 
George  H.  Blakeslee's  valise,  of  singular  shape ;  D.  C.  Olmstead's 
saddlebags ;  a  set  of  Disciplines ;  several  volumes  of  the  New 
York  Christian  Advocate;  two  complete  sets  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference Minutes;  Methodist  Review  1818-26,  1858-84,  1857-81 
(it  is  hoped  that  this  set  may  be  completed)  ;  about  one  hundred 
volumes  from  the  library  of  Nelson  Rounds ;  Bostwick  Hawley's 
desk;  Plan  of  Entertainment  of  Oneida  Conference  held  in 
Wilkes-Barre  in  1843 ;  cinders  from  Anning  Owen's  blacksmith 
shop ;  a  letter  from  John  Wesley  to  his  sister.  Pictures  are  to  be 
seen  on  the  wall,  among  them  the  Conference  picture  taken  at 
Honesdale  in  1869  by  E.  J.  Stearns,  and  the  group  taken  at 
Binghamton  in  1890,  by  W.  N.  Cobb,  pictures  of  the  General  Con- 
ference of  1864,  the  Conference  Trio,  the  Old  Ship  Zion,  Jesse 
T.  Peck,  George  Peck,  Mrs.  Deborah  Bedford  (who  lived  to  be 
ninety-six  years  old),  A.  J.  Kynett,  W.  A.  Spencer,  M.  S.  Hard 
and  wife,  Hon.  J.  C.  Lattimer  and  wife.  Numerous  pamphlets, 
sermons,  minutes  of  district  ministerial  associations,  a  copy  of  the 
Journal  of  Genesee  Conference  from  1810  to  1828  inclusive,  quite 
a  number  of  volumes  of  historical  interest,  and  a  number  written 
by  men  who  were  identified  with  Methodism  in  Wyoming  Con- 
ference.  A  very  gratifying  beginning  has  been  made.   We  have 


Officers  of  Historical  Society 


123 


a  chance  to  gather  a  fine  historical  collection.  It  can  be  done  with 
the  hearty  cooperation  of  the  members  of  our  Conference. 

The  present  officers  are :  C.  E.  Mogg,  president ;  Presiding 
Elders,  vice  presidents ;  L.  C.  Miirdock,  secretary ;  C.  M.  Surdam, 
recording  secretary;  L.  L.  Sprague,  librarian;  O.  L.  Severson, 
treasurer;  W.  J.  Hill,  archivist. 


124 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  VIII 


]VIATTERS  IX  GENERAL. 
Constituent  Members 


Arnold,  C.  V. 
Barker,  A.,  sy. 
Barter,  S.  S. 
Bartlett,  P. 
Bibbins,  E.,  sd. 
Blakeslee,  G.  H. 
Breckinridge,  E.  W. 
Bridgeman,  P.  G.,  sd. 
Bronson,  A. 
Brooks,  A. 
Brownscombe,  H. 
Carrier,  Marcus 
Chubbuck,  F,  S. 
Clarke,  H.  R. 
Cooper,  J.  B. 
Coryell,  V.  M.,  sy. 
Davison,  J.  W. 
Dewitt,  N.  S. 
Ellis,  Benjamin,  sy. 
Elwell,  King 
Giddings,  C.  W. 
Gorham,  B.  W. 
Grimes,  J.  M. 
Harris,  C.  W.,  sd. 
Harvey,  C.  H. 
Hewitt,  J.  W. 
Illman,  F. 
Ingalls,  R. 
Johnson.  Ahira,  sd. 
Judd,  Gaylord,  sd. 
Kimberlin,  John,  sd. 
Lane.  George,  sd. 
Leach,  G.  W. 
McDowall,  O.  M. 
Mead,  A.  P. 
Morse,  O.  F. 


Mulkey,  J. 
Nelson,  R. 
Olmstead,  D.  C. 
Owen,  E. 
Paddock,  Z. 

Pearce,  Marmaduke,  sd. 
Pearne,  W.  H. 
Peck,  George 
Peck,  G.  M. 
Perkins,  C. 
Pitts,  Levi 
Porter,  G.  P. 
Reed,  Fitch 
Rice,  C.  L. 
Roberts,  W. 
Rose,  R.  S. 
Round,  William 
Rounds,  Nelson 
Safford,  J.  D. 
Schoonmaker,  A.  H. 
Shelp,  William 
Shepard,  D.  A. 
Silsbee,  William 
Smith,  E. 
Snyder,  J.  M. 
Sperry,  A.  C. 
Taylor,  C.  E. 
Tenny,  E.  B. 
Torry,  D.,  sd. 
Whitham.  Joseph 
Wilbur,  J.  F. 
Wilcox,  T. 
Worden,  P.  S.,  sd. 
Worthing.  Jonathan,  sd. 
Wyatt,  William 


Received  into  Full 

1852 

C.  L.  Rice 

A.  Bronson 

J.  F.  Wilbur 

J.  W.  Hewitt 

A.  H.  Schoonmaker 

A.  P.  Mead 


Membership  from  Trial 

1853 

W.  Shelp 
M.  Carrier 
S.  S.  Barter 
W.  Roberts 


Admissions  from  Trial 


i8S4 

J.  H.  Cargill 
Joseph  S.  David 

i85S 

W.  B.  Thomas 
S.  E.  Walworth 
J.  K.  Peck 
S.  W.  Weiss 
Luther  Peck 
Davison  Worrall 
Albert  Brigham 
W.  B.  Kinney 
A.  W.  Loomis 
J.  V.  Newell 
S.  S.  Kennedy 
L.  Cole 

R.  Van  Valkenburg 
H.  T.  Avery 
E.  F.  Roberts 
T.  D.  Walker 
George  L.  Griffin 


1856 

J.  La  Bar 
Miner  Swallow 
C.  White 

A.  F.  Harding 
David  Williams 
J.  W.  Munger 
Welcome  Smith 

1857 

Joshua  Lewis 
Francis  Spencer 
John  Bradbury 
E.  Sibley 

B.  B.  Emory 
C  W.  Judd 

E.  F.  Roberts  (readmitted) 
J.  J.  Pierce  (readmitted) 

1858 

Y.  C.  Smith 
T.  J.  W.  Sullivan 
G.  A.  Severson 
A.  P.  Aiken 
George  R.  Hair 
1.  P.  Towner 
Philip  Holbrook 
Henry  Wheeler 
Silas  Barner 
Julius  A.  Baldwin 


1859 

N.  W.  Everett 
Thomas  Burgess 
Joseph  Madison 
Henry  Stanley 

i860 

Ira  T.  Walker 
W.  J.  Judd 
Jacob  Miller 


1861 

William  Keatley 
David  Personeus 
F.  L.  Hiller 


1862 

J.  G.  Eckman 
J.  O.  Woodruff 
W.  H.  Gavitt 
C.  W.  Todd 


1863 

Gabriel  Westfall 
George  P.  Porter 
Judson  L.  Legg 
A.  J.  Van  Cleft 


1864 

L.  C.  Floyd 
Stephen  Elwell 
Jesse  T.  Crowell 
S.  F.  Wright 
Taylor  D.  Swartz 
George  Comfort 
Ira  N.  Pardee 


1865 

William  P.  Abbott 
William  B.  Westlake 


1866 

Winfield  S.  Smyth 
S.  F.  Brown 

A.  J.  Arnold 
George  C.  Hart 
N.  S.  Reynolds 

B.  D.  Sturdevant 


126 


Wyoming  Conference 


1867 

Isaac  Austin 
W.  M.  Hiller 
J.  D.  Woodruff 
J.  H.  Weston 
S.  T.  Cramp 

1868 

George  Greenfield 
H.  H.  Dresser 
J.  C.  Leacock 
Philip  Krohn 
George  Pritchett 

G.  M.  Chamberlain 
Richard  Varcoe 
Edgar  M.  High 

1869 

Charles  A.  Ward 
R.  Hiorns 
McKendree  Shaw 
C.  D,  Shepard 
George  Forsyth 

H.  G.  Harned 

1870 

F.  A.  King 

J.  Underwood 

J.  L.  Race 

M.  D.  Matoon 

S.  W.  Lindsley 

George  W.  Reynolds 

A.  D.  Alexander 

A.  M.  Colegrove 

P.  Krohn  (readniitted) 

M,  Shaw  (readmitted) 

1871 

O.  M.  Martin 

H.  M.  Crydenwise 

R.  W.  Van  Schoick 

M.  D.  Fuller 

P.  R.  Tower 

J.  B.  Sumner 

J.  D.  Bloodgood 

J.  N.  Lee 

J.  A.  Wood 

R.  J.  Kellogg 

A.  W.  Barrows 

1872 

S.  J.  Austin 

C.  S.  Alexander 

D.  Larish 


J.  B.  Santee 
G.  E.  Hathaway 
E.  W.  Caswell 
A.  S.  Clarke 
J.  H.  Taylor 
J.  C.  Shelland 
Hu  Po  Mi 


1873 
N.  J.  Hawley 
G.  T.  Price 
J.  F.  Warner 
J.  R.  Angell 


1874 

John  F.  Williams 
Josiah  R.  Wagner 
P.  M.  Mott 
J.  B.  Davis 
C.  O.  Hanmer 
L.  A.  Wild 
A.  J.  Cook 


1875 

H.  C.  McDermott 

J.  Hartwell 

S.  W.  Spencer 

A.  G.  Bartholomew 

G.  C.  Lyman 

S.  C.  Fulton 

J.  H.  Boyce 

J.  T.  Burrall 

D.  C.  Barnes 

William  J.  Hill 


1876 

S.  Homan 
S.  H.  Wood 
Elijah  Snell 
L.  L.  Sprague 
H.  B.  Cook 

F.  C.  Gendall 
R.  C  Gill 

J.  S.  Southworth 

A.  B.  Richardson 

J.  R.  Allen 

Ziba  Evans 

C.  Fay  Olmstead 

George  O.  Beers 

George  C.  Andrews 

1877 

T.  C  Roskelly 

G.  M.  Colville 


Admissions  from  Trial 


E.  L.  Bennett 

J.  B.  Chynoweth 
Stephen  Jay 
B.  P.  Ripley 
J.  G.  Stevens 

F.  A.  Dony 
D.  F.  Waddell 


1878 

A.  W.  Hood 
E.  L.  Santee 
Cornelius  Sweet 
George  A.  Place 
A.  W.  Cooper 
C.  H.  Jewell 
W.  R.  Netherton 
E.  C.  Herdman 
T.  F.  Hall 
James  Ryder 
Abel  Wrigley 
M.  E.  Bramhall 


1879 

G.  W.  Leach  (readmitted) 
O.  L.  Severson 

E.  N.  Sabin 
P.  Houck 

H.  G.  Blair 
J.  F.  Jones 

O.  H.  McAnulty 
Simon  Stevens 
Cyrus  C.  Lovejoy 

1880 

C.  W.  Todd  (readmitted) 
C.  H.  Hayes 

E.  R.  D.  Briggs 

F.  H.  Parsons 
W.  Treible 

A.  C  Olver 
W.  Edgar 

1881 

J.  B.  Sweet 
L.  P.  Howard 

C.  M.  Surdam 

D.  G.  Stevens 
F.  P.  Doty 
A.  Loomis 
Levi  Jennison 


1882 

G.  A.  Cure 
E.  A.  Baldwin 


L  B.  Wilson 
D.  A.  Sanford 
L.  B.  Weeks 


1883 

J.  D.  Belknap 
J.  A.  Transue 
W.  C.  Norris 
H.  H.  Wilbur 
C.  A.  Benjamin 

1884 

W.  R.  Turner 
J.  C.  Johnson 
G.  C.  Lewis 
C  H.  Sackett 
C.  H.  Marsh 
N.  B.  Ripley 
A.  F.  Chaffee 


1885 

J.  A.  Faulkner 

G.  H.  Prentice 
I.  N,  Shipman 

H.  B.  Johnson 
W.  W.  Smith 
E.  B.  Olmstead 
G.  C.  Jacobs 
T.  M.  Furey 

1886 

W.  H.  Stang 

E.  Kilpatrick 

F.  A.  Chapman 
C.  B.  Personeus 


1887 

C.  W.  Babcock 
W.  Frisby 

S.  D.  Galpin 
M.  R.  Kerr 

D.  D.  King 
J.  H.  Littell 
R.  M.  Pascoe 
T.  R.  Warnock 


1888 

G.  F.  Ace 
W.  H.  Bailey 

H.  B.  Benedict 
A.  G.  Bloomfield 
J.  E.  Bone 

J.  B.  Cook 


128 


Wyoming  Conference 


A.  D.  Decker 
W.  H.  Hiller 
J.  L.  Thomas 

1889 

J.  C.  Hogan 

A.  S.  Holland 
W.  M.  Shaw 

E.  H.  Truesdell 

H.  Williston 

1890 

B.  N.  Butts 
Fred  J.  Jones 

L.  W.  Karschner 
J.  W.  Nicholson 
A.  Osborn 
S.  C.  Simpkins 
G.  B.  Stone 

C.  C.  Vrooman 

1891 

I.  C.  Estes 
A.  Schofield 

G.  E.  Van  Woert 

H.  A.  Williams 
Li  Shao-wen 
Thomas  Eva 
George  Jeffreys 
Charles  Smith 

1892 

W.  H.  Alger 
W.  T.  Blair 
E.  H.  Depuy 
M.  S.  Godshall 
H.  A.  Greene 
L.  C.  Murdock 
C.  H.  Newing 

1893 

G.  B.  Wilder 
J.  S.  Crompton 
J.  W.  Price 

1894 

E.  L.  Jeffrey 
C.  H.  Reynolds 
J.  Benninger 

H.  L.  Elsworth 

F.  D.  Hartsock 
E.  E.  Pearce 

L.  E.  Van  Hoesen 


1895 
C.  Callendar 
A.  D.  David 
C.  E.  Sweet 

G.  N.  Underwood 

H.  E.  Wheeler 
R.  W.  Lowry 
F.  N.  Smith 

S.  G.  Snowden 

S.  A.  Terry 

L.  T.  Van  Campen 

J.  H.  Worley 

L.  A.  Wild  (readmitted) 

1896 

J.  Brundle 

F.  D.  Cornell 
C.  M.  Olmstead 
L.  D.  Palmer 

A.  C.  Brackenbury 
S.  H.  Flory 
A.  W.  Noble 

G.  H.  Northrup 
L.  E.  Sanford 
W.  S.  Wilcox 

1897 
S.  E.  Hunt 

C.  P.  Tiffany 
A.  O.  Williams 
M.  L.  Andariese 
E.  D.  Cavanaugh 
J.  S.  Custard 

D.  Evans 

C.  B.  Henry 

D.  L.  McDonald 

E.  A.  Quimby 
W.  A.  Wagner 

1898 

George  M.  Bell 
Albert  Clarke 
G.  D.  Fisher 
J.  Humphries 
D.  S.  McKellar 
D.  L.  Meeker 
T.  J.  Vaughn 

F.  W.  Young 
J.  H.  Worley 

1899 

G.  H.  H.  Davis 
C.  Councilman 
T.  B.  Miller 
A.  J.  Neff 


Transfers 


129 


J.  N.  Bailey 
R.  L.  Clark 
J.  W.  Johnson 
G.  G.  McChesney 
P.  F.  Mead 
E.  B.  Singer 
M.  V.  Williams 


1900 

Ira  L.  Bronson 
Harry  Kelley 
W.  S.  Adams 
E.  Colwell 
Frank  James 
W.  W.  Watrous 
A.  O.  Austin 
G.  Gorisse 

D.  H.  Gridley 

1901 

E.  E.  Barker 
E.  A.  Martin 
J.  N.  Meaker 

G.  A.  Warburton 


1902 

A.  R.  Burke 
G.  S.  Connell 
E.  N.  Kline 
C.  L.  Lewis 
W.  H.  Crawford 
A.  H.  Whitaker 
W.  Crosby 
D.  Finch 
McMillcn 
R,  Hanton 


G 
A 
E 
B 

N.  A.  Darling 


1903 

J.  R.  Austin 
W.  M.  .Bouton 
C.  H.  Seward 
A.  E.  Potter 
W.  D.  Lathrop 
William  McAlpine 
J.  N.  Goodrich  (from  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church) 


In  Studies  of  Second  Year — Admitted  on  Trial  in  1902 

W.  R.  McDermott  T.  Livingstone 

J.  M.  Coleman  G.  L.  Granger 

A.  A.  Callendar  C.  E.  Waldron 


Admitted  on  Trial  in  1903 


S.  L.  Whiteman 
F.  Lesh 
C.  A.  Frear 
F.  F.  Gibbs 


A.  J.  Chapman 
C.  R.  Vickery 
J.  L.  Serviss 


Transfers 


Year.    From  What  Conference. 


1852 
1853 
1853 
1857 
1864 
1865 
1865 
1865 


1869 
1869 
1869 


Oneida  

Vermont  

Baltimore  

Baltimore  

Oneida  

New  York  

New  York  

Illinois  

Central  New  York, 
Cent.  Pennsylvania 


Name. 


Fitch  Reed  

L.  D.  Tryon  

John  A.  Wood  

Washington  W.  Welsh. , 

John  J.  Pearce  , 

E.  R.  Keys  

D.  W.  Bristol  

Luther  W.  Peck  , 

D.  D.  Lindsley  , 

W.  H.  Pearne  

W.  P.  Abbott  

G.  P.  Porter  

H.  G.  Harned  (on  trial) 

W.  H.  Olin  

Thomas  M.  Reese  , 


Year, 


1852 
1874 


1865 
1872 


1867 
1865 
1868 


To  What  Conference. 


Oneida. 

Northern  New  York. 


New  York. 
Central  New  York. 


Tennessee. 

Troy. 

Genesee. 


872    Cent.  Pennsylvania. 


130 


Wyomixg  Conference 
Transfers — Continued 


From  What  Conference. 


Rock  River. 


East  Maine  

Upper  Iowa  

Cincinnati  

Cent.  Pennsylvania, 


Central  New  York. 
West  Wisconsin, . 

Baltimore  , 

Wilmington  

Troy  

Oneida  

New  Hampshire... 


Northern  N.  Y. . . 

Northern  N.  Y.  . . 
Wilmington  


Name. 


Liberia  

Illinois  

West  Virginia  

Baltimore  

Detroit  

Virginia  

Colorado  

New  Hampshire. . . 

Central  New  York. 

Philadelphia  

Newark  

Newark  

New  Eng.  Southern 

New  Hampshire... 

North  Indiana. . . . 


William  N.  Cooley.. . . 

W.  S.  Smyth  

L.  V.  Ismond  

G.  M.  Mead  

Philip  Krohn  

George  Forsyth  

W.  L.  Thorpe  

D.  Copeland  

John  Pilkington  

Philip  Krohn  

A.  H.  Wyatt  

A.  C.  Bowdish  

McKendree  Shaw  

Thomas  S.  Abrahams. 

W.  S.  Wentz  

J.  C.  Brainerd  

I.  B.  Hyde  

H.  A.  Cleveland  

I.  N.  Pardee  

Joseph  E.  Smith  

W.  H.  H.  Smith  

C.  G.  Wood  

O.  W.  Scott  

H.  Wheeler  

A.  S.  Clark  

D.  Williams  

A.  C.  Bartholomew  

A.  L.  Smalley  

T.  B.  Killiam  

D.  F..  Waddell  

George  R.  Hair  

George  Comfort  

R.  J.  Kellogg  

C.  C.  Lovejoy  

G.  W.  Miller  

O.  M.  Martin  

C.  P.  Masden  

L.  C.  Muller  

D.  S.  Spencer  (on  trial) 
T.  M.  Furey  (on  trial) 
J.  O.  Spencer  (on  trial) 
N.  M.  Bailey  

E.  W.  Caswell  

M.  S.  Hard  

M.  A.  Richards  

A.  n.  Tuttle  

J.  E.  Price.   

W.  H.  Turkington. , .  . 

I.  T.  Walker  

0.  P.  Wright  

M.  E.  Bramhall  

1.  J.  Smith  

J.  B.  Chynoweth  

C.  H.  Marsh  

Simon  Stephens  


Year. 


1870 
1870 
I87I 
1872 
1872 


1873 

1876 
1874 
1874 

IS74 
1874 

1882 

1875 
1876 
1876 
1883 

1883 
1886 
1879 
1879 
1879 
1879 


1880 
1880 
1880 
1886 
I88I 
1889 
1882 
1883 
1886 
1885 

1885 
1886 
1885 


1889 
1890 
1888 
1886 
1892 
1886 

1887 
1887 
1887 


To  What  Conference. 


Central  New  York. 
Missouri. 

Central  New  York. 
Cent.  Pennsylvaniz 
East  Maine. 


New  York  East. 

Troy. 

Erie. 

New  York  East. 
Central  New  York. 
North  Carolina. 

Illinois. 

Central  New  York. 
New  England. 
Nebraska. 
W^est  Virginia. 

Illinois. 

New  Eng.  Southern. 

Philadelphia. 

Troy. 

Northern  New  York. 
Nebraska. 


Wilmington. 

Minnesota. 

Montana. 

New  Eng.  Southern. 

Rock  River. 

Minnesota. 

St.  Louis. 

St.  Louis. 

Newark. 

Japan. 

Japan. 

New  Hampshire. 
Oregon. 


Baltimore. 
New  York. 
New  Hampshire. 
Lexington. 
St.  Louis. 
South  Kansas. 

California. 
Iowa. 

New  York. 


Transfers 
Transfers — Continued 


From  What  Conference. 


New  York  East 
New  York  .... 
Genesee  


St.  John's  River. 

St.  John's  River. 

New  York  

Pittsburg  

Paget  Sound. .  . 


Columbia  River . 

St.  Louis  

Detroit  

Nebraska  

Newark  

Genesee  

Colorado-.  , 

N.  Eng.  Southern 


Michigan  

New  Jersey  

New  York  East. . 
Central  New  York 

Michigan  

St.  John's  River  . . 

New  England  

Genesee  

West  Wisconsin. . 


Pittsburg  

New  York  East. 


Holston  . 
Colorado 
Colorado 
Dakota., 


Name. 


George  Comfort  

H.  H.  Dresser  

H.  B.  Johnson  

W.  L.  Phillips  

P.  R.  riawxhurst  

A.  H.  Maryott  

A.  B.  Richardson  

N.  J.  Hawley  

E.  A.  Baldwin  

C.  C.  McLean  

J.  R.  Boyle  

W.  H.  Pearce  

S.  Moore  

H.  Williston  

H.  B.  Cook  

R.  W.  Van  Schoick. . . . 

W.  G.  Simpson  

W.  H.  Reese.......... 

G.  B.  Benedict  

John  M.  Correll.  

P.  G.  Ruckmian ....... 

F.  A.  Chapman  

W.  L.  Linnaberry  

A.  W.  Noble  (oh  trial). 
J.  W.  Webb.  

E.  H.  Depuy  

D.  D.  King  

A.  Osborn  ,  

F.  A.  Chapman  

John  H.  Race  

Li  Shao-wen  

C.  M.  Giffin  

C.  E.  Mogg  

E.  V.  Armstrong  

James  Schofield  

G.  H.  Northrup  

Henry  Tuckley  

A.  W.  Hayes  

H.  D.  Smith   

E.  B.  Olmstead..... .. 

H.  P.  Morgan  (on  trial) 
A.  C.  Brackenbury. . . . 

J.  H.  Bickford  

M.  L.  Andariese  

Joseph  Baird  

T.  B.  Miller  

R.  L.  Reidy  (on  trial). . 

N.  A.  Darling  

J.  M.  Taber  

J.  N.  Bailey  

"W.  A.  Edwards  

G.  L.  Granger  (on  trial) 

H.  B.  Burns  

Delos  H.  Gridley  

J.  Humphrey  


Year. 


1888 
1888 
1888 


1893 
l88q 


1891 
1896 
igo2 
1891 
1891 
1891 
1891 

1894 
1895 


1893 


1896 
1894 
1894 
1894 
1897 

1895 


[897 


1899 
1900 
1900 

1901 

1902 
1902 


1902 


1903 
1903 
1903 


To  What  Conference. 


Montana. 

Dakota. 

Japan. 


Newark. 

New  Jersey. 

St.  John's  River. 

Central  New  York. 

Austin. 

New  Jersey. 

Philadelphia. 

Puget  Sound. 

Puget  Sound. 

Colorado. 

Michigan. 

Genesee. 
South  America. 


Michigan. 


Central  New  York. 
New  Eng.  Southern. 
Michigan. 
Genesee. 
Michigan. 

North  China. 


St.  John's  River. 


Genesee. 
Philadelphia. 
Columbia  River. 

Newark. 

New  York  East. 
Northwest  Iowa. 


Colorado. 


Northwest  Iowa. 

Newark. 

Genesee. 


132 


Wyoming  Conference 


Located 

[852.  J.  M.  Snyder,  Joseph  Whitham. 
[854.  King  Elwell,  John  Mulkey. 
[855.  Joseph  S.  David,  G.  W.  Leach. 

856.  Marcus  Carrier,  E.  F.  Roberts,  C.  W.  Harris,  Ahira  Johnson,  J.  W. 
Davison. 

[858.  J.  W.  Hewitt,  E.  B.  Tenny,  E.  Owen,  C.  V.  Arnold,  Julius  A. 
Baldwin. 

[859.  G.  L.  Griffin,  A.  P.  Aiken,  T.  J.  W.  Sullivan. 
[860.  T.  D.  Walker. 

[861.  George  Landon,  A.  P.  Aiken,  B.  W.  Gorham. 

[862.  J.  M.  Snyder,  A.  P.  Mead,  N.  W.  Everett,  H.  Stanley. 

[863.  B.  B.  Emory,  George  A.  Severson. 

:864.  George  C.  Bancroft,  John  W.  Munger,  William  Shelp,  C.  Perkins. 
[865.  C.  W.  Giddings,  O.  M.  McDowall,  J.  J.  Pearce,  A.  H.  Schoonmaker, 

F.  1 11  man. 
[867.  J.  A.  Wood. 
[868.  W.  W.  Welsh. 

[869.  B.  D.  Sturdevant,  N.  W.  Everett,  J.  N.  Piatt,  Philip  Krohn, 

McKendree  Shaw. 
[871.  W.  L.  Thorpe,  R.  W.  Peebles. 
[873.  James  Mullen. 
[874.  M.  D.  Matoon. 
[875.  A.  J.  Arnold,  C.  O.  Hanmer. 
1876.  C.  A.  Ward,  C.  Fay  Olmstead. 

1878.  A.  Brigham,  S.  W.  Weiss,  G.  E.  Hathaway,  G.  W.  Leach. 

1879.  C.  White,  George  Pritchett. 

1880.  T.  B.  Killiam. 

1881.  D.  Larish. 

1882.  Gabriel  Westfall,  W.  H.  H.  Williams  (by  the  Conference). 

1886.  A.  L.  Smalley,  F.  L.  Hiller. 

1887.  A.  E.  Loomis,  W.  C.  Norris,  L.  A.  Wild. 

1888.  T.  C.  Roskelly. 

1891.  G.  T.  Price. 

1892.  Arthur  S.  Holland. 

[895.  P.  R.  Hawxhurst,  O.  H.  McAnulty. 
1901.  C.  W.  Babcock. 

Withdrawn 

1854.  William  Roberts. 
1856.  G.  P.  Porter. 
1865.  Jacob  Miller. 

1874.  J.  A.  Wood,  2d,  under  charges. 

1876.  J.  F.  Wilbur,  under  charges. 

1877.  D.  D.  Lindsley,  under  charges. 

1878.  S.  W.  Lindsley. 
1881.  A.  W.  Barrows. 

1890.  W.  L.  Phillips,  to  join  Congregationalists. 

1892.  George  J.  Jeffreys,  to  join  Primitive  Methodists. 

1893.  M.  R.  Kerr,  to  join  Congregationalists. 

1894.  G.  B.  Wilder,  W.  W.  Smith,  to  join  Congregationalists. 


Evolution  of  the  Minutes 


133 


1895.  G.  M.  Colville,  to  join  Presbyterians. 

1896.  S.  C.  Fulton,  J.  H.  Worley. 

1897.  J.  C.  Hogan,  W.  R.  Turner. 

1898.  Fred  J.  Jones. 

1900.  J.  F.  Jones,  J.  H.  Worley. 

1901.  F.  N.  Smith,  to  join  Congregationalists. 
1901.  G.  F.  Ace,  under  charges^ 

1903.  W.  A.  Wagner,  S.  Guy  Snowden,  C.  B.  Personeus,  to  join  other 
Churches. 

Expelled 

1852.  C.  H.  Harvey,  suspended,  afterward  expelled.  Spiritualism. 
1855.  O.  F.  Morse,  suspended,  after  several  trials;  expelled  1861. 

1863.  Welcome  Smith, 

1864.  William  Silsbee. 

1865.  R.  Van  Valkenburg. 
1872.  I.  S.  Thompson.  Heresy. 
1893.  D-  A.  Sandford. 

1899.  G.  T.  Price. 

Evolution  of  the  Minutes 

The  Minutes  of  the  first  session  of  the  Conference,  held  in 
Carbondale,  July,  1852,  are  put  into  a  small  pamphlet  of  thirty 
pages,  printed  at  the  Democrat  office  in  Binghamton.  It  con- 
tains the  Disciplinary  questions,  statistical  tables  of  membership, 
account  of  moneys  raised  and  expended  for  Conference  claimants, 
tables  of  preachers'  and  presiding  elders'  claims,  statement  of 
funds  raised  for  tracts  and  number  of  pages  distributed,  the  ap- 
pointments, report  on  parsonages,  resolution  concerning  "Spirit- 
ual Manifestations,"  an  advertisement  for  Wyoming  Seminary — 
giving  the  faculty.  Conference  visitors,  calendar  of  the  school 
year,  rates  of  tuition,  and  some  other  directions  usually  con- 
tained in  a  school  catalogue — and  the  detailed  missionary  report. 
This  report  has  been  continued  until  now,  not  without  opposition, 
however,  as  motions  have  been  introduced  several  times  looking 
toward  discontinuance.  In  this  report  you  will  find  reminders  of 
old  times,  the  gifts  of  sixpences  and  shillings.  The  matter  con- 
cerning the  seminary  notes  a  charge  of  $2.21  for  instruction  in 
embroidery  for  a  term  of  twelve  weeks.  Statistics  of  money 
raised  for  Bible  cause  are  here.  Treasurer's  report,  memoir  of 
M.  Ruger,  pastoral  address  by  George  Peck  and  R.  Nelson,  com- 
mittees of  examination  and  special  appointments  conclude  the 
make-up  of  this  first  volume  of  Minutes. 

The  Minutes  of  1853  introduce  a  report  from  the  committee  on 
education,  and  give  statistics  of  educational  collection  taken  dur- 
ing the  year,  amounting  to  $38.78.    Statistics  of  Sunday  schools 


134 


Wyoming  Conference 


are  given.  Committee  of  finance  make  a  report.  Trustees  for 
Susquehanna  Seminary  are  named.  An  index  is  introduced  at 
the  end,  which  does  not  appear  again  until  1868. 

The  Minutes  of  1854  introduce  a  report  on  temperance.  The 
laymen  on  the  board  of  stewards  submit  a  paper  urging  larger 
provision  for  the  support  of  the  ministry. 

In  1855  ^he  post  offices  of  the  members  of  the  Conference  are 
given,  which  does  not  occur  again  until  1858. 

In  1856  Susquehanna  Seminary  is  given  a  page. 

In  1857  the  secretary  begins  to  enlarge  the  report  of  daily 
proceedings.  Until  this  time  no  detailed  report  of  each  day's 
work  has  been  attempted.  A  very  able  report  on  slavery  appears, 
written  by  H.  R.  Clarke  and  B.  W.  Gorham. 

In  1858  the  chronological  list  of  the  Conference  appears. 
Larger  type  is  used,  which  improves  the  pages  much. 

In  1862  report  on  State  of  the  Country  makes  its  debut. 

In  1864  the  times  and  places  of  our  Conference  sessions  greet 
us,  with  a  list  of  delegates  to  the  General  Conference  in  that  and 
previous  years.  The  "In  Memoriam"  also  begins  with  this 
number. 

In  1865  the  directory  of  local  preachers  is  first  seen. 

In  1866  the  Rules  of  Order  greet  us,  the  work  of  R.  Nelson, 
George  Peck,  and  Y.  C.  Smith. 

In  1867  business  enterprise  manifests  itself  in  the  introduction 
of  advertising. 

In  1868  the  table  of  contents  is  introduced. 

In  1876  the  proceedings  of  the  Lay  Electoral  Conference  are 
inserted  in  the  Minutes. 

In  1876  G.  R.  Hair  made  a  pastoral  record  which  the  Confer- 
ence of  1877  commended  and  urged  to  be  largely  bought.  In 
1882  the  secretary  used  this  as  the  basis  of  the  pastoral  record 
which  that  year  appeared  in  the  Minutes.  But  few  Conferences 
publish  this  annually  as  do  we. 

In  1877  the  memoir  of  Mrs.  George  Parsons  is  published.  This 
is  the  first  memoir  of  a  preacher's  wife  published  in  the  Minutes. 

In  1878  the  so-called  ''smelling  committee"  is  first  created  in 
this  Conference.  It  was  the  creation  of  Y.  C.  Smith  and  H. 
Brownscombe,  and  known  as  committee  on  ''Reception  of 
Members." 

In  1879  by  resolution  of  the  Conference  the  presiding  elders 
were  asked  to  make  their  reports  in  writing  the  following  year. 
This  was  done,  and  in  1880  these  valuable  historical  documents 
became  a  part  of  our  annual  Minutes. 


Singing  Bands 


135 


In  1878  the  appointments  are  for  the  first  time  arranged 
alphabetically. 

In  1882  special  statistical  tables  are  introduced  showing 
preachers'  claims  and  receipts.  Continued  until  1893,  when  the 
larger  statistical  tables  absorb  them. 

In  1883  Bishops'  certificates  of  ordinations  begin  to  be 
published. 

In  1887  italicized  captions  to  each  paragraph  appear.  In  1888 
they  are  put  in  heavy-faced  type,  and  in  1897  become  shoulder 
notes. 

In  1893  a  map  of  the  Conference  was  published,  and  half-tone 
cuts  inserted  with  the  memoirs.   These  continue. 

The  Minutes  have  been  printed  as  follows:  1852-53,  at  the 
Democrat  office,  Binghamton;  1854,  Gazette  office,  Owego;  1855, 
Record  of  the  Times,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1856,  J.  D.  Bedford,  New 
York;  1857,  Gazette  office,  Owego;  1858-63,  Book  Concern; 
1864,  Westcott  &  Co.,  New  York;  1865,  Sherman  &  Co.,  Phila- 
delphia; 1866,  Book  Concern;  1867,  Republican,  Scranton;  1868, 
Philadelphia  Book  Room;  1869,  Republican,  Scranton;  1870, 
Philadelphia  Book  Room;  1871,  Republican,  Scranton;  1872, 
Philadelphia  Book  Room;  1873-74,  T.  W.  Durston;  Syracuse; 
1875-76,  Leader  Association,  Elmira;  1877,  Binghamton  Repub- 
lican; 1878,  E.  B.  Yordy,  Wilkes-Barre;  1879-80,  J.  S.  Thurston, 
Binghamton;  1881-82,  Elmira  Advertiser;  1883,  Morning  News, 
Binghamton;  1884-85,  Elmira  Advertiser;  1886-95,  E.  B.  Yordy, 
Wilkes-Barre;  1896-97,  Binghamton  RepubHcan;  1898,  Cosper 
Printing  House,  Pittston;  1899-1903,  Binghamton  Republican. 

Singing  Bands 
Wyoming  Conference  Trio 
This  trio  was  composed  of  Rev.  W.  B.  Westlake,  who  sang 
first  tenor,  Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner,  who  sang  second  tenor,  and  Rev. 
J.  C.  Leacock,  who  sang  bass.  Each  of  these  brethren  had  taught 
singing  school  and  was  an  independent  singer.  Their  voices  were 
well  adapted  to  each  other,  and  blended  with  excellent  effect. 
They  sang  together  twenty-five  years,  during  which  time  they 
were  in  demand  for  concerts  and  camp  meeting  work.  At  our 
Annual  Conferences  they  were  an  important  factor,  singing  at 
Conference  anniversaries  and  memorial  services,  frequently  mov- 
ing their  hearers  profoundly.  By  invitation  of  Dr.  Vincent  they 
sang  two  seasons  at  Chautauqua,  1874  and  1876.  The  death  of 
Rev.  W.  B.  Westlake  made  a  sad  break  in  a  trio  whose  record 
can  rarely  be  equaled. 


136 


Wyoming  Conference 


Stephen  Jay,  M.A.      J.  L.  Thomas  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.         J.  H.  Race,  D.D. 

WYOMING  CONFERENCE  QUARTET 


Examinations 


137 


Wyoming  Conference  Quartet 

The  brethren  who  compose  this  organization  are  all  members 
of  the  Wyoming  Conference.  Rev.  Stephen  Jay,  M.A.,  of  Dor- 
ranceton,  Pa.,  and  Rev.  John  L.  Thomas,  of  Parsons,  Pa.,  are  the 
first  and  second  tenors.  Rev.  Manley  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  first  assistant 
secretary  of  the  Board  of  Church  Extension,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
takes  the  first  bass,  and  Rev.  John  H.  Race,  D.D.,  president  of 
Grant  University,  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  sings  the  second  bass. 
(Dr.  Hard  has  died  since  this  was  written.) 

Brothers  Jay,  Thomas,  and  Race  began  singing  together  as  a 
trio  under  the  name  of  the  "Carmel  Grove  Trio."  In  this  man- 
ner they  jointly  aided  each  other  and  neighboring  pastors  in 
revival  work,  in  which  they  were  very  useful  and  deservedly 
popular. 

Wishing  to  balance  the  parts  of  the  music  and  have  a  quartet 
for  the  Conference,  Dr.  Hard  joined  them.  In  consequence  of 
their  wide  separation  little  opportunity  has  been  given  them  to 
drill  for  close  and  technical  singing. 

They  have  sung  in  many  churches,  at  district  gatherings,  sum- 
mer resorts,  and  the  like.  Dr.  Hard's  death  made  a  sad  vacancy 
in  this  band. 

Et  Cetera 

A  Local  Preachers'  Association  was  organized  within  the 
bounds  of  this  Conference  about  1871,  auxiliary  to  the  National 
Local  Preachers'  Association,  and  continued  a  number  of  years. 
We  have  endeavored  to  get  definite  information  concerning  it, 
but  have  failed. 

In  1872  Dr.  George  Peck  presided  over  the  Conference,  Bishop 
Scott,  who  was  to  have  presided,  being  too  ill  to  be  present. 

The  following  members  of  the  Conference  completed  fifty  years 
in  the  ministry,  and  the  fact  was  noted  by  the  Conference :  George 
Peck,  Z.  Paddock,  D.  A.  Shepard,  W.  Rounds,  V.  M.  Coryell, 
Lyman  Sperry,  A.  E.  Daniels,  E.  Dennison,  W.  Bixby,  Luther  W. 
Peck,  Thomas  Harroun. 

The  action  of  the  Conference  was  against  lay  representation. 
However,  a  study  of  the  Minutes  reveals  the  fact  that  when  it 
was  accompHshed  this  Conference  was  in  hearty  accord,  a  change 
of  sentiment  having  gradually  taken  place. 

Our  system  of  Conference  examinations  is  the  result  of  expe- 
rience. In  1857  quarterly  examinations  were  instituted  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  more,  and  better,  work  from  the  men  in 
their  studies.  In  1858  this  system  was  changed  to  three  examina- 


138 


Wyoming  Conference 


tions  per  year.  Apparently  this  was  unsatisfactory,  for  in  1859 
the  method  was  changed  so  that  the  examinations  were  held 
during  the  two  days  preceding  Conference.  This  system  con- 
tinued until  1862,  when  the  system  was  changed  so  that  the  ex- 
aminations were  held  on  the  day  preceding  Conference.  Prior  to 
1879  the  method  of  marking  was:  Very  good,  good,  tolerable, 
deficient.  In  1879  a  scale  of  ten  was  introduced,  sixty  per  cent 
of  questions  to  be  properly  answered  in  order  to  pass.  Oral 
examinations  had  been  the  custom  from  the  beginning.  A  desire 
for  greater  precision  in  answers,  and  uniformity  of  questions, 
prompted  L.  C.  Floyd,  W.  H.  Olin,  and  H.  Brownscombe  to  pre- 
sent a  resolution  in  1884  recommending  written  examinations, 
and  the  resolution  was  adopted.  Immediate  fruitage  did  not 
appear.  In  1890  A.  F.  Chafifee  presented  the  following  resolu- 
tion, signed  by  W.  W.  Smith,  O.  L.  Severson,  and  T.  F.  Hall : 

"Whereas,  The  Conference  examinations  as  at  present  con- 
ducted are  not  satisfactory,  and  the  need  exists  of  a  different 
method ;  and  it  is  desirable  that  the  work  of  study  and  examina- 
tion be  evenly  distributed  through  the  Conference  year,  to  be  dis- 
posed of  at  the  district  meetings,  or  on  the  plan  of  Bishop  Vin- 
cent's Itinerants'  Club ; 

"Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  Conference  the  appoint- 
ment of  Drs.  Hard,  Sprague,  and  Floyd  as  a  committee  to  devise 
a  plan  to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  case  and  report  at  the  next 
annual  session  of  the  Conference." 

This  committee  reported  to  the  Conference  of  1891,  and  the 
adopted  report  was  as  follows : 

"ist.  That  great  care  be  used  in  appointing  examining  com- 
mittees. 

"2d.  That  the  particular  work  to  be  done  by  each  committee- 
man be  assigned  early  in  the  year. 

"3d.  That  all  examinations  be  conducted  in  writing. 

"4th.  That  in  lieu  of  the  one-day  examinations  as  now  con- 
ducted at  Conference  a  session  of  two  or  three  days  be  held  dur- 
ing the  autumn,  at  some  central  place  in  the  Conference,  where 
all  the  classes,  and  local  preachers  studying  for  orders,  etc.,  shall 
assemble  with  the  committees,  where  they  shall  conduct  the  ex- 
aminations for  half  the  studies  of  the  year.  There  shall  be 
associated  with  the  gathering  sermons  from  able  and  prominent 
men ;  lectures ;  drill  in  pastoral  methods ;  question  hours  as  to 
habits,  modes  of  study,  financial  methods,  manner  of  presenting 
the  benevolences,  etc.,  etc. 

"Thus  half  the  work  of  the  year  will  be  passed  upon  before 


Delegates  to  General  Conference  139 


the  special  work  of  the  winter  is  begun.  This  can  all  be  secured 
with  slight  expense  if  the  gathering  shall  be  entertained  by  some 
church  and  pastor.  The  remainder  of  the  course  can  be  con- 
ducted at  Conference  as  at  present. 

"5th.  That  should  this  manner  of  conducting  examinations  be 
adopted  the  whole  matter  of  time  and  place,  details  of  the  gather- 
ing and  examinations,  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  committee  of 
examination,  the  bishop  being  requested  to  name  a  chairman  for 
the  whole." 

This  plan  was  used  several  years,  and  some  very  profitable 
midyear  conventions  were  held.  It  became  difficult,  however,  to 
find  centrally  located  places  in  which  to  meet,  and  the  question 
of  expense  to  the  young  men  arising  had  its  influence.  Many 
preferred  to  distribute  the  midyear  examinations,  giving  to 
each  district  a  place  where  examinations  might  be  held.  The 
present  plan  was,  accordingly,  adopted. 

The  present  method  of  marking  was  adopted  in  1893. 

In  the  earlier  years  of  our  history  superannuation,  location,  and 
transfer  were  accompanied  by  resolutions  of  good  will. 

The  Conference  Temperance  Society  was  organized  in  1872, 
and  its  constitution  published  in  the  Minutes  of  1873. 

A  Ladies  and  Pastors'  Christian  Union  was  organized  in  1873. 

In  1875  our  Conference  Educational  Society  sprang  into 
existence. 

The  Conference  safe  is  at  the  seminary  in  Kingston,  and  was 
the  gift  of  some  laymen  in  1880. 

The  canvass  of  the  Conference  in  1886  for  the  Centennial 
Fund,  by  Rev.  S.  C.  Fulton,  resulted  in  a  fund  of  $48,973.21. 

Delegates  to  General  Conference 

1856 — Indianapolis 

George  Peck,  Horatio  R.  Clarke,  George  P.  Porter,  William  H.  Pearne. 
Reserve-^D3ivid  A.  Shepard. 

i860 — Buffalo 

George  Peck,  Reuben  Nelson,  John  J.  Pierce,  William  H.  Pearne. 
Reserves — Horatio  R.  Clarke,  B.  W.  Gorham. 

1864 — Philadelphia 

George  Peck,  Reuben  Nelson,  Horatio  R.  Clarke,  Henry  Brownscombe. 
Reserves — King  Elwell,  Zachariah  Paddock. 

1868 — Chicago 

Reuben  Nelson,  George  Peck,  Zachariah  Paddock,  Horatio  R.  Clarke. 
Reserves— J omthan  K.  Peck,  Young  C.  Smith. 


Wyoming  Conference 


1872— Brooklyn 

Clerical — Reuben  Nelson,  Thomas  Harroun,  William  H.  Olin,  William  G. 

Queal,  George  Peck,  DeWitt  C.  Olmstead. 
Clerical  Reserves — William  Bixby,  Henry  Wheeler,  Luther  Peck. 
Lay — Ziba  Bennett,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. ;  F.  T.  Childs,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

1876 — Baltimore 

Clerical — Reuben  Nelson,  John  G.  Eckman,  William  H.  Olin,  Henry 
Wheeler. 

Clerical  Reserves — William  G.  Queal,  George  R.  Hair. 

Lay — Payne  Pettebone,  Wyoming,  Pa. ;  Horace  G.  Prindle,  Norwich.  N.  Y. 

1880 — Cincinnati 

Clerical — William  H.  Olin,  David  Copeland,  Young  C.  Smith,  William 

Bixby,  John  G.  Eckman. 
Lay — W.  F.  Clements,  Moscow,  Pa.;  M.  T.  Winton,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

1884 — Philadelphia 

Clerical — William  H.  Olin,  Austin  Griffin,  Asa  J.  Van  Cleft,  John  G. 

Eckman,  Fred  L.  Hiller. 
Clerical  Reserves — Henry  M.  Crydenwise,  Willis  L.  Thorpe. 
Lay — William  Connell,  Scranton,  Pa. ;  Royal  W.  Clinton,  Newark  Valley, 

N.  Y. 

1888— New  York 

Clerical — William  H.  Olin,  John  G.  Eckman,  Manley  S.  Hard,  John  C. 

Leacock,  DeWitt  C.  Olmstead. 
Clerical  Reserves — Robert  W.  Van  Schoick,  Samuel  Moore. 
Lay — George  Reynolds,  Oneonta,  N.  Y. ;  Elijah  C.  Wadhams,  Wilkes- 

Barre,  Pa. 

Lay  Reserves — Abram  I.  Decker,  Waverly,  N.  Y. ;  William  Connell, 
Scranton,  Pa. 

1892 — Omaha 

Clerical — Manley  S.  Hard,  Levi  L.  Sprague,  Thomas  Harroun,  Austin 

Griffin,  Asa  J.  Van  Cleft. 
Clerical  Reserves — George  M.  Colville,  Lyman  C.  Floyd. 
Lay — Marcus  W.  Scott,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. ;  Thomas  H.  Dale,  Scranton, 

Pa. 

Lay  Reserves — Jonathan  C.  Latimer,  Tioga  Center,  N.  Y. ;  William  Con- 
nell, Scranton,  Pa. 

1896 — Cleveland 

Clerical — John  G.  Eckman,  Manley  S.  Hard,  Austin  Griffin,  Levi  L. 

Sprague,  Asa  J.  Van  Cleft. 
Clerical  Reserves — Edwin  B.  Olmstead,  Henry  M.  Crydenwise. 
Lay — George  S.  Bennett,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. ;  Abram  L  Decker,  Waverly, 

N.  Y. 

Lay  Reserves — William  J.  Welsh,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. ;  William  Connell, 
Scranton,  Pa. 


Attempts  at  History 


141 


1900 — Chicago 

Clerical — Webster  H.  Pearce,  George  Forsyth,  Austin  Griffin,  Manley  S. 

Hard,  Hugh  C.  McDermott. 
Clerical  Reserves — ^J.  Alfred  Faulkner,  Truman  F.  Hall. 
Lay — William  J.  Welsh,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. ;  Pierce  Butler,  Carbondale, 

Pa. 

Reserves — Arthur  J.  Dibble,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. ;  John  W.  Thomas,  West 
Pittston,  Pa. 

Provisional — George  K.  Powell,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. ;  Abram  I.  Decker, 
Waverly,  N.  Y, ;  G.  Frank  Reynolds,  Scranton,  Pa. 

Reserves — George  L.  Peck,  Scranton,  Pa.;  Daniel  Powell,  Dunmore,  Pa.; 
Sylvanus  Moore,  Oxford,  N.  Y. 

Attempts  at  History 

In  1857  "B-  Gorham  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  tabular 
statement  exhibiting  the  principal  points  in  the  lives  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Conference,  and  take  the  necessary  steps  to  preserve 
a  permanent  record  of  them." 

Dr.  George  Peck  contemplated  publishing  a  Conference  me- 
morial. Whereupon  George  Landon  and  W.  H.  Pearne  pre- 
sented the  following  resolution  to  the  Conference  of  1858,  which 
was  adopted : 

''Resolved,  That  early  in  the  ensuing  Conference  year  we  will 
collect  on  our  respective  charges  all  such  facts  and  reminiscences 
as  are  intimately  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  have  an  intrinsic  and  historical  interest,  and  will  forward  the 
same  to  Dr.  Peck,  to  be  incorporated  in  his  memorial  of  Wyoming 
Conference." 

In  1867  the  Conference  elected  Dr.  Peck  Conference  historian, 
"to  write  the  history  of  the  Conference  from  its  organization  to 
the  time  of  our  next  annual  session."  The  following  year  he  was 
reappointed  Conference  historian,  and  R.  Nelson  presented  the 
following,  which  was  adopted: 

''Resolved,  That  Dr.  Peck  be  requested  to  report,  through  the 
Northern  Advocate,  those  charges  whose  history  he  has  not  yet 
received,  and  that  the  preachers  on  those  charges  be  requested  to 
furnish  the  histories  in  question  forthwith." 

In  1874  George  W.  Leach,  W.  H.  Olin,  and  W.  B.  Kinney 
presented  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions,  which  were 
unanimously  adopted: 

"Whereas,  At  the  previous  session  of  this  Conference,  resolu- 
tions were  adopted  requesting  all  of  its  members  to  furnish  brief 
autobiographical  sketches,  to  be  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the 
Conference;  and, 


142 


Wyoming  Conference 


"Whereas,  Said  resolutions  have  rarely  been  complied  with, 
and  their  existence  is  probably  unknown  to  many  of  the  younger 
members;  therefore, 

''Resolved,  i.  That  each  member  of  the  Conference  be  earnestly 
requested  to  prepare  such  a  sketch  during  the  ensuing  Conference 
year. 

''Resolved,  2.  That  in  future  the  examining  committee  of  the 
third  year  be  directed  to  inquire  of  the  respective  members  of  the 
class  whether  this  request  has  been  complied  with  and  embrace 
the  answers  in  their  report." 

It  is  evident  from  reading  the  above  that  historical  material 
was  not  easily  gathered.  No  such  material  is  found  among  the 
literary  remains  of  Dr.  Peck.  We  presume  the  failure  of  the 
members  to  respond  is  the  cause  of  Dr.  Peck's  failure  to  produce 
the  volume.  It  is  a  matter  of  profound  regret.  Facts  were 
ascertainable  then  which  are  now  lost  forever.  In  our  present 
search  for  material  we  have  again  and  again  been  told  that  "the 
only  person  who  knew  our  early  history  has  recently  passed 
away."  We  have  run  across  less  than  a  half  dozen  churches 
whose  history  was  written  at  that  time.  Had  the  material  been 
furnished,  Dr.  Peck's  historic  spirit,  scholarship,  and  taste  would 
have  greatly  enriched  the  history  of  Methodism. 

Redistricting 

In  1859  Honesdale  charge  petitioned  the  Conference  to  reduce 
the  number  of  districts  to  two.  The  petition  was  presented  on 
Friday  of  Conference.  The  following  Monday  the  question  was 
discussed.  ''After  a  full  and  free  interchange  of  views  on  the 
subject,  and  the  presenting  of  several  other  petitions  of  the  same 
import,  it  was,  by  a  very  large  majority, 

"Resolved,  That  as  a  Conference  we  are  adverse  to  the  prayer 
of  the  petitioners. 

"Resolved,  That  we  respectfully  request  the  bishop  and  pre- 
siding elders  so  to  divide  our  Conference  into  districts  as  to 
enable  the  presiding  elder  of  each  district  to  attend  in  person  the 
four  quarterly  meetings  of  each  charge.         D.  C.  Olmstead, 

A.  W.  Loom  IS, 
G.  R.  Hair.'^ 

In  1873  the  Conference  had  a  spirited  discussion  over  the 
question  of  reducing  the  number  of  districts. 

In  1886  a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  into  consideration 
the  redistricting  of  the  Conference.  The  Minutes  do  not  give 
the  names  of  the  committee.   However,  it  is  generally  understood 


ReDISTRICTING  THE  CONFERENCE  143 

that  the  committee  agreed  on  a  five-district  plan,  and  that  Dr. 
W.  H.  Olin,  who  was  on  the  committee,  was  enthusiastic  in 
support  of  the  plan.  The  report  of  the  committee  went  to  the 
cabinet  of  the  Conference  of  1887,  and  failed  of  being  put  into 
execution  because  of  the  protest  of  one  elder  whose  territory  was 
to  be  disturbed  more  than  he  desired.  As  the  years  passed  the 
conviction  grew  that  our  territory  ought  to  be  more  equally 
divided.  Accordingly,  in  1900  the  following  resolution  was 
presented  by  A.  F.  Chaffee,  and  on  motion  of  M.  S.  Hard  was 
adopted : 

"Whereas,  Many  have  long  deplored  the  disparity  between  the 
districts  of  our  Conference,  and  believing  it  highly  desirable  to 
secure  a  more  equable  division  of  the  territory ;  therefore, 

''Resolved,  That  a  commission  be  appointed  by  the  bishop, 
which  shall  report  a  plan  to  the  next  annual  session  of  our  Con- 
ference, for  a  more  equable  division  of  the  territory  of  our  Con- 
ference, and  we  suggest  that  a  plan  for  five  districts  may  be  the 
most  desirable  solution  of  the  problem. 

A.  F.  Chaffee, 
J.  A.  Faulkner, 
Manley  S.  Hard." 

The  bishop  appointed  the  following  commission : 

A.  F.  Chaffee,  chairman;  Binghamton  District,  H.  M.  Cryden- 
wise;  Chenango  District,  Thomas  Harroun;  Honesdale  District, 
G.  A.  Place;  Oneonta  District,  H.  C.  McDermott;  Owego  Dis- 
trict, S.  B.  Keeney;  Wyoming  District,  W.  H.  Pearce;  and  the 
presiding  elders. 

Prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  commission  A.  F.  Chaffee  made  a 
map  of  the  Conference,  dividing  the  territory  into  five  districts. 
This  he  did  upon  his  own  responsibility,  and  simply  to  demon- 
strate the  feasibility  of  such  a  plan.  When  the  commission  met 
in  Carbondale  it  was  divided,  a  majority  favoring  six  districts 
and  an  adjustment  of  the  territory  which  would  equalize  the  dis- 
tricts, while  a  minority  favored  five  districts.  It  was  agreed  to 
present  a  majority  and  a  minority  report.  Accordingly,  Rev.  J.  F. 
Warner,  as  secretary  of  the  commission,  secured  the  floor  during 
the  Conference  of  1901  and  began  his  report.  The  bishop  inter- 
rupted him,  commended  the  five-district  plan,  and  asked  the  Con- 
ference to  continue  the  commission  another  year,  with  the  request 
to  bring  in,  if  possible,  a  unanimous  report  at  the  next  Confer- 
ence.  The  Conference  so  ordered. 

The  commission  met  during  the  year  in  Binghamton,  and  Rev. 
G.  A.  Place  was  made  secretary.   The  commission  was  unable  to 


144 


Wyoming  Conference 


agree,  and  a  majority  and  a  minority  report  was  agreed  upon.  At 
the  Conference  of  1902  G.  A.  Place,  in  behalf  of  the  commission 
for  redistricting  the  Conference,  made  the  following  report : 

"The  commission  appointed  by  Bishop  Foss,  at  the  session  of 
the  Conference  at  Owego,  N.  Y.,  and  reappointed  by  Bishop 
Fowler  at  the  last  session  of  the  Conference,  met  in  the  Centenary 
Church,  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  March  24.  There  were  present  at 
the  meeting,  A.  F.  Chaffee,  H.  H.  Dresser,  J.  F.  Warner,  L.  C. 
Floyd,  H.  M.  Crydenwise,  T.  F.  Hall,  C.  H.  Hayes,  G.  A.  Place, 
and  S.  B.  Keeney.  G.  A.  Place  was  chosen  secretary  of  the 
meeting.  After  quite  a  lengthy  discussion  and  consideration  of 
plans  the  following  resolutions  were  passed : 

"ist.  That  the  commission,  by  motion  which  was  adopted, 
recommend  a  readjustment  of  the  district  boundaries  of  the  Con- 
ference. 

"2d.  Motion  was  made  and  adopted  that  two  reports,  first  a 
majority,  and  second  a  minority  report,  be  submitted  for  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Conference. 

"The  majority  report  recommends  that  a  readjustment  of  the 
district  boundaries  be  made  on  the  existing  plan  of  six  districts. 

"The  minority  report  recommends  that  a  readjustment  of  the 
district  boundaries  of  the  Conference  be  made  on  the  plan  of  five 
districts,  and  in  accordance  with  the  recommendations  a  detailed 
plan,  which  it  is  thought  will  be  found  entirely  feasible,  is  hereby 
submitted  in  blue  print.  (Signed) 

A.  F.  Chaffee,  Chairman. 
G.  A.  Place,  Secretary." 

A.  F.  Chaffee  moved  that  the  section  of  the  report  which  favors 
a  redistricting  of  the  Conference  and  the  minority  report  which 
favors  a  five-district  readjustment  of  the  Conference  be  adopted, 
and  supported  his  motion  by  giving  the  reasons  which  favor  such 
an  adjustment. 

After  considerable  discussion  the  making  and  withdrawing  of 
several  motions,  A.  F.  Chaffee's  motion  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of 
109  in  favor  and  34  against. 

Austin  Griffin  moved  that  a  commission  consisting  of  six  min- 
isters to  be  appointed  by  the  chair,  and  six  laymen,  to  be  elected 
by  the  various  district  stewards'  meetings,  be  appointed,  which 
shall  divide  our  territory  into  five  districts,  and  report  the  same 
to  the  ensuing  Annual  Conference,  to  become  operative  at  that 
time.  The  motion  was  carried,  and  the  following  ministers  were 
appointed:  L.  C.  Murdock,  A.  F.  Chaffee,  Wilson  Treible, 
H.  M.  Crydenwise,  George  Forsyth,  J.  H.  Littell.    The  laymen 


Redistricting  the  Conference 


145 


elected  were:  A.  A.  Lord,  Binghamton  District;  Mr.  Stan- 
ton, Chenango  District;  A.  E.  Tiffany,  Honesdale  District; 
Dr.  Bourne,  Oneonta  District;  A.  I.  Decker,  Owego  Dis- 
trict; W.  H.  Peck,  Wyoming  District.  The  committee  met  on 
the  day  preceding  Conference  (April  15,  1903)  and  made  a 
division  of  our  territory  into  five  districts.  When  the  report  was 
made  to  Conference  it,  with  a  four-district  plan  presented  by 
Rev.  M.  D.  Fuller,  was  referred  to  the  bishop.  The  bishop  took 
no  action,  on  the  ground  that  1904  would  be  a  more  favorable 
time  to  redistrict,  the  terms  of  three  presiding  elders  expiring 
with  that  Conference.  It  is  understood  that  Bishop  FitzGerald 
thinks  the  Conference  ought  to  be  redistricted,  and  favors  five 
districts. 
10 


146 


Wyoming  Conference 
Sessions  of  Conference 


1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 

1857 
1858 

1859 
i860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 

1879 
1880 


1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 


Time. 


July  8  

July  27  

June  21 ... , 
June  20-25  • 
July  2-10. .  , 
May  6-11 . , 
May  6-10. . 
May  12-18. 


Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Mar 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apri 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 
Apr 


1  19-25- • 
1  II-16.. 
I  9-14. .  . 
1  8-14..  . 
ch  23-29. 
1  12-17.. 
1  18-24.. 
1  17-22.. 
1  8-14... 
1  15-19- • 
1  13-18.. 
1  5-10..  . 

1  3-9---  • 
1  2-8. . . . 
I  15-20.. 
1  14-20.. 
1  5-12.. . 
I11-17.. 
1  17-23- • 
1  16-23.  • 
1  14-19.. 
1  6-11..  . 
1  5-10. .  . 
I  4-9-  •  •  • 


Apr 

Apr 

Apr 

Apr 

Apr 

Apr 

Apr 

Mar 

Apri 

Ap 

Apr: 

Apr: 

Apr: 

Apr 

Apr 


Apr: 
Apr 
Apr 


March  26-31. 


1  9-14, 
I8-13... 
1  14-19- • 
1  11-17.. 
I3-8.... 
I2-7.... 
1  1-6. . .  . 
ch  23-29. 
1  12-17.. 
1  11-16.. 
1  10-15.. 
1  1-6. . . . 
I  7-12... 
1  13-18.. 

I  12-18.. 


April  18-23.. 


1  9-15.. 
1  16-21. 
1  16-20. 


Place. 


Carbondale,  Pa  

Brooklyn,  Pa  

Waverly,  N.  Y  

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa  

Binghamton,  N.  Y  

Abington,  Pa  

Pittston,  Pa  

Newark  Valley,  N.  Y  

Scianton,  Pa  

Owego,  X.  Y  

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa  

Susquehanna,  Pa  

Waverly,  N.  Y  

Carbondale,  Pa  , . 

Owego,  X.  Y  

Hyde  Park,  Pa  

Binghamton,  N.  Y  

Honesdale,  Pa  

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa  

Norwich,  X"^.  Y  

Owego,  X.  Y  

Waverly,  X.  Y  

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa  

Oneonta,  N.  Y  

Binghamton,  N.  Y  

Honesdale,  Pa  

West  Pittston,  Pa  

Xoi-wich,  X^.  Y  

Scranton,  Pa.,  Adams  Ave. 

Waverly,  X.  Y  

Carbondale,  Pa  

Binghamton,  Centenary. .  . 
Scranton,  Pa.,  Hyde  Park. 

Owego,  X".  Y  

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  First. . . 

Xorwich,  X.  Y  

Oneonta,  X.  Y  

West  Pittston,  Pa  

Binghamton,  Tabernacle. . 

Waverly,  X.  Y  

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  First.  .  . 

Honesdale,  Pa  

Scranton,  Pa.,  Elm  Park.. 

Carbondale,  Pa  

Binghamton,  Centenary... 

Oneonta,  X.  Y  

Xorwich,  X^.  Y  

Kingston,  Pa  , 


Bishop. 


Secretary. 


Owego,  X.  Y  

West  Pittston,  Pa  

Waverly,  X.  Y  

Binghamton,  Tabernacle, 


Scott  

Waugh  

Janes  

Ames  

Morris  

Scott  

Baker  

Ames  

Scott  

Simpson  

Scott   

Janes  

Janes  

Baker  

Thompson. .  .  . 

Simpson  

Kingsley  

Ames  

Janes  

Janes  

G.  Peck,  Pres. 

Ames  

G.  Haven. . .  . 

Scott  

Bowman  

Merrill  

Peck  

Simpson  

Harris  

.Andrews  

Kurst  

Wiley  

Warren  

Foster  

Mallalieu  . . . . 

Fowler  

Walden  

Foss  

Merrill  

Bowman  

Goodsell  

FitzGerald. ... 

Hurst  

Andrews  

Vincent  

Warren  

Fowler  

Xewman  •  •  •  | 

Joyce  f 

Foss  

Fowler  

Merrill  

FitzGerald  . . . 


N.  Rounds. 

B.  W.  Gorham. 

G.  P.  Porter. 

G.  P.  Porter. 

H.  Brownscombe. 
B.  W.  Gorham. 
|r.  Xelson. 

[R.  Xelson. 
|R.  Xelson. 
R.  Xelson. 
R.  Xelson. 
H.  Brownscombe. 
Y.  C.  Smith. 
Y.  C.  Smith. 
R.  Xelson. 
R.  Xelson. 
Y.  C.  Smith. 
Y.  C.  Smith. 
R.  Xelson. 
R.  Xel-son. 
R.  Xelson. 

G.  R.  Hair. 
F.  L.  Hiller. 
W.  N.  Cobb. 
F.  L.  Hiller. 
F.  L.  Hiller. 
If.  L.  Hiller. 
■F.  L.  Hiller. 
F.  L.  Hiller. 
W.  J.  Judd. 
W.  J.  Judd.  . 
W.  J.  Judd. 

W.  J.  Judd. 
T.  P.  Halstead. 
T.  P.  Halstead. 
Manley  S.  Hard. 
Man  ley  S.  Hard. 
Manley  S.  Hard. 
Manley  S.  Hard. 
Manley  S.  Hard. 
Edwin  B.  Olmstead. 
Edwin  B.  Olmstead. 
Edwin  B.  Olrnstead. 
Edwin  B.  Olmstead. 
Edwin  B.  Olmstead. 
John  B.  Sweet. 
John  B.  Sweet. 

John  B.  Sweet. 

John  B.  Sweet. 
John  B.  Sweet. 
John  B.  Sweet. 

H.  C.  McDermott. 


Deceased  Preachers 


147 


CHAPTER  IX 
DECEASED  PREACHERS 

Adams,  Moses,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  Janu- 
ary II,  1806.  Early  in  youth  he  espoused  the  cause  of  Christ, 
and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  a  feeble 
man,  yet  accomplished  much.  While  he  was  not  classically 
educated,  he  spent  some  time  as  a  student  in  Cazenovia  Semi- 
nary, and  for  a  considerable  time  was  a  teacher  in  the  English 
department  of  that  institution.  He  was  admitted  into  Oneida 
Conference  in  1830,  and  did  sixteen  years  of  effective  work. 
From  1848  to  1854  he  resided  in  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  and  then 
moved  to  Racine,  Wis.  In  1870  he  moved  to  Delphos,  Kan.,  mak- 
ing his  home  with  two  of  his  sons  and  a  daughter.  Here  he  died 
September  5,  1871.  During  the  short  time  he  lived  at  Delphos 
he  organized  a  Sunday  school  and  laid  the  foundations  for  a 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

In  1832  he  married  Miss  Caroline  Ballard,  of  central  New 
York.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them,  three  of  whom  are  now 
living — ^John  B.,  of  Saugatuck,  Mich. ;  George  W.,  of  Fairview, 
N.  Mex. ;  and  Mrs.  Caroline  Rickard,  of  Chippewa  Falls,  Wis. 
Mrs.  Adams  died  on  February  2,  1903,  while  on  a  visit  to  a 
granddaughter,  Mrs.  Lula  Foster  Lange,  at  Eau  Claire,  Wis.  She 
was  buried  beside  her  husband  at  Racine,  Wis. 

He  came  into  Wyoming  Conference  by  the  accession  of  the 
Oneida  Conference  territory. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1830,  Wyalusing;  1831, 
Dryden;  1832,  Newark;  1833,  Newfield;  1834,  Franklin;  1835, 
Dryden;  1836,  Oneida  Mission;  1837-38,  Sauquoit;  1839-40, 
Hampton  and  Lairdsville;  1841-42,  Verona;  1843,  Morrisville; 
18/^4-45,  Cortlandville ;  1846,  North  Danby;  1847,  sy. ;  1848-71,  sd. 

Alexander,  Almus  D.,  was  born  in  Hale's  Eddy,  Delaware 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  December  15,  1839,  ^i^^  Binghamton, 
N.  Y.,  on  May  18,  1899. 

He  was  the  son  of  a  local  preacher  of  wonderful  gifts  in  ex- 
hortation and  prayer.  His  mother  was  from  an  excellent  family 
and  a  beautiful  Christian  character.  After  her  husband's  death 
she  moved  to  Kingston,  Pa.,  for  the  purpose  of  educating  her  two 


148 


Wyoming  Conference 


sons  in  Wyoming  Seminary.  While  attending  the  seminary  such 
was  his  zeal  in  the  Master's  work  that  he  became  the  spiritual 
leader  of  a  large  class  of  young  men.  His  first  license  to  preach 
was  from  the  Kingston  Quarterly  Conference. 

On  September  27,  1883,  he  married  Miss  Mattie  Knight,  a 
woman  of  many  gifts,  who  suddenly  died  on  May  3,  1884.  This 

affliction  saddened  all  the  rest  of  his  life. 

His  ministry  was  followed  by  revivals. 
It  is  said  that  his  prayers  and  exhorta- 
tions were  cyclonic.  "At  Montrose,  com- 
mencing meetings  in  a  country  school- 
house,  the  revival  swept  into  the  town, 
and  the  whole  country  was  moved  like  a 
forest  shaken  by  the  wind,  and  five  hun- 
dred converts  were  gathered  into  the 
churches." 

Impaired  health  and  the  loss  of  hear- 
ing prompted  him  to  superannuate  in 
1 89 1,  after  which  time  he  resided  in 
Binghamton.  During  the  last  year  of  his 
ALMus  D.  ALEXANDER  ^^^^  Bright's  discasc  began  its  destructive 
work,  terminating  his  life  very  soon.  He 
was  buried  in  Hale's  Eddy,  N.  Y.,  the  place  of  his  birth. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1867  after  serving  as  supply 
under  presiding  elders  three  years. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1864,  Lackawaxen,  supply; 
1865-66,  Spencer,  supply;  1867,  Newton;  1868-69,  Hendricks- 
burg;  1870,  North  Danby;  1871-72,  Montrose;  1873-75,  Main 
Street,  Binghamton;  1876-78,  Owego;  1879-81,  High  Street, 
Binghamton;  1882-84,  Chenango  Street,  Binghamton;  1885-87, 
Whitney's  Point;  1888,  Greene;  1889-90,  Smyrna;  1891-99,  sd. 

Andrews,  George  Clinton,  was  born  in  Salem,  Wayne 
County,  Pa.,  on  September  30,  1840.  He  was  converted  in  his 
twenty-second  year,  and  the  Beach  Pond  Quarterly  Conference 
gave  him  local  preacher's  license  in  1863.  During  the  years  1864- 
66  he  attended  Wyoming  Seminary,  but  impaired  health  prevented 
his  completion  of  the  course.  Regaining  health,  he  began  his 
lifework,  serving  the  following  charges  as  supply:  1867,  Herrick 
Center;  1869,  Oregon;  1870-72,  Lackawaxen.  His  health  being 
poor,  the  Conference  hesitated  some  time  to  receive  him.  His 
many  good  qualities  so  endeared  him  to  the  Conference  that  he 
was  cheerfully  received  in  1873. 


Deceased  Preachers 


149 


On  May  3,  1871,  he  married  Mrs. 
Maria  Wcstfall,  widow  of  Rev.  John 
Westfall,  a  local  preacher  who  died  in 
1864  leaving  two  children.  Mr.  Andrews 
had  no  children. 

Failing  health  caused  him  to  superan- 
nuate in  1879.  On  July  12  of  that  year 
he  died  of  consumption,  at  Franklin 
Forks,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  His 
funeral  was  held  at  Franklin  Forks,  and 
his  body  was  taken  to  Salem,  Pa.,  for 
burial.  His  widow  is  now  living  at  Mil- 
ford,  Pa. 

His  pastorates  were  as  follows :  1873-      george  c.  Andrews 
74,    Pleasant    Valley;    1875,  Osborne 
Hollow;  1876-77,  Triangle;  1878,  Union  Center;  1879,  sd. 

Angel,  Joseph  R.,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  on  June  5, 
1830,  and  died  in  the  village  of  Maine,  Broome  County,  N.  Y., 
after  a  short  sickness,  of  heart  failure,  on  February  11,  1898. 

He  was  converted  in  1852,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  was  given  exhorter's  license 
by  Rev.  C.  V.  Arnold.  His  zeal  was 
owned  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  souls. 

His  business,  or  trade,  was  that  of  an 
engineer.  During  the  war  he  was  with 
the  construction  corps  for  some  time. 

After  having  served  South  Canaan 
charge  two  years  as  supply,  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  Wyoming  Conference  in  1871. 

On  May  10,  1859,  he  married  Miss 
Mary   H.   Stone,   of   Sterling,  Wayne 
County,  Pa.    She,  with  one  daughter, 
Mrs.  Nellie  Russell,  survives  him.  His 
JOSEPH  R.  ANGEL         body  was  laid  away  in  Windham,  Pa. 

On  some  of  his  charges  extensive  re- 
vivals were  experienced.  It  is  claimed  that  he  invariably  left 
churches  and  parsonages  in  better  shape  than  he  found  them. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1871,  Herrick  Center; 
1872-74,  Damascus;  1875-76,  Windham;  1877-79,  Le  Raysville ; 
1880-82,  Camptown;  1883-85,  Meshoppen;  1886-88,  Newton; 
1889-90,  Lackawanna;  1891-92,  Nicholson;  1893-94,  Dalton; 
1895-96,  Vestal ;  1897,  Maine. 


Wyoming  Conference 


CALVIN  V.  ARNOLD 


Arnold,  Calvin  V.,  was  born  on  November  ii,  1822,  in  Pike 
township,  Bradford  County,  Pa.  His  father  was  the  first  white 
child  born  in  Warren  township,  Bradford  County,  Pa.,  being  born 

on  August  27,  1800.  He  was  the  first- 
born of  twelve  children.  His  home  was 
a  pious  one.  Among  the  earliest  things 
he  remembered  was  his  kneeling  by  his 
little  chair  during  family  prayer,  in  the 
log  house  where  he  was  born.  When  old 
enough  to  attend  school  he  attended  "a 
very  inferior  district  school  in  the  thick 
of  the  forest,"  as  he  said.  When  old 
enough  to  perform  work  on  the  farm  he 
worked  summers  and  went  to  school 
winters. 

In  his  fifteenth  year  he  was  converted, 
in  the  month  of  September,  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Ellis,  and 
soon  after  united  with  the  Church.  He 
soon  felt  called  to  the  ministry.  Two  years  after  joining  the 
Church  he  was  given  an  exhorter's  license  by  Rev.  Daniel  Torry, 
in  which  capacity  he  served  the  Church  five  years.  In  the  fall 
before  he  was  twenty-one  he  attended  the  Elmira  Academy  one 
term,  and  then  taught  a  district  school  in  the  township  of  Big 
Flats,  four  miles  above  Elmira,  four  months.  In  September, 
1843,  he  was  given  a  local  preacher's  license. 

In  the  fall  of  1844  the  death  of  his  wife's  brother  made  it  ad- 
visable for  him  to  take  his  place  in  partnership  with  his  father-in- 
law.  The  firm  did  business  in  South  Warren,  ran  a  general  store, 
in  which  was  the  post  office,  and  manufactured  pearlash.  This 
firm  was  one  of  the  first  to  market  this  product  in  northern  Penn- 
sylvania. After  four  years  of  business  life  his  convictions  con- 
cerning his  duty  to  preach  became  so  strong  that  he  felt  he  could 
no  longer  resist.  He  accordingly  withdrew  from  the  firm  and 
united  with  the  Oneida  Conference,  at  Owego,  N.  Y.,  in  July, 
1848.  The  class  was  a  memorable  one,  consisting  of  Edward  G. 
Andrews,  Samuel  Orcutt,  Nelson  Cuykendall,  Calvin  V.  Arnold, 
Timothy  D.  Walker,  Jasper  Hewitt,  George  P.  Porter,  Ammi  B. 
Hyde.  When  the  Wyoming  Conference  was  organized  he  became 
a  constituent  member. 

On  October  i,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Content  B.  Buffington, 
of  South  Warren,  Bradford  County,  Pa.,  who  died  in  Bingham- 
ton,  N.  Y.,  on  July  2,  1895.    Six  children  were  born  to  them, 


Deceased  Preachers 


three  of  whom  are  now  living — S.  F.  Arnold,  of  Binghamton; 
E.  L.  Arnold,  of  Warren  Center ;  and  F.  M.  Arnold,  of  Syracuse, 
N.  Y.  On  March  20,  1897,  he  married  Mrs.  Nancy  Tingley, 
mother  of  his  oldest  son's  wife,  who  survives  him. 

After  retiring  from  active  work  he  settled  in  Binghamton, 
where  he  died  on  July  25,  1900. 

Very  few  men  have  been  permitted  to  make  the  record  he  made. 
He  built  three  parsonages  and  twenty  churches,  and  received  over 
two  thousand  members  into  the  Church.  Out  of  revivals  con- 
ducted by  him  came  five  preachers  who  have  been  members  of 
this  Conference — George  Comfort,  I.  T.  Walker,  Joseph  Angel, 
H.  H.  Dresser,  and  Jonas  Underwood. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1848,  Windsor;  1849,  Conk- 
lin;  1850-51,  Lanesboro;  1852,  Vestal;  1853-54,  Salem;  1855-56, 
Mount  Pleasant;  1857,  Sanford;  1858,  located  by  advice  and  with 
written  recommendation  of  Bishop  Scott  to  Nebraska  Conference, 
but  sickness  compelled  a  return;  1859,  Shepherd's  Creek;  1860-61, 
Candor;  1862-63,  Newark;  1864-65,  Hawley;  1866-67,  Mount 
Pleasant;  1868,  Nicholson;  1869,  Brooklyn;  1870-72,  Hawleyton; 
1873-75,  Castle  Creek;  1876,  New  Milford;  1877-79,  Maine; 
1880,  Vestal;  1881-82,  Kirkwood;  1883-85,  McDonough;  1886-87, 
Gilbertsville ;  1888-90,  Osborne  Hollow  and  Port  Crane;  1891-92, 
Westford;  1893-1900,  sd. 

Austin,  Isaac,  was  born  in  Union,  Luzerne  County,  Pa., 
August  29,  1828,  and  died  at  his  home,  near  Muhlenburg,  Pa., 
March  15,  1883. 

His  early  years  were  spent  upon  his 
father's  farm,  doing  farm  work  during 
the  summer  months  and  attending  school 
winters.  He  was  converted  at  nineteen 
years  of  age,  at  a  meeting  held  at  Mc- 
Kendree,  and  was  soon  made  a  class 
leader.  Exhorter's  license  was  given  him 
in  1854,  and  local  preacher's  license  in 
1857.  During  the  years  he  held  this  re- 
lation to  the  Church  he  was  abundant  in 
labors,  being  usually  engaged  in  revival 
work  during  the  fall  and  winter  months 
with  great  success.  In  1864  he  was  ap- 
pointed as  supply  to  Lackawanna,  and  in  isaac  austin 
the  following  year  joined  Wyoming  Con- 
ference.  He  was  eminently  successful  in  winning  souls. 


152 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1880  his  health  failed  from  overwork,  and  he  retired  to  his 
farm  near  Muhlenburg.  In  1881  he  was  prostrated  with  paralysis, 
from  which  he  never  rallied.  He  was  a  great  sufferer  from  his 
helplessness,  rheumatism  of  the  heart,  and  other  ailments,  until 
his  death.  He  was  buried  in  the  old  Benscoter  Cemetery,  near 
Muhlenburg. 

On  January  17,  1850,  he  married  Miss  Barbara  Benscoter,  of 
Muhlenburg,  who  survived  him  until  April  27,  1899,  when  she 
died.   She  was  buried  by  his  side  in  the  Benscoter  Cemetery. 

"A  remarkable  fact  in  his  history  as  a  Methodist  minister  was 
that  all  of  his  appointments,  excepting  one  which  was  only  a  few 
miles  more  distant,  lay  within  sight  of  his  birthplace  and  early 
home.  He  could  climb  a  hill  near  the  old  house  in  which  he  was 
born,  not  far  distant  from  the  sacred  spot  where  he  was  born 
again,  and  easily  command  a  complete  view  of  the  scenes  of  his 
entire  lifework." 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1865,  Lackawanna;  1866, 
Northmoreland ;  1867-68,  Newton;  1869-71,  Lehman;  1872- 
74,  Carverton;  1875-77,  Newton;  1878-79,  Northmoreland; 
1880-82,  sd. 

Bailey,  William  H.,  was  born  on  May  i,  1861,  in  Summit, 
Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Union  Center,  Broome 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  April  7,  1890.  He  died  at  the  home  of  Mr. 
Charles  Pitkin,  of  Union  Center,  where  he  received  every  atten- 
tion possible  during  his  sickness. 

His  early  life  and  advantages  were  such  as  are  common  to 
young  men  reared  upon  a  farm,  where  the  owner  struggles  to 
support  his  family  and  pay  for  his  land.  His  education  was 
principally  that  which  the  district  school  could  give,  he  having 
attended  a  graded  school  but  a  few  terms,  teaching  and  otherwise 
laboring  between  the  terms  to  defray  expenses. 

He  was  converted  in  the  fall  of  1879  in  a  revival  at  East  Wor- 
cester, N.  Y.,  and  immediately  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  at  once  became  an  active  worker  in  the  Church, 
receiving  exhorter's  license  in  1881  and  local  preacher's  license  in 
1884.  In  1885  he  was  appointed  supply  to  South  New  Berlin,  and 
in  1886  joined  Wyoming  Conference  on  trial.  From  1886  to  1887 
he  served  Harford  charge,  and  in  1888  was  sent  to  Union  Center. 
During  the  last  winter  of  his  life  consumption  began  its  fatal 
work,  yet  he  continued  to  do  his  work  until  a  couple  of  months 
before  his  death. 

His  body  was  taken  to  East  Worcester  for  burial,  ^nd  on  April 


Deceased  Preachers 


153 


13,  1900,  the  Sunday  following  his  burial,  upon  the  suggestion  of 
the  pastor  at  Union,  his  friends  on  the  Union  Center  charge 
gladly  gave  money  to  erect  a  stone  at  the  head  of  his  grave.  Now 
a  neat  Scotch  red  granite,  the  gift  of  love,  marks  his  resting  place. 

Barker,  Abel^  died  at  his  home  in  Wyoming,  Pa.,  on  Septem- 
ber 24,  1886,  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

He  was  born  in  Kingston,  Pa.,  and  educated  in  the  old  Kingston 
Academy.  At  twenty-five  years  of  age  he  joined  the  Oneida  Con- 
ference, and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  upon  its 
organization. 

He  had  a  brother,  Thomas  B.,  for  many  years  a  minister  in  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  who  within  a  few  years  before  his 
death  united  with  the  Elm  Park  Church  of  Scranton,  and  whose 
orders  were  recognized  by  the  Conference  of  1896. 

During  his  pastorate  at  Honesdale  he  was  so  severely  afflicted 
with  minister's  sore  throat  that  he  was  compelled  to  cease  work. 
However,  he  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  do  some  work  in 
subsequent  years. 

"While  living  at  Honesdale  he  invented  a  mine  pump,  the  right 
of  which  he  sold  for  a  large  sum.  He  was  also  the  patentee  of 
several  useful  inventions.  During  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he 
was  employed  as  the  special  agent  and  overseer  of  train  service 
on  the  Bloomsburg  division  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and 
Western  Railroad." 

He  was  twice  married,  and  left  a  wife,  two  sons,  and  two 
daughters  to  mourn  his  loss. 

He  was  buried  in  the  Forty  Fort  Cemetery,  where  lie  buried  a 
number  of  Wyoming  Conference  men. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1836,  Canaan;  1837,  Pittston; 
1838-39,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1840-41,  Newfield ;  1842,  Candor; 
1843-44,  Binghamton;  1845-46,  Honesdale;  1847-53,  sy. ;  1854, 
Presiding  Elder  Honesdale  District;  1855,  sy. ;  1856-57,  Carbon- 
dale;  1858-86,  sd. 

Earner,  Silas,  was  born  in  Cobleskill,  N.  Y.,  August  28,  1807, 
and  died  at  Rome,  Pa.,  April  23,  1886. 

In  early  life  he  entered  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  joined  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  1831  the  Quarterly  Conference 
of  Sharon  Circuit  gave  him  a  local  preacher's  license.  About 
1845  he  was  ordained  deacon.  In  1849  he  removed  to  Rome,  Pa., 
and  served  charges  near  his  home  as  supply  under  the  elder.  In 
1855  he  joined  the  Wyoming  Conference.  Failing  health 
prompted  him  to  superannuate  in  1873,  and  retire  from  active 


154 


Wyoming  Conference 


SILAS  EARNER 

boro;  1865-66,  Page 
Orwell ;  1873-86,  sd. 


work  in  the  ministry.  Henceforth  he 
resided  on  his  farm  near  Rome,  where 
he  died.  He  was  buried  in  the  cem- 
etery of  the  town  where  he  had  so  many 
years  exemplified  a  Christian  life. 

In  185 1  he  married  Miss  Harriet  N. 
Clagett,  of  Susquehanna  County,  Pa. 
She  survived  her  husband  until  Novem- 
ber 30,  1888,  when  she  died  at  the  home 
of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  C.  H.  Jewell,  in 
Lockwood,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1855, 
Rome;  1856-57,  Dundaff  and  Glenwood; 
1858-59,  Beach  Pond;  1860-61,  San- 
ford;  1862,  Damascus;  1863-64,  Lanes- 
Brook;   1867-69,  Harpursville ;  1870-72, 


Bartlett,  Philip,  was  born  in  Kent  County,  England,  in  De- 
cember, 1811,  and  died  in  Astoria,  N.  Y.,  on  June  16,  1899. 

When  twenty-two  years  old  he  came  to  America,  and  securing 
a  position  on  a  farm  he  continued  to  earn 
money  and  send  home  until  he  brought 
to  this  country  his  parents,  brothers, 
sisters,  and  their  husbands  and  children. 

His  conversion  occurred  in  his  native 
land,  when  he  was  returning  from  a  mid- 
week prayer  service.  He  seated  himself 
on  a  wayside  stile,  under  deep  contrition 
for  sin,  praying,  hoping.  At  last  the  wit- 
ness came  and  his  soul  was  full  of  joy. 
A  call  to  preach  soon  came  through  his 
own  convictions  and  the  voice  of  the 
Church.  His  educational  opportunities 
were  limited,  yet  he  made  the  most  of 
them. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  first  mar- 
riage was  in  England,  his  wife  dying  before  he  came  to  America. 
A  daughter  was  born  him  by  this  wife.  His  second  marriage  was 
to  Miss  Clara  Bush,  of  Guilford,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  on 
August  27,  1843.  Six  children  were  born  to  them,  five  of  whom, 
with  the  wife,  survived  him.  Mrs.  Bartlett  died  on  April  20,  1903, 
at  Astoria,  N.  Y. 


PHILIP  BARTLETT 


Deceased  Preachers 


155 


In  1838  he  joined  Oneida  Conference  and  became  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organization.  After  his  superannua- 
tion he  served  Astoria,  ArHngton,  Bcllport,  Oyster  Bay,  and 
Steinway,  in  the  section  near  his  home. 

After  his  superannuation  he  lived  on  Staten  Island  until 
November,  1868,  v^hen  he  moved  to  Astoria,  where  he  lived  until 
death.  He  was  buried  in  Woodlawn  Cemetery,  in  the  suburbs  of 
New  York  city. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1838-39,  Westford ;  1840, 
Otego;  1841-42,  Chenango;  1843,  Bainbridge;  1844-45,  Page 
Brook;  1846-47,  Lanesboro;  1848-49,  Orwell;  1850-51,  Le  Rays- 
ville;  1852-53,  Montrose;  1854,  Barton;  1855-62,  agent  of  Con- 
ference Tract  Society;  1863-64,  Great  Bend  and  New  Milford; 
1865-99,  sd. 

Bennett^  Edgar  L.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Smyrna,  Che- 
nango County,  N.  Y.,  on  January  i,  1846,  and  died  at  the  home 
of  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  C.  S.  Toby,  while  on  a  visit  with  his 
family,  and  within  a  mile  of  his  birth- 
place, on  October  2,  1898. 

His  boyhood  home  was  preeminently 
Christian.  In  his  seventeenth  year  he 
consecrated  himself  to  Christ.  He  was 
of  studious  habits  and  succeeded  in  pre- 
paring himself  for  the  profession  of 
teaching,  in  which  he  was  considered 
superior.  He  had  allowed  his  religious 
enthusiasm  to  abate  somewhat,  and  was 
in  a  backslidden  state,  when  in  1870  he 
reconsecrated  himself  to  the  Lord.  This 
reconsecration  led  him  into  the  ministry. 

He  served  one  year  in  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  belonging  to  Company  H,  5th     edgar  l.  bennett 
New  York  Heavy  Artillery. 

On  May  5,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Latie  J.  Bennett,  of  Smyrna. 
Four  children  were  born  to  them,  three  of  whom,  two  sons  and  a 
daughter,  and  the  wife  survive  him. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1875.  In  1892  impaired 
health  prompted  him  to  superannuate.  He  settled  in  Bingham- 
ton,  where  he  lived  until  death,  and  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business. 

"While  serving  Pittston,  his  last  charge,  he  was  taken  ill,  and 
from  the  effects  of  that  sickness  he  never  fully  recovered.  .  .  . 


156 


Wyoming  Conference 


At  times  his  physical  condition  greatly  depressed  him  mentally, 
and  such  was  his  condition  during  his  last  days,  and  led  to  his 
sad  death."   He  was  buried  at  Smyrna,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1875,  Jackson;  1876-78, 
Chenango;  1879-81,  Guilford;  1882-84,  Lisle;  1885,  North  Fenton 
and  New  Ohio;  1886-90,  Chenango  Street,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. ; 
1891,  Pittston;  1892-98,  sd. 

Bennett,  Lucien  S.,  was  born  about  18 10,  and  died  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  on  August  3,  1851. 

We  have  been  unable  to  find  a  memoir  of  him.  He  died  the 
August  prior  to  the  organization  of  the  Wyoming  Conference. 
Living  within  the  territory  which  formed  the  Conference,  his 
death  was  noted  at  the  first  session,  and  his  widow  was  a  claim- 
ant upon  the  funds  of  the  Conference  for  many  years.  No 
memoir  was  published  in  the  Wyoming  Conference  Minutes  or 
the  General  Minutes.  A  search  of  the  Church  papers  has 
furnished  nothing. 

After  superannuation  he  moved  to  Kingston,  Pa.,  where  he 
lived  about  three  years,  when  he  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre.  His 
wife,  Selina,  lost  health  through  long  watching  and  waiting  upon 
her  husband.  After  a  while  she  became  bewitched  by  spiritual- 
ism, and  later  became  insane.  In  1870  she  was  placed  in  the 
State  asylum  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  where  she  died  on  October 
6,  1892. 

He  joined  Oneida  Conference  in  1834,  and  served  the  follow- 
ing charges  as  stated:  1834,  Bridgewater;  1835,  Brooklyn; 
1836-37,  Canaan;  1838,  Dundaff;  1839,  Windsor;  1840,  Canaan; 
1841,  Bethany;  1842-43,  Wyoming;  1844,  sd. ;  1845,  sy. ;  1846, 
sd. ;  1847,  Tunkhannock;  1848-51,  sd. 

BiBBiNS,  Elisha,  was  born  in  Hampton,  Washington  County, 
N.  Y.,  July  16,  1790,  and  died  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  July  6,  1859. 

He  was  brought  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ  November  8,  1805, 
under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Bradley  Sellick.  He  received  a  local 
preacher's  license  in  January,  1812,  and  in  July  of  the  same  year 
joined  the  Genesee  Conference  on  trial. 

His  pastorates  were  as  follows:  1812,  Wyoming;  1813,  Che- 
nango; 1814,  Bridgewater;  1815,  Wyalusing;  1816,  Broome; 
1817,  Cortland;  1818,  Wyalusing;  1819,  Shamokin ;  1820-21, 
Wyoming;  1822-23,  Canaan.  In  1824  he  superannuated,  and 
sustained  this  relation,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  years 
in  which  he  was  supernumerary,  until  the  time  of  his  death. 


Deceased  Preachers 


157 


At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  visiting  his  old  friend,  Dr. 
George  Peck.  After  an  afternoon  and  evening  spent  in  charming 
conversation  he  retired  about  ten  o'clock.  While  frail,  nothing 
unusual  or  alarming  was  noticed  in  his  condition.  Before  the 
dawn  of  another  day  he  was  gone.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a 
good  preacher  and  a  great  soul-winner. 

At  the  organization  of  the  Oneida  and  of  the  Wyoming  Con- 
ferences he  fell  into  each  successively  because  of  his  geographical 
location. 

BiXBY,  William,  was  born  at  Bainbridge,  N.  Y.,  August  10, 
1814,  and  died  at  the  home  of  his  sister,  Mrs.  Lauretta  Scott,  in 
Bainbridge,  on  December  20,  1889. 

He  was  converted  at  seventeen  years 
of  age,  and  at  once  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  When  he  concluded 
that  God  was  calling  him  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry  he  determined  to  secure  the 
best  preparation  within  his  grasp  and  ac- 
cordingly secured  an  academical  training 
at  Cazenovia  Seminary. 

In  1837  he  joined  Oneida  Conference, 
and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference when  Oneida  territory  was  al- 
lotted to  it  in  1869. 

In  November  of  1888,  after  the  death 
of  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead  at  Nanticoke,  he 
was  appointed  as  supply  to  fill  out  the  william  bixby 
year.  He  did  this  with  such  rare  effi- 
ciency that  his  return  for  the  following  year  was  unanimously 
requested  by  the  church.  "Bishop  Foss,  in  making  the  appoint- 
ment, said  it  was  extraordinary  to  place  a  man  seventy-five  years 
old  in  charge  of  a  church  requiring  the  services  of  a  vigorous, 
active  pastor,  but  in  this  case  it  seemed  the  proper  and  only 
thing  to  do,  not  merely  to  gratify  the  church  so  earnestly  asking 
for  him,  but  as  an  example  and  inspiration  to  the  older  men  of 
the  Conference." 

The  results  of  this  appointment  were  highly  satisfactory.  He 
drew  large  congregations,  and  preached  with  the  vigor  of  early 
manhood.  "His  last  two  sermons — one  on  'The  Divinity  of 
Christ,'  and  the  other  on  The  Sin  Against  the  Holy  Ghost' — led 
to  the  conversion  of  a  number  of  the  most  prominent  persons  in 
Nanticoke." 


Wyoming  Conference 


There  were  three  themes  which  were  favorites  with  him,  in 
the  treatment  of  which  he  was  cyclonic — Calvinism,  Universal- 
ism,  and  intemperance. 

He  was  twice  a  delegate  to  General  Conference,  i860  and  1880, 
and  twice  a  reserve  delegate,  1868  and  1872. 

In  1841  he  married  Miss  Laura  Stewart  Starr,  of  Bristol,  Pa., 
who  passed  away  on  April  11,  1883.  Two  sons  were  born  to 
them,  one  of  whom,  Charles  W.,  survives  them. 

His  funeral  services  were  held  at  Bainbridge,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
died,  and  his  body  was  buried  at  Oneonta,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1837,  Chenango;  1838, 
Exeter;  1839-40,  Otsego;  1841,  Cooperstown;  1842-43,  Homer; 
1844-45,  Oxford;  1846-47,  Otsego;  1848-49,  Hartwick;  1850-51, 
Cincinnatus;  1852-53,  Ames;  1854-57,  Presiding  Elder  on  Che- 
nango District;  1858-61,  Presiding  Elder  on  Cazenovia  District; 
1862-63,  Ithaca;  1864,  Skaneateles ;  1865-68,  Presiding  Elder  on 
Otsego  District;  1869-70,  Presiding  Elder  on  Honesdale  District; 
1871-72,  Owego;  1873-74,  Providence;  1875,  Marathon;  1876-79, 
Presiding  Elder  on  Binghamton  District;  1880,  Marathon;  1881, 
sy.;  1882-83,  Gilbertsville ;  1884-85,  Westville;  1886-87,  Lanes- 
boro;  1888,  sd. ;  1889,  Nanticoke. 

Blakeslee,  George  Harmon,  was  born  in  Springville,  Sus- 
quehanna County,  Pa.,  October  28,  1819,  and  died  at  the  home 
of  his  son-in-law,  Professor  Stowell,  at  Cortland,  N.  Y.,  on  July 


His  father's  home  was  for  many  years 
a  home  for  the  early  itinerant  preachers. 
He  found  peace  in  believing  May  19, 
1834.  He  was  licensed  to  exhort  in  1837, 
and  given  local  preacher's  license  in  1840. 
He  was  soon  employed  as  junior  preacher 
on  Canaan  Circuit,  and  in  August,  1841, 
was  admitted  to  the  Oneida  Conference 
on  trial,  and  became  a  member  of  Wy- 
oming Conference  at  its  organization. 

On  May  14,  1845,  he  married  Miss 
Hester  Ann  Cargill,  of  Jackson,  Pa.  In 
1867  he  took  a  supernumerary  relation 


GEORGE  H.  BLAKESLEE    ^ud  movcd  to  Lima,  N.  Y.,  in  order  to 
educate  his  children  in  the  seminary  and 
college  located  in  the  place.    He  remained  in  Lima  four  years, 
and  supplied  charges  in  that  section  during  the  time.    Six  chil- 


Deceased  Preachers 


159 


dren  were  bom  to  them:  Rev.  F.  D.  Blakeslee,  D.D.,  president 
of  Cazenovia  Seminary;  Erasmus  Darwin,  who,  after  teaching 
several  years  in  the  Potsdam  State  Normal  School,  studied  law 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  who  died  in  1883 ;  Mary,  wife  of 
Dr.  T.  B.  Stowell,  principal  of  the  Potsdam  State  Normal  School ; 
Helen,  wife  of  Professor  Warren  Mann,  who  has  filled  the  chair 
of  natural  sciences  in  the  Potsdam  State  Normal  School  over 
twenty-five  years ;  Clara,  wife  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Miller,  pastor  of  the 
Potsdam  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  Emma,  wife  of  J.  L. 
Kellogg,  of  Lincoln,  Neb. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1841,  Vestal;  1842,  Brook- 
lyn; 1843,  Wyoming;  1844,  Brooklyn;  1845,  Vestal;  1846-47, 
Dundafif;  1848-49,  Pike;  1850-51,  Nichols;  1852-53,  Susque- 
hanna and  Lanesboro;  1854-55,  Owego;  1856-57,  Newark  Valley; 
1858,  Carbondale;  1859-62,  Presiding  Elder  of  Wyalusing  Dis- 
trict; 1863,  Providence;  1864,  Court  Street,  Binghamton;  1865- 
66,  Susquehanna;  1867-70,  sy. ;  1871-72,  Candor;  1873,  Newark 
Valley;  1874-75,  Nichols;  1876,  until  death,  sd. 

Blanchard,  Hiram  A.,  was  born  in  Sodus,  Wayne  County, 
N.  Y.,  on  May  i,  1824,  and  died  in  Portlandville,  N.  Y.,  on 
May  4,  1898. 

His  educational  advantages  were  such 
as  the  common  district  school  could  give 
him.  The  time  of  his  conversion  is  not 
known.  However,  he  was  licensed  to 
preach  before  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  In  1849  he  joined  the  Genesee  Con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church,  and  gave  seventeen  years  of 
service  to  that  denomination.  While  with 
this  body  he  served  East  Schuyler, 
Paine's  Hollow,  South  Valley,  Conquest, 
Boyleston,  and  Rome,  N.  Y.  His  brethren 
honored  him  by  electing  him  president  of 
this  Conference  three  successive  years. 
Preferring  the  polity  of  the  Methodist  hiram  a.  blanchard 
Episcopal  Church,  he  joined  Wyoming 

Conference  in  1867.  After  superannuation  he  lived  in  the  village 
of  Portlandville  until  death. 

On  December  25,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Hannah  Hunt  Rich- 
ardson, of  Huron,  N.  Y.  Three  sons  and  one  daughter  were  born 
to  them,  of  whom  two  are  still  living — Mrs.  F.  M.  Loomis,  of 


i6o 


Wyoming  Conference 


Paine's  Hollow,  and  H.  Delos,  M.D.,  of  Portlandville.  She  passed 
to  her  reward  on  July  19,  1894.  Husband  and  wife  are  buried  in 
the  cemetery  in  Westville,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1849-66,  Methodist  Protes- 
tant Church;  1867,  Schuyler's  Lake;  1868-69,  Westville;  1870, 
Decatur;  1871-72,  Sidney;  1873-74,  Fly  Creek;  1875,  Little 
Meadows;  1876-77,  Garrattsville ;  1878,  Westford;  1879-81, 
Laurens;  1882-83,  Sanford;  1884,  sy. ;  1885,  Sidney  Center;  1886, 
Clifford;  1887-88,  Beach  Pond;  1889-90,  sd. ;  1891-92,  Wells 
Bridge;  1893-98,  sd. 

Brown,  Abijah,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Augusta,  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  March  25,  1810,  and  died  in  Masonville,  N.  Y., 
on  September  22,  1894. 

His  parents,  who  were  Methodists  be- 
fore his  remembrance,  moved  upon  the 
Stockbridge  reservation  when  he  was  six 
years  of  age.  He  found  Christ  when  he 
was  eight  years  old.  After  a  season  he 
wandered  from  the  fold,  and  was  not  re- 
claimed  until  July  21,  1831,  when  at  his 
father's  family  altar  he  again  found 
peace. 

He  was  given  exhorter's  license  in 
1837,  and  local  preacher's  license  in  1842. 
He  had  been  a  local  preacher  eight  years, 
when,  in  1850,  he  was  sent  to  Smyrna  as 
supply,  and  in  185 1  joined  the  Oneida 
Conference.  He  became  a  member  of 
the  Wyoming  Conference  by  the  allot- 
ment of  territory  in  1869. 

On  November  6,  1833,  he  married  Miss  Rhoda  Carpenter,  who 
survived  him  until  1895.   Both  are  buried  in  Masonville. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1851-52,  Union  Valley; 
1853-54,  Freetown;  1855-56,  Virgil;  1857,  Groton;  1858-59,  Har- 
ford; 1860-61,  Scott;  1862,  McLean;  1863,  Georgetown;  1864, 
Perryville;  1865-68,  Onondaga  Indian  Mission;  1869-70,  Ply- 
mouth; 1871-73,  Preston;  1874,  South  New  Berlin;  1875-76, 
Nineveh;  1877-78,  Masonville;  1879-94,  sd.  Five  months  of  1879 
he  supplied  Sidney  Center. 

Breckinridge,  E.  W.,  was  born  in  Dover,  England,  November 
20,  1807,  and  died  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  April  3,  1885. 


Deceased  Preachers 


i6i 


He  was  converted  at  an  early  age,  and  at  fifteen  received  a 
local  preacher's  license.  When  twenty- 
five  years  of  age  he  came  to  America. 
Here  his  gifts  were  recognized  and  his 
services  as  a  local  preacher  continually 
sought.  In  1836  he  joined  the  Oneida 
Conference,  and  became  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organiza- 
tion. 

In  183 1  he  married  Miss  Mary  Ann 
Adkins,  of  Ramsgate,  England,  who  died 
in  1867.  Nine  children  were  born  to 
them,  five  of  whom  survived  them,  one 
being  Rev.  J.  S.  Breckinridge,  D.D.,  of 
the  New  York  East  Conference.  In  1871 
he  married  Mrs.  Luna  N.  Hall,  of  New 
Berlin,  N.  Y.,  who  survived  him  until 
May  19,  1895,  when  she  passed  away,  at  Burlington,  N.  Y. 

He  was  buried  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1836,  Westmoreland;  1837, 
Litchfield;  1838,  Winfield;  1839,  Litchfield;  1840-41,  Canajoharie; 
1842,  Springfield;  1843,  Deansville;  1844,  Warren;  1845-46, 
Brookfield;  1847-48,  Bainbridge;  1849-50,  McDonough;  1851-52, 
Brooklyn;  1853,  Berkshire;  1854,  sy. ;  1855,  Agent  of  Susque- 
hanna Seminary;  1856-57,  Beach  Pond;  1858-59,  Vestal;  1860-61, 
Springville;  1862-63,  Le  Raysville;  1864-66,  Osborne  Hollow; 
1867,  sy. ;  1868,  Agent  of  Bible  Society;  1869-70,  Skinner's  Eddy; 
1871,  Mehoopany;  1872-74,  Fairdale;  1875,  West  Nicholson; 
1876-84,  sd. 

BowDiSH,  Leonard,  was  born  in  New  Lisbon,  Otsego  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Bainbridge,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  May  23, 
1870,  aged  fifty-eight  years. 

He  was  converted  at  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  at  once  mani- 
fested gifts  which  were  prophetic  of  his  lifework.  In  1833,  being 
at  that  time  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  united  with  the  Oneida 
Conference  on  trial.  In  1866,  because  of  impaired  health,  he  took 
a  supernumerary  relation,  and  went  to  the  seashore,  hoping  to 
prolong  life  and  usefulness.  He  supplied  some  two  and  a  half 
years  in  the  Providence  Conference,  when  his  health  was  so 
broken  as  to  compel  him  to  quit  work.  When  the  Oneida  Confer- 
ence was  divided,  in  1869,  he  came  with  the  portion  which  was 
allotted  to  Wyoming  Conference  into  our  midst.  At  the  Confer- 
II 


Wyoming  Conference 


ence  of  1869  he  superannuated,  and  remained  so  until  death. 
After  reHnquishing  his  work  in  the  Providence  Conference  he 
visited  friends  on  old  charges,  and  then  went  to  Ohio  to  visit  a 
widowed  sister.  The  advance  of  his  disease  caused  him  to  hasten 
back  to  his  kindred  that  he  might  die  among  them.  Consumptio;i 
soon  did  its  work,  as  he  died  shortly  after  his  return.  He  was  a 
man  of  superior  mental  ability,  ''remarkable  for  the  elegance  of 
his  style,  and  the  fitness  of  his  words."  His  ministry  was  emi- 
nently a  soul-saving  one. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1833,  Hamilton;  1834, 
Sharon;  1835,  Norwich;  1836,  Cherry  Valley;  1837,  Stockbridge; 
1838,  Hampton;  1839,  Andover;  1840-41,  Springfield;  1842,  East 
Solon;  1843,  Cincinnatus;  1844,  Hamilton;  1845,  Tully;  1846-47, 
Lenox;  1848-49,  Fayetteville ;  1850-51,  Morrisville;  1852,  New 
Berlin;  1853,  Sherburne;  1854-55,  Clinton;  1856-57,  Fort  Plain; 
1858-59,  Laurens;  1860-61,  Unadilla;  1862-63,  Afton;  1864-65, 
Coventry;  1866-68,  sy. ;  1869-70,  sd. 

Bridgeman,  Peter  G.,  was  born  in  Bainbridge,  Chenango 
County,  N.  Y.,  March  25,  1804,  and  died  in  Cortland,  Cortland 
County,  N.  Y.,  July  24,  1872. 

At  about  eighteen  years  of  age  he  be- 
came a  Christian,  and  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  soon  after. 
In  April,  1826,  he  was  given  exhorter's 
license,  received  local  preacher's  license 
two  years  later,  and  in  1832  was  ordained 
local  deacon  by  Bishop  Hedding.  From 
the  time  of  receiving  local  preacher's 
license  until  he  joined  the  Oneida  Con- 
ference on  trial,  in  1836,  he  served  as  sup- 
ply preacher  under  the  presiding  elder. 
He  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference at  the  time  of  its  organization. 
.  In  1843  ^  shock  of  paralysis  laid  him 
PETER  G.  BRIDGEMAN     ^sidc.    Hc,  howcvcr,  rccovcrcd  so  as  to 
take  active  work  again  in  1856. 
His  appointments  were  as  follows:    1836,  Otselic;  1837,  Cort- 
land; 1838,  East  Hamilton;  1839,  McGrawville  and  Freetown; 
1840,  Scipioville;  1841,  Amber;  1842-43,  Lanesboro;  1844-54, 
sd. ;  1855,  sy. ;  1856,  Maine;  1857,  Union;  1858,  Harpursville ; 
1859,  Maine;  i860,  Shepard's  Creek;  1861,  Lackawaxen;  1862-63,  - 
Litchfield;  1864-72,  sd. 


Deceased  Preachers 


163 


BuRRALL,  Joseph  T.,  was  born  in  Devoran,  Cornwall,  Eng- 
land, on  March  21,  1849,  ^^^^  Scranton,  Pa.,  on  August 
22,  1887,  after  a  long  and  brave  struggle  against  consumption. 

He  came  to  America  about  1870,  and  was  joined  shortly  after 
by  the  lady  who  became  his  wife,  and  who  with  four  children 
survives  him. 

He  sought  the  kingdom  of  God  when  about  eighteen  years  of 
age.  When  he  became  convinced  that  God  was  calling  him  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  he  abandoned  his  trade,  that  of  machin- 
ist, and  entered  Wyoming  Seminary  to  fit  himself  for  his 
Master's  service.  His  brief  ministry  was  successful  in  the  build- 
ing up  of  the  Church  and  the  salvation  of  souls. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1873,  and  served  the  fol- 
lowing charges  as  stated:  1873,  Lehman;  1874,  Mountain  Top; 
1875-76,  Union,  Pa.;  1877-79,  Oregon;  1880-81,  Bethany;  1882, 
sy.;  1883,  Tioga;  1884-87,  sd. 

Burnside,  William,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Maryland, 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  on  December  20,  1817,  and  died  of  heart 
failure  at  Sidney,  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  on  May  25,  1893. 

He  was  the  subject  of  religious  im- 
pressions early  in  life.  Under  the  preach- 
ing of  Rev.  Daniel  Fancher  he  was  awak- 
ened, but  failed  to  find  peace.  His  mind 
being  imbued  with  Calvinism  caused  him 
to  attribute  the  failure  to  his  being  among 
the  reprobate.  Three  years  of  despair 
ensued.  When  nineteen  years  of  age 
Revs.  A.  E.  Daniels  and  John  Crawford 
preached  near  his  home.  He  was  again 
awakened,  and  after  several  days  of  in- 
tense struggling  found  peace  in  Christ. 
The  witness  of  the  Spirit  came  to  him  on 
the  evening  of  January  4,  1837.  He  at 
once  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  preach.  This  william  burnside 
he  resisted  for  some  time. 

He  united  with  Oneida  Conference  in  1842,  and  became  a 
member  of  Wyoming  Conference  by  the  accession  of  Oneida 
territory  in  1869. 

On  August  I,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Hannah  B.  Palmer,  of 
Maryland,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  She  survived  him  until  July 
15,  1900,  when  she  passed  away  at  Oneida,  N.  Y.  Husband  and 
wife  are  buried  at  Sidney,  N.  Y. 


164 


Wyoming  Conference 


Two  sons  are  living  at  this  writing,  L.  H.,  of  Walton,  N.  Y., 
and  C.  W.,  of  Sidney,  N.  Y. 

It  has  been  said,  and  we  think  with  reason,  that  he  was  the 
means  of  bringing  more  souls  to  Christ  than  any  other  minister 
in  the  sections  where  he  labored. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1842,  New  Berlin;  1843, 
Butternuts;  1844-45,  Richmondville ;  1846,  Otsego;  1847,  Ve- 
rona; 1848-49,  Butternuts;  1850-51,  Otego;  1852,  Edmeston; 
1853-54,  Decatur;  1855,  Middlefield;  1856-57,  Frey's  Bush; 
1858-59,  Edmeston;  1860-61,  New  Berlin;  1862-63,  South  New 
Berlin;  1864-65,  Smyrna;  1866-67,  Guilford;  1868-70,  Greene; 
1871-72,  Willett;  1873,  New  Berlin;  1874,  Butternuts;  1875-77, 
McDonough;  1878-79,  Coventry;  1880-81,  Wells  Bridge;  1882- 
93,  sd. 

Brownscombe,  Henry,  was  born  in  Bridgrule,  Cornwall 
County,  England,  August  18,  1817,  and  died  in  his  home  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  on  April  30,  1886,  very  suddenly,  almost  with- 
out a  moment's  warning. 

His  parents  came  to  this  country  in 
1830  and  settled  in  Bethany,  Wayne 
County,  Pa.  He  was  converted  in  a 
memorable  revival  which  occurred  in 
Honesdale  in  1835.  He  joined  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  and  was  shortly 
afterward  licensed  to  exhort.  In  the 
spring  of  1841  he  was  given  local  preach- 
er's license,  and  in  September  of  the  same 
year  he  joined  Oneida  Conference  on 
trial.  ''Beginning  his  work  in  the  early 
years  of  life,  when  the  opportunities  for  a 
thorough  classical  training  were  not  what 
HENRY  BROWNSCOMBE  ^hcy  are  to-day,  he  sought  to  make  the 
most  of  every  facility  offered  him,  and  at 
once  began  a  thorough  course  of  study  in  theology  and  general 
literature,  by  which  he  attained  an  honorable  position  among  the 
readers  and  thinkers  in  the  school  of  Christian  thought."  He 
accumulated  a  large  and  well-selected  library,  which  he  left  to 
Wyoming  Seminary. 

He  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organiza- 
tion. He  was  honored  by  his  brethren,  being  elected  a  trustee  of 
the  Conference  in  1858,  which  position  he  held  until  his  death, 
and  in  1864  elected  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conference. 


Deceased  Preachers 


In  1843  he  married  Miss  Sarah  E.  Overfield,  who  was  raised 
near  Meshoppen,  Pa.  Three  children  were  born  to  them,  John  P., 
Henry  W.,  and  Kate  D.,  all  of  whom  died  in  the  full  vigor  of 
matured  life.  She  survived  her  husband  until  June  21,  1902, 
when  she  joined  her  loved  ones  above.  She  was  buried  beside  her 
husband  in  the  Hollenback  Cemetery,  in  the  city  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1841,  Springville;  1842, 
Skinner's  Eddy;  1843,  Brooklyn;  1844-45,  Dundaff ;  1846,  Ves- 
tal; 1847-48,  Bethany  and  Mount  Pleasant;  1849-50,  Tunkhan- 
nock;  1851-52,  Providence;  1853,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1854,  Carbon- 
dale;  1855-56,  Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1857-58,  New 
Troy;  1859-60,  Abington;  1861-62,  Providence;  1863-66,  Presid- 
ing Elder  of  Wyalusing  District;  1867-68,  Franklin  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre;  1869-72,  sy. ;  1873-75,  Parrish  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre;  1876-79,  Parsons;  1880-82,  Plains  and  North  Plains; 
1883-85,  Parrish  Street,  Wilkes-Barre;  1886,  Financial  Agent  of 
the  Centennial  Fund. 

Brooks,  Asa,  was  born  in  Batavia,  N.  Y.,  on  October  i,  1819, 
and  died  at  his  home  in  Candor,  N.  Y.,  on  May  20,  1897,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Maple  Grove  Cemetery  in  Candor. 

He  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Bethuel 
Brooks,  a  local  preacher  who  lived  most 
of  his  life  in  Lisle  township,  Chenango 
County,  N.  Y.,  but  for  a  few  years  in 
Batavia.  He  was  ordained  elder  and 
served  the  Church  as  a  local  preacher 
with  great  acceptability.  Asa  had  two 
brothers,  John  and  Wesley,  who  were 
local  preachers. 

He  could  not  remember  when  he  had 
not  religious  impressions,  and  at  fifteen 
years  of  age,  at  a  camp  meeting  held 
near  Union  Center,  he  surrendered  him- 
self to  Christ.  He  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Newark 
Valley,  and  at  once  became  an  active 
worker.  He  received  exhorter's  license  in  1840,  and  local  preach- 
er's license  in  1842.  In  the  same  year  he  joined  the  Oneida  Con- 
ference, becoming  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  at  its 
organization. 

In  the  fifties,  when  spiritualism  was  spreading  over  the  country, 


i66 


Wyoming  Conference 


he  found  that  some  of  his  parishioners  in  Candor  were  being  led 
away  with  the  delusion.  He  accordingly  preached  a  series  of 
sermons  against  the  false  doctrines  of  the  new  cult.  These  were 
so  favorably  received  that  a  demand  was  made  for  them  in 
permanent  form.  He  accordingly  recast  them  and  put  them 
into  a  i6mo  book  of  164  pages  called  Spiritualism  Examined 
and  Refuted.  It  is  a  vigorous  refutation  of  the  claims  of 
spiritualism. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  first  marriage  was  to  Miss  Eliza 
M.  Chamberlain,  daughter  of  Deacon  Samuel  Chamberlain,  of 
Great  Bend,  Pa.,  on  July  22,  1845.  Two  daughters  were  born  to 
them.  She  died  in  1849,  while  Mr.  Brooks  was  serving  the  Pitts- 
ton  charge.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Miss  Permelia  Griffing, 
daughter  of  Rev.  John  Griffing,  on  July  9,  1850.  Eight  children 
were  born  to  them,  three  sons  and  five  daughters.  All  but  two  are 
now  living. 

Something  further  ought  to  be  written  concerning  Rev.  John 
Griffing.  He  lived  the  greater  part  of  his  life  about  two  miles 
west  of  Owego.  This  was  to  care  for  his  family,  which  was  of 
goodly  proportions,  there  being  twelve  children  in  the  family. 
He  served  large  and  extensive  circuits,  making  periodic  visits  to 
his  home.  Mrs.  Brooks  was  the  eleventh  child.  The  oldest 
daughter  of  the  family,  Clarissa,  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  C.  W. 
Giddings,  of  the  Oneida  Conference.  One  of  the  sons  graduated 
from  Wesleyan  University,  preaching  his  way  through,  and  after- 
ward became  a  member  of  Indiana  Conference.  Mr.  Griffing's 
ministry  from  18 14  to  1836  was  largely  confined  to  the  territory 
which  lies  between  Binghamton  and  Barton. 

In  1885,  the  infirmities  of  age  prompted  Brother  Brooks  to  ask 
for  a  superannuate  relation  to  the  Conference.  After  three  years' 
residence  in  Binghamton  he  moved  to  Candor,  where  he  spent 
the  balance  of  his  earthly  life. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1842,  Spencer;  1843-44, 
Windsor;  1845-46,  Brooklyn;  1847,  Montrose;  1848,  Dundaff ; 
1849,  Pittston;  1850,  Hawley;  1851-52,  Berkshire;  1853-54, 
Candor;  1855-56,  North  Danby;  1857-58,  Ross  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre;  1859,  Wyoming;  i860,  Wyoming  and  Kingston;  1861-62, 
Abington;  1863-64,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1865,  Little  Meadows; 
1866-68,  Nichols;  1869-70,  Little  Meadows;  1871,  sy. ;  supplied 
New  Milford  seven  months;  1872,  New  Milford;  1873-74,  Mara- 
thon; 1875-76,  Maine;  1877-78,  Hawleyton;  1879,  Union  Center; 
1880,  Chenango  Street,  Binghamton;  1881-83,  Vestal;  1884,  Os- 
borne Hollow;  1885-97,  sd. 


Deceased  Preachers 


167 


Cargill,  James  Harvey,  was  born  in  Jackson,  Susquehanna 
County,  Pa.,  in  April,  1829.  He  was  converted  at^  the  age  of 
eleven,  and  led  such  a  life  as  was  most  attractive  during  his 
youth  and  young  manhood.  At  about  nineteen  years  of  age  he 
began  to  evince  gifts  which  unmistakably  pointed  to  his  lifework. 
After  graduating  from  Wyoming  Seminary  he  offered  himself 
and  was  received  on  trial  in  our  Conference  in  1852,  receiving 
deacon's  orders  in  1854. 

His  fields  of  labor  were  as  follows,  being  junior  preacher  on 
each  charge:  1852,  Providence;  1853,  Susquehanna  and  Lanes- 
boro;  J854,  Montrose.  "Invited  to  pass  the  4th  of  July  with  his 
friends  at  Susquehanna,  and  to  take  part  in  a  Sabbath  school 
celebration  there,  he  was  hastening  through  the  principal  street 
of  the  village,  wholly  unconscious  of  danger,  when  he  fell  a 
victim  to  the  reckless  discharge  of  a  cannon,"  dying  about  two 
hours  afterward,  shouting,  "Glory  to  the  Lamb!"  He  was 
buried  in  the  town  of  his  birth. 

Carrier,  David  R.,  was  born  in  Columbus,  Chenango  County, 
N.  Y.,  on  November  28,  1823,  and  died  from  cerebral  hemorrhage 
in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  on  August  29,  1895.  His  body  was  laid 
to  rest  in  Mount  Hope  Cemetery,  in  Norwich,  N.  Y. 

At  eighteen  years  of  age  he  graduated  from  Cazenovia  Semi- 
nary, and  two  years  later  from  Union  College.  He  spent  some 
time  teaching  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  had  charge  oiF  the  first 
high  school  in  that  Territory.  He  was  professor  of  languages  in 
Wyoming  Seminary  for  several  years,  and  subsequently  acted  as 
agent  for  Troy  University.  During  the  years  in  which  he  was 
engaged  in  school  work  he  was  a  regularly  licensed  preacher. 
He  entered  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1857,  became  a  mem- 
ber of  this  Conference  by  the  accession  of  territory. 

In  1854  he  married  Miss  Catharine  McChesney,  of  Troy,  N.  Y., 
who  survives  him,  as  do  the  three  children  which  were  born  to 
them,  J.  Wilbur,  Florence,  and  Russell. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1857,  Camillus;  1858-59, 
Newfield;  i860,  Fleming;  1861-62,  Aurora;  1863,  Ludlowville 
and  North  Lansing;  1864-65,  Port  Byron;  1866-67,  Homer; 
1868,  Middlefield;  1869-70,  sy. ;  1871-72,  South  New  Berlin; 
1873,  Guilford;  1874-95,  sd. 

Chubbuck,  Francis  Steel,  was  born  in  Tolland,  Conn.,  on 
November  12,  1812,  and  died  in  Nichols,  Tioga  County,  N.  Y., 


Wyoming  Conference 


on  May  13,  1890.    He  was  the  youngest  and  last  of  a  family  of 

twelve  children. 

In  1817  the  family  moved  to  Orwell, 
Pa.,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
converted  and  received  into  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  in  1829. 

He  joined  the  Oneida  Conference  in 
1849,  3-nd  became  a  member  of  Wyoming 
Conference  at  its  organization. 

In  his  ministerial  life  he  served  many 
circuits,  some  of  which  necessitated  three 
hundred  miles'  travel  to  make  one  round 
of  visitation,  and  having  about  thirty  ap- 
pointments.   It  is  claimed  that  his  salary 
averaged  but  three  hundred  dollars  per 
FRANCIS  s.  CHUBBUCK     Y^ar  duriug  his  whole  ministry.   He  was 
evangelistic,   indeed.     During  his  two 
pastorates  on  Northmoreland  Circuit  about  seven  hundred  souls 
were  led  to  Christ. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Shoemaker,  of  Nichols,  N.  Y.,  who  survived  him.  He  was 
buried  at  Nichols,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1849,  Brownton;  1850, 
Northmoreland;  1851-52,  Mehoopany;  1853,  Northmoreland; 
1854,  Springville;  1855,  Tunkhannock;  1856,  Le  Raysville;  1857- 
58,  Van  Ettenville;  1859,  Candor;  1860-61,  Caroline;  1862-63, 
Barton;  1864-65,  Litchfield;  1866-90,  sd. 

Clarke,  Horatio  R.,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Candor,  N.  Y.,  on  Au- 
gust 23,  1813,  and  died  in  his  home  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  on 
November  4,  1898. 

He  was  educated  in  Newark  Valley  and  Owego,  and  his  stu- 
dious habits  followed  him  through  life. 

Holding  many  responsible  positions,  he  won  the  confidence  and 
love  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the 
General  Conference  in  1856,  1864,  and  1868,  and  a  reserve  in 
i860. 

Genesee  College  conferred  the  degree  of  D.D.  upon  him  in  1863. 

On  July  3,  1841,  he  married  Miss  Margarette  G.  Gary,  daughter 
of  Rev.  George  Gary,  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  old  Oneida  Con- 
ference. She  passed  to  her  reward  on  November  5,  1887. 
Husband  and  wife  lie  side  by  side  in  Forest  Hill  Cemetery,  in 
Binghamton,  N.  Y. 


Deceased  Preachers 


169 


He  joined  Oneida  Conference  in  1844, 
and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference at  its  organization.  After  super- 
annuation he  spent  the  sunset  of  Hfe  in 
Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1844, 
Professor  in  Cazenovia  Seminary;  1845- 
46,  Madison;  1847-48,  Bleecker  Street, 
Utica;  1849,  Kingston;  1850-51,  Car- 
bondale;  1852,  Court  Street,  Bingham- 
ton; 1853,  Agent  of  Susquehanna  Sem- 
inary; 1854,  Susquehanna;  1855-56, 
Great  Bend  and  New  Milford;  1857, 
Court  Street,  Binghamton;  1858-59, 
Honesdale ;  i860.  Union ;  1861,  Professor  horatio  r.  clarkb 
in  Susquehanna  Seminary ;  1862-63,  Wav- 

erly,  N.  Y. ;  1864-66,  Presiding  Elder  on  Wyoming  District ;  1867- 
70,  Presiding  Elder  on  Owego  District ;  1871,  Tunkhannock ;  1872- 
75,  Presiding  Elder  on  Binghamton  District;  1876-79,  Presiding 
Elder  on  Otsego  District;  1880,  Chenango  Forks;  1881-98,  sd. 

Cobb,  William  Newell,  was  born  on  July  15,  1818,  in  Mc- 
Lean, Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  and  died  on  August  3,  1878,  in 
Harford,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  from  enlargement  of  the  liver. 

In  infancy  his  family  moved  into  the 
town  of  Dryden,  N.  Y.  He  secured 
what  education  he  could  in  the  village 
school  of  Varna.  A  decided  taste  for 
schooling  being  noticeable,  his  parents 
sent  him  to  the  Ithaca  Academy.  While 
here  he  was  boarded  by  Ezra  Cornell, 
"whose  name  and  generosity  are  iden- 
tified with  the  university  since  founded 
in  that  place."  Such  was  his  proficiency 
in  school  work  that  he  was  at  once  em- 
ployed as  a  teacher  in  Ithaca.  His  love 
for  mathematics  and  skill  in  the  same 
were  such  that  at  eighteen  years  of  age 
WILLIAM  NEWELL  COBB  ^c  was  a  compctcnt  civil  engineer.  He 
was  employed  some  half  dozen  years  as 
civil  engineer  on  the  Genesee  Valley  canals. 

The  exact  date  of  his  commencing  a  religious  life  is  not  known, 
but  that  he  was  a  class  leader  in  1840  is  known,  which  settles  the 


170 


Wyoming  Conference 


fact  that  certain  experiences  were  prior  to  this.  He  was  soon  after 
given  a  license  as  local  preacher,  and  in  1842  joined  the  Genesee 
Conference.  The  death  of  his  father  demanded  his  attention  to 
home  interests.  He  accordingly  secured  a  transfer  to  Oneida 
Conference  in  1843.  He  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  by  the 
accession  of  Oneida  territory  in  1869. 

He  was  loved  by  all  who  knew  him  and  honored  by  his  brethren. 
He  was  on  the  Oneida  delegation  to  General  Conference  in  1868, 
and  was  made  secretary  of  Wyoming  Conference  in  1875.  He 
also  served  Oneida  several  years  in  the  same  capacity. 

In  1844  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Goss.  Three  children 
came  to  bless  their  home,  a  son  and  two  daughters. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1842,  Genesee  Conference, 
Belfast;  1843,  Oneida  Conference,  Cayuga;  1844,  Mentz;  1845, 
Dryden;  1846-47,  Groton;  1848-49,  Homer;  1850-51,  Skaneateles; 
1852-53,  Asbury;  1854-55,  Newfield;  1856-57,  Ledyard;  1858, 
Seneca  Street,  Ithaca;  1859-60,  Vernon;  1861-62,  Clinton;  1863- 
64,  Wall  Street,  Auburn;  1865-68,  Presiding  Elder  of  Che- 
nango District;  1869-72,  Presiding  Elder  of  Otsego  District; 
1873-74,  Union;  1875-77,  Athens  and  Sayre;  1878,  Gibson  and 
Harford. 


CoLEGROVE,  Andrew  Matteson,  was  born  on  January  6,  1839, 
in  the  town  of  Edmeston,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  His  father  was 
a  farmer,  who  embraced  religion  when  young,  and  early  thought 

he  ought  to  preach  the  Gospel.  Shrink- 
ing from  that  duty,  he  became  indiffer- 
ent. In  the  fall  of  1852  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  converted  in  a  series  of 
meetings  held  in  what  was  then  known 
as  the  West  schoolhouse.  The  meetings 
were  conducted  by  Rev.  William  Burn- 
side.  In  the  same  meeting  two  of  his 
sisters  were  converted,  and  the  father 
brought  into  active  religious  life.  The 
father,  son,  two  daughters,  and  the  wife, 
who  had  been  a  Baptist  since  thirteen 
years  of  age,  joined  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  the  father  becoming  a 
local  preacher  soon  afterward. 

He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  had  a  few  terms  in  a  select  school.  About  1854  his 
pastor,  Austin  Southworth,  gave  him  an  exhorter's  license,  which 


ANDREW  M.  COLEGROVE 


Deceased  Preachers 


171 


he  threw  in  the  fire,  under  the  temptation  that  he  could  not  meet 
the  expectations  of  the  Church.  This  resulted  in  spiritual  dark- 
ness for  a  couple  of  years  or  more.  In  i860  he  welcomed  an 
exhorter's  license,  and  about  1863  he  received  a  local  preacher's 
license.  He  served  Morris  six  months,  Preston  two  years,  and 
Sidney  one  year  as  supply,  and  joined  Oneida  Conference  in 
1867,  receiving  deacon's  orders  at  the  same  session  of  Conference. 
He  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  with  the  accession  of  Oneida 
territory. 

On  January  i,  1862,  he  married  Miss  Eveline  Boardman,  of 
New  Berlin,  N.  Y.,  who  bore  him  four  children. 

Ill  health  caused  him  twice  to  take  a  supernumerary  relation 
for  rest  and  recuperation. 

After  superannuation,  in  1902,  he  settled  in  Sidney,  N.  Y.,  in 
a  cozy  home,  looking  for  several  years  of  retired  quiet. 

On  May  24,  1902,  shortly  after  moving  into  the  new  home, 
he  passed  away,  and  was  buried  in  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery,  in 
Sidney. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1867,  Sidney;  1868-69, 
Smyrna;  1870-71,  Butternuts;  1872-73,  Schenevus;  1874-76, 
Windsor;  1877-78,  Guilford;  1879,  Chenango;  1880-81,  Plym- 
outh, N.  Y.;  1882-83,  sy.;  1884,  South  New  Berlin;  1885-89, 
sy. ;  1890-93,  Harpursville ;  1894-96,  Fly  Creek;  1897-99,  Wells 
Bridge;  1900-01,  McDonough;  1902,  sd. 

CoPELAND,  David,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Braintree,  Vt.,  December 
21,  1832,  and  died  in  Royalton,  Vt.,  December  6,  1882,  where  his 
body  was  laid  away  awaiting  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 

He  was  educated  at  the  Vermont  Conference  Seminary  and 
Wesleyan  University,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1855. 

"In  the  year  of  his  graduation  he  was  appointed  principal  of 
the  Monroe  Academy,  at  Henrietta,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1856  he  ac- 
cepted the  position  of  teacher  of  natural  sciences  and  mathematics 
in  Falley  Seminary,  at  Fulton,  N.  Y.  He  joined  the  Genesee 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1858,  and  was 
the  same  year  appointed  principal  of  the  Springville  Academy 
[now  Griffith  Institute],  at  Springville,  N.  Y.  In  1865  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Cincinnati  Conference,  and  was  appointed 
president  of  the  Hillsboro  Female  College,  at  Hillsboro,  O.  In 
1872  he  was  elected  principal  of  Wyoming  Seminary,  in  the  place 
of  Dr.  Nelson,  resigned,  and  the  following  year  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Wyoming  Conference.  The  position  of  principal  of 
the  seminary  he  held  until  some  two  weeks  before  his  death.  Dr. 


172 


Wyoming  Conference 


Copeland  was  a  natural  educator.  After  his  graduation  from 
college  he  was  so  frail,  physically,  that  he  hesitated  for  some  time 
to  attempt  anything  so  far  as  a  lifework  was  concerned.  Indeed, 
he  believed  that  he  would  live  but  a  short  time.  His  principal- 
ship  of  Monroe  Academy,  however,  brought  to  light  his  rare 
qualities  as  a  teacher,  and,  although  constantly  struggling  with 
physical  debility,  his  advancement  to  still  more  responsible  posi- 
tions in  the  educational  field  was  rapid  and  substantial.  To  each 
new  field  of  labor  he  brought  careful  scholarship,  wise  discipline, 
and  great  method  in  the  administration  of  its  duties."  His  work 
in  connection  with  Wyoming  Seminary  is  always  spoken  of  in 
highest  terms  of  commendation. 

In  1875  Lafayette  College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of 
Ph.D.,  and  in  1877  Syracuse  and  Wesleyan  Universities  each 
honored  him  with  the  degree  of  D.D.  In  1880  he  was  elected  a 
delegate  to  General  Conference. 

In  February,  1882,  he  suffered  from  an  attack  of  pneumonia. 
After  rallying  from  this  he  spent  two  months  at  Clifton  Springs, 
where  he  received  considerable  benefit.  In  the  fall  he  assumed 
control  of  the  school  again.  It  soon  became  evident,  however, 
that  the  end  was  near.  He  resigned  his  position,  and  on  a  bright 
day  he  left  the  scenes  of  ten  years  of  successful  toil  and  repaired 
to  the  scenes  of  his  childhood,  at  Royalton,  Vt.,  where  he  passed 
away. 

Cramp,  Stephen  T.,  was  born  in  Sandhurst,  Kent  County, 
England,  May  21,  1842,  and  died  January  19,  1870. 

He  gave  himself  to  Christ  in  April,  1859,  immediately 
joined  the  Methodist  Church,  and  in  the 
following  December  preached  his  first 
sermon.  He  came  to  America  in  1864, 
and  in  1865  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence, passing  his  studies,  and  received 
his  orders  in  due  time. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows: 
1865,  Lackawaxen;  1866-67,  Oregon; 
1868,  Cherry  Ridge.  In  1869  he  became 
agent  of  the  Wayne  County  Bible  So- 
ciety. He  did  not  live  long,  however,  to 
prosecute  its  work. 

He  left  a  wife  to  mourn  his  loss. 
His  body  lies  in  the  cemetery  at  Cherry 

STEPHEN  T.  CRAMP  RidgC. 


Deceased  Preachers 


173 


Crowell,  Jesse  T.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Villenova,  Chau- 
tauqua County,  N.  Y.,  April  2,  1839.  His  conversion  occurred  in 
boyhood,  and  about  the  same  time  cataracts  shut  off  his  view  of 
the  world.  "For  seven  years  he  was  un- 
able to  read  or  write."  Having  a  fine 
memory,  he  acquired  knowledge  rapidly 
by  listening  to  conversation,  sermons, 
and  lectures.  For  several  years  during 
this  period  of  blindness  he  lived  in 
Mount  Pleasant,  la.,  where  he  availed 
himself  of  the  privilege  of  attending 
lectures  and  recitations  in  Iowa  Wes- 
leyan  University,  situated  in  the  town, 
which  greatly  improved  his  tastes  and  in- 
tellectual processes. 

A  surgical  operation  on  one  of  his  eyes 
so  far  restored  vision  as  to  enable  him, 
with  the  aid  of  a  strong  magnifying      jesse  t.  crowell 
glass,  to  read  with  considerable  ease. 

He  read  and  thoroughly  studied  quite  a  number  of  theo- 
logical and  scientific  works.  By  heroism  he  became  an  able 
preacher. 

Being  unable  to  find  his  way  across  the  prairies,  he  came  East, 
thinking  he  might  find  work  where  streets  and  highways  are  so 
clearly  marked  that  he  could  easily  prosecute  his  work.  Upon  the 
suggestion  of  his  uncle.  Dr.  George  Peck,  he  spent  a  year  in 
Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  prosecuted  more  than  the  usual 
amount  of  study,  and  took  highest  rank  in  his  classes.  During 
this  year  he  preached  every  Sunday  on  the  Lackawanna  charge, 
performing  one  half  the  pulpit  labor  of  the  charge.  In  1862  he 
joined  Wyoming  Conference  on  trial,  passed  in  his  studies,  and 
received  deacon's  and  elder's  orders  in  due  time. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1862-63,  Moscow;  1864-65, 
South  Canaan;  1866-67,  Dunmore;  1868,  Harford  and  South 
Gibson. 

Pulmonary  disease,  which  prompted  him  to  seek  a  charge 
which  would  give  him  abundant  outdoor  work,  steadily  pro- 
gressed, and  on  February  18,  1869,  he  suddenly  passed  away, 
leaving  a  wife  and  two  children.  "Never  was  there  a  more 
decided  specimen  of  the  pursuit  of  knowledge  under  difficulties, 
and  of  marked  success  in  the  prosecution  of  the  studies  which 
are  necessary  to  qualify  a  man  to  serve  the  Church  and  his 
generation." 


174 


Wyoming  Conference 


Coryell,  Vincent  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Tioga,  Tioga 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  June,  1800,  and  died  in  Waverly,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  had  resided  since  his  superannuation,  on  November  5,  1889. 

He  was  a  dihgent  student,  and  early  in 
his  teens  was  well  advanced  in  Greek 
and  Latin.  At  twenty-three  years  of 
age  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  en- 
tered upon  its  practice  in  Bath,  N.  Y. 

The  death  of  his  wife,  who  was  a  de- 
voted Christian,  led  to  his  conversion. 
Soon  after  his  conversion  came  the  call 
to  the  ministry.  Seeing  that  it  involved 
his  eternal  welfare,  he  finally  sur- 
rendered. 

He  was  licensed  to  exhort  by  Rev.  John 
Griffing  in  1825,  and  soon  after  received 
local  preacher's  license  and  began  work 
VINCENT  M.  CORYELL  Tioga  Circuit.   In  1828  he  joined  the 

old  Genesee  Conference,  and  when  the 
Oneida  Conference  was  organized  in  1829  he  became  a  member 
of  that  body.  When,  in  1852,  the  Wyoming  Conference  was 
formed  from  Oneida  Conference  territory  he  became  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference. 

During  his  ministry  some  three  thousand  souls  were  brought 
to  Christ;  from  among  them  twelve  entered  the  Christian  minis- 
try, one  of  whom  was  Rev.  William  Reddy,  D.D.,  who  was 
among  the  early  trophies  of  his  work,  and  who  was  present  at 
his  funeral  and  preached  the  sermon. 

His  remains  were  buried  in  the  cemetery  adjoining  the  old 
Asbury  Church,  on  Nichols  charge. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1828,  Canaan;  1829,  Bridge- 
water;  1830,  Wyoming;  1831,  Scipio;  1832,  Marcellus;  1833, 
Watertown;  1834-35,  Syracuse;  1836,  Rome,  N.  Y. ;  1837, 
Cazenovia;  1838-39,  Skaneateles;  1840,  Cooperstown;  1841-42, 
Norwich;  1843-46,  Presiding  Elder  on  Owego  District;  1847-48, 
Candor;  1849-50,  Barton;  1851,  Orwell;  1852-55,  sy. ;  1856- 
89,  sd. 

Daniels,  Alexander  E.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Morris, 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  on  May  12,  1804,  and  died  in  the  same 
town  on  September  30,  1893. 

His  educational  advantages  were  such  as  the  district  school 
afforded,  and  this  he  had  but  a  portion  of  the  time  for  eight  or 


Deceased  Preachers 


175 


nine  years.  Seriously  handicapped  as  he  was,  such  were  his 
keenness  of  intellect  and  his  determination  to  comprehend,  he 
became  an  unconquerable  and  uncompromising  champion  of  the 
doctrines  of  our  Church,  truly  an  intellectual  knight.  Some  of  his 
debates  still  linger  in  the  memories  of  many  as  seasons  of  great 
interest,  and  times  in  which  error  was  defeated.  He  closed  one 
debate  with  an  uncommon  visitation  of  grace,  over  two  hundred 
being  converted. 

In  July,  1824,  he  was  converted.  He  subsequently  lapsed  into 
doubt  and  skepticism,  but  did  not  tarry  long  in  this  condition. 
During  his  whole  life  he  was  known  as  a  remarkable  man  in 
prayer. 

He  united  with  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1834,  becoming  a 
member  of  Wyoming  Conference  with  its  accession  of  Oneida 
territory  in  1869. 

After  his  superannuation  in  1868  he  retired  to  his  home  in 
Morris,  where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  remarkably  long  life. 
He  was  buried  in  Morris,  N.  Y. 

We  have  no  definite  information  concerning  his  marriages, 
though  we  understand  he  was  thrice  married. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1834,  Otego;  1835,  Che- 
nango; 1836-37,  Westford;  1838-39,  Sharon;  1840-41,  Decatur; 
1842,  Westford;  1843-44,  Otego;  1845-46,  Exeter;  1847-48, 
Frey's  Bush;  1849-50,  Springfield;  1851-52,  Middlefield;  1853-54, 
sd.;  1855-56,  Westford;  1857,  Decatur;  1858-59,  Otego;  i860, 
Schenevus;  1861,  Morris;  1862-65,  sd. ;  1866-67,  South  New 
Berlin ;  1868-93,  sd. 

Davies,  David,  was  born  in  Newtown,  Montgomery  County, 
Wales,  June  10,  1807,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1831. 

He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  his  native  land  when  but  sixteen 
years  of  age.  In  1833  he  joined  the  Oneida  Conference,  and  be- 
came a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  by  accession  of  territory 
in  1869.  In  1873  he  was  so  affected  by  blindness  as  to  disqualify 
him  for  effective  service.  He  therefore  superannuated  and  moved 
West,  where  he  had  two  sons  and  one  daughter  living.  He  died 
in  Janesville,  Wis.,  February  2,  1878. 

His  fields  of  labor  were  as  follows:  1833-34,  Hamilton;  1835- 
36,  Otsego;  1837,  Otego;  1838,  Westford;  1839,  Canajoharie; 
1840-41,  Brookfield;  1842-43,  Chenango;  1844-45,  Lanesboro; 
1846-47,  Windsor;  1848,  East  Solon;  1849,  North  Pitcher;  1850, 
Triangle  and  Whitney's  Point;  185 1,  Lisle  and  Triangle;  1852, 
Exeter;  1853,  Middlefield;  1854-55,  Mentz;  1856-57,  Ludlow- 


176 


Wyoming  Conference 


ville;  1858,  New  Hope;  1859-60,  Varna;  1861,  sd. ;  1862,  New 
Hope;  1863-64,  Scipio;  1865,  sd. ;  1866,  North  Lansing;  1867, 
Montezuma;  1868-69,  Triangle;  1870,  King's  Settlement;  1871- 
72,  Coventry;  1873-77,  sd. 

David,  Arthur  Day,  was  born  on  April  3,  1866,  at  Olyphant, 
Lackawanna  County,  Pa.  He  received  his  schooling  in  the  village 
school,  one  term  at  Keystone  Academy,  and  four  at  Wyoming 

Seminary,  graduating  therefrom  in  1888. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  painting  and  pa- 
per-hanging, and  worked  at  this  during 
his  vacations.  From  1888  to  1892  he 
canvassed  a  large  portion  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania  in  the  interests  of  prohibi- 
tion, under  the  direction  of  the  State 
committee  of  the  Prohibition  Party. 

On  June  6,  1893,  he  married  Miss 
Emma  L  Sanford,  of  Springville,  Pa., 
who  died  on  June  16,  1897,  leaving  two 
daughters  with  her  husband. 

He  was  converted  in  Factoryville  in 
1883.    The  Peckville  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence gave  him  his  local  preacher's  license. 
For  some  years  he  felt  called  to  the  min- 
istry, and,  after  much  struggling  against  convictions,  he  yielded 
to  the  call,  and  in  the  spring  of  1893  joined  Wyoming  Conference. 

After  an  illness  of  a  few  months  from  a  complication  of  dis- 
eases, pneumonia  set  in  and  resulted  in  his  death  on  March  i, 
1903.   He  was  buried  in  the  Peckville  Cemetery,  beside  his  wife. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1893-94,  West  Nanticoke; 
1895-96,  Moscow;  1897-1901,  Thompson;  1902,  Lehman. 

Dennison,  Edwin,  was  born  in  East  Haddam,  Middlesex 
County,  Conn.,  on  October  28,  1804,  and  died  at  Portlandville, 
N.  Y.,  on  May  8,  1889,  after  an  illness  of  five  days. 

In  infancy  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  the  town  of  Lyme, 
New  London  County,  Conn.  In  1821  he  was  converted  and 
joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  1821  the  family 
moved  to  Exeter,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1825  to  Mohawk, 
Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.  He  received  exhorter's  license  in  1825, 
and  local  preacher's  license  in  1829.  In  1833  he  was  appointed 
by  the  presiding  elder  to  fill  a  vacancy  on  the  Sharon  Circuit  for 
six  months.  He  joined  the  Oneida  Conference  the  same  year,  and 


ARTHUR  DAT  DAVID 


Deceased  Preachers 


177 


was  returned  to  Sharon  Circuit.  Wyoming  Conference  received 
him  with  Oneida  territory  in  1869. 

After  he  had  ceased  from  active  work  in  the  Conference  he 
acted  as  Bible  agent  for  several  years,  canvassing  fifteen  towns  in 
Otsego  County  and  parts  of  adjoining  counties. 

His  life  seemed  one  of  continuous  affliction.  In  1869  he  lost 
his  youngest  son,  in  1877  his  faithful  wife  was  taken  from  him, 
and  in  1879  "^^^  light  faded  out  of  his  eyes  like  the  going  down 
of  the  sun."  In  1870  he  moved  to  Portlandville,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
lived  the  balance  of  his  hfe,  occasionally  supplying  some  one's 
pulpit  and  in  some  instances  conducting  revival  services  in  out- 
lying districts.    He  was  buried  at  Portlandville. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1833,  Sharon;  1834,  Otego; 
1835,  Litchfield;  1836,  Winfield;  1837-38,  Canajoharie;  1839, 
Brookfield;  1840-41,  Plymouth  and  Smyrna;  1842-43,  Sharon; 
1844-45,  sd. ;  1846-47,  Decatur;  1848,  Otego;  1849-50,  Oneonta; 
1851,  Fly  Creek;  1852,  sd. ;  1853,  Worcester;  1854-89,  sd. 

De  Witt,  Noah  Shaw,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Chenango, 
Broome  County,  N.  Y.,  December  10,  1818,  and  died  in  Caroline, 
Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  on  June  2,  1886.  He  literally  died  in 
the  midst  of  his  labors.  For  him  there 
was  no  period  of  superannuation.  His 
death  was  almost  instantaneous.  On  his 
way  home  from  Apalachin  on  June  2, 
when  near  Candor,  he  said  to  the  person 
sitting  by  his  side  in  the  car,  "I  do  not 
feel  well."  In  a  few  moments  he  seemed 
better.  When  near  Caroline,  where  he 
was  to  leave  the  train,  he  suddenly  grew 
worse.  He  was  helped  into  the  depot  at 
Caroline,  and  expired  in  a  few  seconds. 
He  was  buried  in  Danby,  Tompkins 
County,  N.  Y. 

His  father  moved  to  Binghamton  when 
he  was  but  nine  years  of  age.  Here,  at 
sixteen  years  of  age,  he  was  converted 
under  the  labors  of  J.  S.  Mitchell,  and  at  once  joined  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  About  this  time  he  left  home  to  make 
his  way  in  the  world,  spending  about  three  years  to  learn  the 
baker's  trade.  He  spent  two  terms  at  Cazenovia,  and  intended  to 
graduate,  but  a  persistent  presiding  elder  crowded  him  into  the 
work,  which  was  growing  very  rapidly.  He  felt  the  loss  through 
12 


178  Wyoming  Conference 

life.  Greatly  to  his  credit,  he  had  taken  up  the  Chautauqua  course 
of  study,  and  was  within  a  few  months  of  graduation  at  the  time 
of  his  death. 

He  was  married  four  times.  On  July  15,  1847,  to  Miss  Harriet 
Peck,  who  died  on  September  27,  1849.  One  child,  a  boy,  was 
born  to  them,  who  lived  to  be  about  a  year  old.  On  June  15,  1850, 
he  married  Miss  Hannah  R.  Peck,  who  died  on  November  4,  i860. 
Four  daughters  were  born  to  them,  three  of  whom  are  living. 
On  April  6,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Eliza  A.  Peck,  who  died  on 
January  19,  1873.  A  daughter  was  born  to  them,  who  is  still 
living.  These  three  wives  were  sisters.  On  March  27,  1877,  he 
married  Miss  Eleanor  M.  Howard,  or  Candor,  N.  Y.,  who  sur- 
vived him. 

He  united  with  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1843,  became  a 
member  of  Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organization. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1843,  Montrose;  1844,  Le 
Raysville;  1845,  Brooklyn;  1846-47,  Orwell;  1848-49,  Lanesboro; 
1850-51,  Conklin;  1852-53,  Newark;  1854-55,  Nichols;  1856-57, 
Barton;  1858-59,  Union;  i860,  Hawley;  1861-62,  Bethany;  1863- 
64,  Mount  Pleasant;  1865-67,  Beach  Pond;  1868-70,  Lanesboro; 
1871-72,  Castle  Creek;  1873-75,  South  Danby;  1876-77,  Little 
Meadows;  1878-79,  Flemingville ;  1880-82,  North  Barton;  1883- 
85,  Rome ;  1886,  Danby. 


DoNY,  Francis  Asbury,  was  born  in  Dundaff,  Susquehanna 
County,  Pa.,  on  May  3,  1841,  and  died  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  after  a 
lingering  illness,  on  January  12,  1898. 

His  parents  moved  to  Honesdale  when 
he  was  very  young.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  but  seven  years  old.  Early 
in  life  he  began  a  life  of  prayer,  and  when 
he  reached  seventeen  he  made  a  thorough 
consecration  of  himself  to  God  at  the 
altar  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
Honesdale,  and  connected  himself  with 
that  church.  He  soon  afterward  com- 
menced studying  for  the  ministry,  when 
the  failing  health  of  his  mother  caused 
him  to  turn  his  attention  in  other  direc- 
tions. 

After  graduating  from  Wyoming 
Seminary  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  a 
journalist.    For  several  years  he  pub- 


FRANCIS  ASBURY  DONY 


Deceased  Preachers 


179 


lished  a  paper  in  Hawley,  Pa.,  called  the  Hawley  Times.  While 
engaged  iij  publishing  this  paper  he  studied  law  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  Honesdale  in  1869.  Soon  after  being  admitted  to 
the  bar  he  moved  to  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa.,  and  opened  an  office  for 
the  practice  of  law. 

While  living  in  Mauch  Chunk  he  identified  himself  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  given  a  local  preacher's 
license  by  the  church  in  that  place.  In  1873  he  was  employed  by 
the  government  to  look  after  the  titles  to  lands  claimed  by  the 
Indians  in  North  Carolina.  While  engaged  in  this  work  he  in- 
terested himself  in  the  welfare  of  the  Indians,  and  succeeded  in 
the  establishing  of  schools  for  them,  and  in  doing  much  for  their 
upbuilding.    In  1875  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference. 

On  August  13,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Woodward,  of 
Cherry  Ridge,  Wayne  County,  Pa.,  who  with  two  daughters 
and  a  son  survives  him.  His  body  was  laid  away  in  the  Dunmore 
Cemetery. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1875-76,  Rush;  1877-78, 
Hanover;  1879,  Sterling;  1880-81,  Lake  Como;  1882,  Plymouth, 
N.  Y.;  1883-84,  Chenango  Forks;  1885-87,  Ouaquaga;  1888-89, 
Damascus;  1890,  City  Missionary,  Scranton;  1891-94,  Secretary 
American  Sabbath  Union;  1895-97,  General  Secretary  North- 
eastern Pennsylvania  Sabbath  Union. 

EcKMAN,  John  G.,  D.D.,  was  born  near  Sunbury,  Northum- 
berland County,  Pa.,  on  October  7,  1836,  and  died  in  his  home  in 
Scranton,  on  August  10,  1898. 

He  was  converted  in  his  boyhood,  and 
immediately  joined  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  at  Sunbury.  The  Church 
recognized  his  gifts  and  gave  him  ex- 
horter's  and  local  preacher's  licenses  be- 
fore he  was  eighteen  years  of  age. 

He  attended  the  Genesee  Wesleyan 
Seminary,  at  Lima,  N.  Y.,  for  a  time, 
then  pursued  studies  privately  at  home, 
taught  school  some,  and  for  a  season 
engaged  in  the  photographic  business, 
before  giving  himself  to  the  Christian 
ministry. 

In  1859  he  supplied  the  Stoddartsville 
Circuit,  and  in  i860  joined  the  Wyoming 
Conference,  receiving  his  first  appointment  to  Stoddartsville. 


i8o 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  executive  and  legislative  ability  was  abundantly  recognized 
by  his  brethren  in  the  Conference  in  their  electing  him  delegate  to 
the  General  Conferences  of  1876,  1880,  1884,  1888,  and  1896. 
The  bishops  chose  him,  with  W.  H.  Olin,  D.D.,  to  represent  Wy- 
oming Conference  in  the  anniversary  Christmas  Conference  held 
in  Baltimore  in  1884.  Syracuse  University  conferred  the  degree 
of  D.D.  upon  him  in  1896. 

On  September  25,  1856,  he  married  Miss  Margaret  L.  Hile,  of 
Sunbury,  Pa.  Four  sons  were  born  to  them,  one  of  whom  is  a 
physician  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  another.  Rev.  George  Peck 
Eckman,  D.D.,  is  now  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  of  New  York  city.  His  wife  and  sons  survive  him. 
His  body  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Dunmore  Cemetery. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1859,  supply  at  Stoddarts- 
ville;  i860,  Stoddartsville ;  1861-62,  Lehman;  1863-64,  Plymouth, 
Pa.;  1865,  Northmoreland ;  1866-68,  Ross  Street,  Wilkes-Barre ; 
1869-71,  Waverly,  Pa.;  1872,  Ashley;  1873-76,  Presiding  Elder 
on  Chenango  District;  1877-79,  Adams  Avenue,  Scranton;  1880- 
83,  Presiding  Elder  on  Binghamton  District;  1884-86,  West  Pitts- 
ton;  1887-91,  Kingston;  1892,  Honesdale;  1893-98,  Presiding 
Elder  on  Wyoming  District. 

Edgar,  William,  was  born  on  February  24,  1855,  in  New 
York  city.  Here  he  passed  through  the  grammar  and  high 
schools.   At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Columbus,  O.,  where 

he  became  a  clerk  in  an  uncle's  store. 
During  his  first  winter  in  that  city  he 
passed  through  a  revival,  conducted  by 
Rev.  D.  H.  Moore,  now  bishop,  and  in 
it  gave  his  heart  to  God,  and  subsequent- 
ly united  with  the  Church.  He  at  once 
became  an  active  worker  and  taught 
nearly  every  Sunday  in  the  Ohio  Peni- 
tentiary for  nearly  two  years. 

After  two  years'  work  in  the  store  he 
returned  to  New  York,  and  during  the 
next  three  years  he  found  work  in  the 
old  Franklin  Street  Mission  and  Jerry 
McAuley's  Water  Street  Mission.  About 
this  time  he  entered  Dr.  Talmage's  Lay 
College,  in  Brooklyn,  where  he  studied 
two  years,  after  which  he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary  and  re- 
mained two  years.   In  1877  he  was  appointed  as  supply  to  Moun- 


Deceased  Preachers 


i8i 


tain  Top,  and  in  the  following  spring  united  with  the  Conference. 
In  December,  1875,  he  received  exhorter's  license,  and  a  month 
later  local  preacher's  license. 

On  April  29,  1879,  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Rogers,  of  New 
York  city,  who  died  on  January  11,  1901.  He  survived  her  a  little 
over  a  year.  He  had  suffered  with  appendicitis  about  two  years. 
When  he  was  finally  operated  upon  it  was  found  that  the  operation 
had  been  deferred  too  long.  He  could  not  rally  from  it,  and  on 
March  6,  1902,  he  passed  away.  He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in 
the  cemetery  at  Dunmore.  Three  children  were  born  to  them — 
William,  now  in  the  Third  National  Bank  of  Scranton;  Arthur, 
now  in  college;  and  Emily,  who  is  living  with  her  brother  in 
Scranton. 

His  pastorates  were  as  follows:  1878,  Decatur;  1879-80,  Mor- 
ris; 1 88 1,  North  Abington;  1882-83,  Bethany;  1884-86,  Worces- 
ter; 1887-90,  Dunmore;  1891-94,  Carbondale;  1895-99,  Provi- 
dence, Scranton;  1900-01,  Owego. 

Eldridge,  Enoch  P.,  was  born  in  North  Pitcher,  Chenango 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  May  27,  1831,  and  died  in  Choconut  Center, 
N.  Y.,  on  March  31,  1900.  He  was  taken  away  by  paralysis,  and 
was  sick  but  two  days.  He  was  buried 
at  Pitcher. 

His  conversion  occurred  early  in  life. 
Believing  himself  called  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  he  prepared  for  it  by  spend- 
ing some  time  in  study  at  each  of  the 
following  schools :  Academy  at  Man- 
lius,  Cazenovia  Seminary,  and  Genesee 
College. 

In  1854  he  joined  Oneida  Conference, 
and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference with  the  accession  of  Oneida  ter- 
ritory in  1869. 

In  1855  he  married  Miss  Sarah 
Hutchings,  who  died  in  Honesdale  in 
1878.   Seven  children  were  born  to  them, 

three  of  whom,  Alta  May,  Iva  Belle,  and  Lulu  Estelle,  are  living 
now. 

In  January,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Lucy  Chaplin,  of  Peckville, 
Pa.,  who  died  in  August  of  the  same  year. 

On  February  19,  1884,  he  married  Miss  Anna  E.  Kirkendall, 
of  Danby,  N.  Y.,  who  survives  him. 


ENOCH  P.  ELDRIDGE 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  ministry  was  a  soul-winning  one.  Revivals  were  the  rule 
with  him,  and  often  very  large  ones.  In  personal  work  he  was  a 
skilled  workman. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1854,  Harford;  1855, 
New  Hope;  1856,  East  Homer;  1857,  Amber;  1858-59,  Summer 
Hill;  1860-61,  Freetown;  1862-63,  Eldridge;  1864-65,  Cayuga; 
1866-68,  Slaterville;  1869-71,  Nichols;  1872-74,  Great  Bend; 
1875-76,  Mount  Upton;  1877,  Greene;  1878-79,  Agent  of  Hones- 
dale  Church;  1880,  Dunmore;  1881,  Peckville;  1882-83,  Danby; 
1884-85,  Speedsville;  1886-88,  Rome;  1889-91,  Fairdale ;  1892-96, 
Maine;  1897-99,  Choconut  Center. 

Ellis,  Benjamin,  was  born  in  Tioga,  Tioga  County,  N.  Y., 
and  died  in  Nichols,  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.,  September  13,  1871, 
aged  eighty-two  years. 

He  w^as  converted  under  the  labors  of 
Rev.  Solon  Stocking,  near  Factoryville, 
N.  Y.,  at  once  united  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  soon  afterward 
received  local  preacher's  Hcense.  In  1829 
he  united  with  the  Oneida  Conference, 
and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference by  the  accession  of  Oneida  terri- 
tory. He  was  a  ''good  preacher,  power- 
ful exhorter,  mighty  in  faith  and  prayer, 
and  great  revivals  followed  his  labors  on 
nearly  all  his  charges." 

His  appointments  were  as  follows: 
1829-30,  Wyoming;  1831-32,  Brooklyn; 
BENJAMIN  ELLIS  1833-34,    Bridgewatcr ;    1835,  Canaan; 

1836,  Wyalusing;  1837-38,  Pike;  1839- 
40,  Pittston;  1841,  Dundaff  Mission;  1842,  Barton;  1843,  Flem- 
ingville;  1844-45,  McDonough;  1846,  Lisle;  1847-58,  sy. ;  1859- 
71,  sd. 

Elwell,  King,  was  born  at  Factoryville,  Pa.,  in  the  year  1813, 
At  eighteen  years  of  age  he  sought  and  found  peace  in  Christ, 
and  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  His  gifts  were 
recognized  and  exhorter's  and  local  preacher's  licenses  granted. 
After  a  couple  of  years'  supply  work  under  the  elder  he  joined 
the  Oneida  Conference  on  trial  in  1835.  His  ordination  as  deacon 
and  elder  were  both  by  Bishop  Hedding.  He  became  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference  upon  its  organization. 


Deceased  Preachers 


183 


In  1836  he  married  Miss  Catherine 
Bull,  of  Wysox,  who  shared  the  bur- 
dens of  itinerant  life  with  him  nearly 
fifty  years.  To  them  were  born  three 
sons,  one  of  whom  was  a  useful  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference  many  years. 
She  died  on  February  26,  1902. 

He  was  an  original  and  forceful 
preacher,  and  his  ministry  was  usually 
attended  by  revivals,  multitudes  having 
been  brought  to  Christ  through  his 
efforts. 

He  died  on  January  16,  1885,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Hope  Cemetery,  at  Newark 
Valley,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows: 
1835-36,  Wyalusing;  1837,  Lanesboro;  1838-39,  Bridgewater; 
1840,  Northmoreland ;  1841-42,  Pike;  1843-44,  Newfield;  1845- 
46,  Broome;  1847-48,  North  Danby;  1849-50,  Spencer;  185 1, 
Barton ;  1852-53,  sd. ;  1854-57,  located ;  1858-59,  Spencer,  1860- 
63,  Presiding  Elder  of  Binghamton  District;  1864-66,  Newark; 
1867,  North  Danby;  1868,  Brooklyn;  1869-70,  Montrose;  1871 ; 
Herrick;  1872-84,  sd. 


KING  ELWELL, 


Elwell,  Stephen,  was  the  son  of  Rev.  King  Elwell,  and  was 
born  in  Springville,  Pa.,  on  March  26,  1839,  ^i^^  '^^  Yates- 
ville,  Pa.,  on  March  11,  1892. 

When  a  mere  boy  he  was  converted  and 
joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
At  nineteen  he  began  preaching,  and  in 
1862,  at  twenty,  joined  the  Wyoming 
Conference.  His  ministry  was  without 
loss  of  time  because  of  sickness  until 
death.  This  was  very  sudden.  He  bade 
his  family  good  night,  as  usual,  and  re- 
tired. The  next  morning  he  was  not,  his 
spirit  had  flown.  His  body  was  laid  to 
rest  in  Marcy  Cemetery  at  Lackawanna. 

In  1865  he  married  Miss  Eleanor  Reed. 
One  son  and  three  daughters  were  born 
to  them.  The  wife  and  children  survive, 
save  Miss  Kate,  who  died  on  September 

STEPHEN  ELWELL.  23,   1 897. 


i84 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1862,  Springville;  1863-64, 
Gibson;  1865-66,  Great  Bend;  1867,  Chenango;  1868-69,  Rome; 
1870-71,  Fairdale;  1872-74,  Le  Raysville;  1875-77,  Carverton; 
1878-80,  Mehoopany;  1881-83,  Lackawanna;  1884-86,  Dunmore; 
1887,  Avoca;  1888,  Plains;  1889-90,  Hampton  Street,  Scranton; 
1891,  Yatesville. 

FiSK,  Wesley  C,  was  born  in  Burlington,  Otsego  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Jackson,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  August  9, 
1876,  aged  about  thirty-four  years. 

He  entered  the  legal  profession,  but  his  conversion  at  the  age 
of  twenty-eight  changed  his  plans  of  life.  He  resolved  to  give 
his  life  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Accordingly,  he  united  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  soon  licensed  as  ex- 
horter  and  finally  as  a  local  preacher.  He  served  Schuyler's 
Lake  charge  a  year  and  a  half  as  supply  under  the  presiding  elder, 
and  in  1875  joined  the  Conference  on  trial,  and  was  stationed  at 
Pleasant  Valley,  on  the  Binghamton  District.  His  death  was 
very  sudden,  being  sick  but  three  days. 

Fox,  Hubbard,  was  born  in  Sherburne,  Chenango  County, 
N.  Y.,  on  March  i,  1818,  and  died  in  Norwich,  Chenango  County, 
N.  Y.,  on  November  19,  1892. 

He  was  reared  in  a  Christian  home, 
his  father  being  a  deacon  in  the  Congre- 
gational Church.  He,  however,  drifted 
into  pronounced  skepticism.  At  the  age 
of  thirty  he  was  converted,  and  joined 
the  Congregational  Church.  At  his  fa- 
ther's death  he  succeeded  him  as  deacon. 
At  the  age  of  thirty-seven- he  yielded  a 
struggle  which  covered  several  years  and 
gave  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
Finding  the  doctrines  and  usages  of 
Methodism  more  in  harmony  with  his 
views  than  those  of  Congregationalism, 
he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
HUBBARD  FOX  Church,  and  was  at  once  given  work. 

In  1855  he  joined  the  Oneida  Confer- 
ence, and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  by  the  acces- 
sion of  Oneida  territory  in  1869. 

In  1837  or  1838  he  married  Miss  Sally  Maria  Finch,  of  Pitcher, 
Chenango  County,  N.  Y.  One  daughter  and  four  sons  were  born 


Deceased  Preachers 


to  them,  one  of  whom,  Kelsey,  was  killed  in  the  civil  war.  The 
wife  survived  him  until  April  28,  1894,  when  she  passed  away. 
Husband  and  wife  lie  side  by  side  in  Mount  Hope  Cemetery  in 
Norwich,  N.  Y.  The  balance  of  the  children  are  alive  at  this 
writing. 

After  his  superannuation  in  1878  he  resided  in  Norwich  until 
his  death.  However,  he  preached  as  opportunity  presented  itself. 
When  the  Owego  church  was  in  financial  distress  he  was  its  as- 
sistant pastor  for  six  months,  and  he  also  occupied  a  similar  re- 
lation to  the  Honesdale  church. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1855,  Borodino;  1856,  Am- 
ber; 1857,  Preble;  1858-59,  West  Eaton;  i860,  Fayetteville ;  1861- 
62,  Pratt's  Hollow;  1863-64,  Fabius;  1865,  Cardiff;  1866-67,  New 
Woodstock;  1868-69,  Westford;  1870,  Schenevus;  1871,  Whit- 
ney's Point;  1872,  Marathon;  1873-74,  Sherburne;  1875-76, 
Smyrna;  1878-92,  sd. 


Gavitt,  William  H.,  was  born  in  Springville,  Pa.,  March  4, 
1833,  and  died  in  Centermoreland,  Pa.,  December  21,  1883. 

His  parents  came  from  Rhode  Island  and  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Susquehanna  County.  He  was 
converted  in  1855  and  joined  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  at  Brooklyn,  Pa., 
from  which  church  he  received  his  license 
to  preach  and  recommendation  to  Wy- 
oming Conference,  into  which  he  was 
admitted  in  i860.  In  1864  his  love  for 
country  prompted  him  to  enlist  in  the 
army,  where  he  was  soon  promoted  to 
the  chaplaincy  of  the  52d  Regiment  of 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  receiving  his 
commission  March  11,  1864.  In  this  ca- 
pacity he  faithfully  served  his  country 
until  the  close  of  the  war. 

On  October  2,  1865,  he  married  Miss 
Mary  Louisa  Blakeslee,  of  Springville, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  who  with  four  sons  survived  him. 

After  a  glorious  revival  at  Beaumont,  and  just  as  he  was  about 
to  commence  a  series  of  services  at  Centermoreland,  he  was 
stricken  with  pneumonia,  which  hurried  him  out  of  the  world. 
His  body  was  laid  in  the  Lynn  Cemetery,  Springville  charge, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa. 

During  his  ministry  he  won  many  souls  for  Christ, 


WILLIAM  H.  GAVITT 


i86 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  i860,  Gibson;  1861-62, 
Auburn;  1863,  Paupack;  1864-65,  Chaplain  in  the  Army;  1866- 
67,  South  Danby;  1868-69,  Hornbrook;  1870,  Shepherd's  Creek; 
1871,  Caroline;  1872-73,  Harpursville;  1874-76,  Greene;  1877-79, 
Clifford;  1880-81,  Sterling;  1882-83,  Northmoreland. 

Gendall,  Francis,  was  born  on  January  28,  1845,  the  vil- 
lage of  Trigaminion,  County  of  Cornwall,  England. 

He  was  converted  in  the  Wesleyan  chapel,  on  the  evening  of 
Good  Friday,  1862,  in  a  revival  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  William  Booth,  known 
now  as  General  Booth,  of  the  Salvation 
Army.  From  early  youth  he  was  the 
subject  of  deep  and  lively  religious  im- 
pressions. The  ecstatic  death  of  his  old- 
est sister,  a  girl  of  thirteen,  produced  a 
profound  impression  upon  him.  To  these 
must  be  added  the  influence  of  his  godly 
mother.  Shortly  after  his  conversion  he 
joined  the  Bible  Christian  Church,  of 
which  his  mother  was  a  member.  In 
about  a  year  he  became  an  exhorter,  snd 
shortly  afterward  a  local  preacher,  on 
the  St.  Just  Circuit,  within  which  he 
lived,  the  family  having  moved  within 
its  bounds,  at  a  place  called  Trewellard.  His  call  to  the  ministry 
was  as  clear  and  emphatic  as  his  conversion.  He  traveled  sixteen 
miles  on  foot,  walking  both  ways,  to  preach  his  first  sermon.  Dur- 
ing three  years  after  receiving  local  preacher's  license  he  worked 
during  the  week  and  preached  on  Sunday,  reaching  his  appoint- 
ments by  foot,  and  the  distances  varied  from  little  or  nothing  to 
twelve  miles.  In  February,  1867,  he  was  called  to  fill  the  unex- 
pired year  of  Rev.  W.  Bird,  the  junior  preacher  on  the  Redruth 
and  Camborne  Circuit.  In  the  following  May  he  was  examined 
as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  and  appointed  as  junior  preacher 
to  Helston,  in  Cornwall,  a  circuit  fifty  miles  in  circumference,  and 
having  thirteen  chapels.  In  1868  he  was  appointed,  as  one  of  the 
junior  preachers,  to  the  Scilly  Isles  Mission  (a  group  of  small 
islands  thirty  miles  from  Land's  End,  England).  Here  he  labored 
two  years,  when  he  was  sent  as  junior  preacher  to  the  Truro 
Circuit.  In  the  spring  of  1871  severe  bronchial  affection  com- 
pelled him  to  resign  his  work.  He  accordingly  returned  to  his 
home  at  Trewellard. 


FRANCIS  GENDALL, 


Deceased  Preachers 


187 


On  May  20,  1871,  he  married  Miss  Grace  Bolitho  White,  of 
Pendeen,  Cornwall,  England,  and  in  June  came  to  America,  set- 
tling in  Plymouth,  Pa.,  where  he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  taking  rank  as  a  local  preacher  on  his  credentials.  The 
following  spring  he  moved  to  Kingston.  His  vocal  powers  re- 
turned so  that  he  usually  preached  once,  and  frequently  twice,  on 
Sunday,  as  opportunity  offered.  In  1873  he  accepted  work  at 
Beach  Lake,  as  supply,  and  in  the  following  year  was  admitted  to 
the  Conference. 

He  secured  eight  years'  work  in  the  schools  in  England,  cover- 
ing the  English  branches,  some  history,  theology,  and  English  lit- 
erature, and  continued  to  be  a  hard  student  after  entering  the 
Conference. 

After  an  illness  of  five  weeks  he  died  at  Peckville,  on  August 
26,  1902,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  that  place.  His  wife, 
three  sons,  and  five  daughters  survive  him — Richard,  Frank,  Bert, 
Anna,  Lena,  Sadie,  Nellie,  and  Ruth. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1874-75,  South  Canaan; 
1876-78,  Waymart;  1879-80,  Peckville;  1881-83,  Newton;  1884, 
Nanticoke  r  1885-87,  Waverly  and  Clark's  Green  ;  1888-89,  Dallas ; 
1890-92,  Schenevus,  1893-97,  Jermyn;  1898,  Plains;  1899,  Taylor; 
1900-02,  Peckville. 

Greenfield,  George,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  on  May  10,  1839,  ^^^^  the  same  city  on  December 
T,  1895. 

He  was  by  trade  a  blacksmith,  and  was  converted  in  the  shop 
where  he  worked  when  seventeen  years  of  age.  His  gifts  were 
soon  recognized,  and  within  a  year  after  conversion  he  received 
exhorter's  and  local  preacher's  licenses.  Seven  years  he  worked 
at  his  trade,  preaching  as  opportunity  offered.  During  these  years 
he  held  his  membership  with  Hancock  Street  and  Summerfield 
Churches  in  Philadelphia.  He  did  supply  work  within  the  bounds 
of  Philadelphia  Conference  a  couple  of  years,  when  in  1865  he 
was  sent  as  supply  to  Lehman,  in  this  Conference.  In  1866  he 
united  with  the  Conference.  In  1887,  because  of  throat  trouble, 
he  took  a  supernumerary  relation  to  the  Conference  and  moved 
to  his  native  city.  Here  he  found  work  to  do.  He  was  given 
the  care  of  Mount  Olivet  Mission  and  subsequently  the  mission 
at  New  Providence. 

After  many  months  of  illness,  and  when  it  seemed  as  if  he 
might  rally,  his  heart  suddenly  failed,  and  he  passed  away.  He 
was  buried  in  North  Cedar  Hill  Cemetery,  in  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


i88 


Wyoming  Conference 


On  October  13,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Heller,  of 
Philadelphia.  Two  children  were  born  to  them.  One  died  a 
number  of  years  ago.  The  one  living  is  a  son,  and  at  this  writing 
is  a  member  of  the  California  Conference.  He  was  last  stationed 
at  Virginia,  in  the  Nevada  Mission. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1865,  supply  at  Lehman; 
1866,  Lehman;  1867-68,  Northmoreland ;  1869,  Nicholson;  1870- 
72,  Auburn;  1873,  Orwell;  1874-76,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1877-79, 
Meshoppen;  1880-82,  Parsons;  1883-85,  Forty  Fort;  1886, 
Wanamie;  1887-95,  sy. 


Grimes,  John  M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Candor,  N.  Y.,  on 
November  9,  18 12,  and  died  upon  the  same  premises  on  October 

16,  1891. 

His  parents  were  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  dedicated  him  to 
God  in  baptism  while  he  was  an  infant. 
He  embraced  religion  early  in  life  and 
joined  the  Church  of  his  fathers.  Sub- 
sequently, upon  conviction,  when  about 
twenty  years  of  age  he  joined  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  at  Flemings  ille, 
N.  Y. 

In  1837  he  received  exhorter's  license 
and  in  due  time  local- preacher's  license. 
During  the  years  in  which  he  held  local 
preacher's  license  he  taught  school  for  a 
livelihood,  preaching  as  opportunity  pre- 
sented itself,  assisted  in  revivals,  and 
served  as  supply  under  other  pastors. 

In  1844  he  joined  the  Oneida  Conference  and  became  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organization. 

On  March  22,  1838,  he  married  Miss  Rachel  C.  Taylor,  of 
Candor,  N.  Y.  She  preceded  him  to  the  better  country  on  March 
15,  1888.  Husband  and  wife  lie  in  the  cemetery  adjoining  the 
Flemingville  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1844,  Lisle;  1845-46,  South 
Danby;  1847-48,  Cayuga;  1849-50,  Speedsville;  1851-52,  Union; 
1853-54,  Broome;  1855-56,  Liberty;  1857,  Chenango  Forks;  1858, 
Caroline;  1859-60,  Conklin ;  1861-62,  Shepherd's  Creek;  1863-64, 
Tioga;  1865-66,  Van  Ettenville;  1867,  Sheshequin;  1868-69,  Ves- 
tal; 1870,  Campville;  1871,  Harford;  1872-87,  sy.,  a  part  of  the 
time  with  appointments;  1888-91,  sd. 


JOHN  M.  GRIMES 


Deceased  Preachers 


189 


Hard,  Manley  Sylvester,  D.D.,  was  born  on  October  4,  1842, 
at  Penfield,  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  and  in  a  Methodist  parsonage, 
his  father  being  Rev.  Amos  Hard,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
Genesee  Conference  over  forty  years. 
His  brother,  Clark  P.,  M.A.,  is  a  member 
of  the  lUinois  Conference,  and  was  a  mis- 
sionary in  India  twenty  years. 

He  prepared  for  college  at  Lima  Sem- 
inary, and  graduated  from  Genesee  Col- 
lege (now  Syracuse  University)  with  the 
class  of  1863.  He  received  Bachelor  and 
Master's  degrees  from  this  school,  and 
the  degree  of  D.D.  from  New  Orleans 
University  in  1888. 

He  was  converted  when  eight  years  of 
age,  while  under  a  cherry  tree  with  his 
mother,  in  the  yard  at  Hulberton,  Orleans 
County,  N.  Y.  He  soon  after  joined  the 
Church  on  probation,  when  his  pastor 
placed  his  hand  on  his  head  and  said,  "Manley,  I  want  you  to  be 
a  good  boy  and  come  up  to  take  the  place  of  your  father."  From 
that  hour  he  felt  called  to  preach. 

In  October,  1861,  he  received  exhorter's  license  from  Rev. 
John  M.  Reid,  D.D.,  then  pastor  of  the  College  Church  at  Lima, 
N.  Y.  In  October,  1862,  he  received  local  preacher's  license  from 
the  Quarterly  Conference  of  the  Clifton  Springs  church,  he  being 
a  teacher  in  Clifton  Springs  at  the  time.  In  April,  1864,  he 
joined  the  Oneida  Conference,  and  became  a  member  of  Central 
New  York  Conference  when  it  was  organized  from  territory 
which  had  been  in  Oneida  and  Genesee  Conferences.  He  became 
a  member  of  Wyoming  by  transfer  in  1886. 

He  published  several  sermons  and  addresses  in  pamphlet  form, 
was  editor  for  a  term  of  the  Elmira  District  Herald  and  later  one 
of  the  editors  of  Christianity  in  Earnest.  During  the  last  twenty 
years  he  wrote  more  or  less  for  the  Church  papers.  He  did  sec- 
retarial work,  in  the  Conferences  to  which  he  belonged,  more  than 
twenty  years.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conferences  of 
1884,  1888,  1892,  1896,  and  1900,  at  each  of  which  he  was  on 
the  secretarial  staff.  He  was  president  of  the  Syracuse  Alumni 
Association  several  terms,  and  was  a  trustee  of  the  university 
from  1890  until  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Cornell 
Library  Commission,  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  and  for  six  years  was  a 
trustee  of  the  New  York  State  Custodial  Asylum  for  Feeble- 


190 


Wyoming  Conference 


Minded  Women,  being  appointed  by  the  governor  of  the  State  and 
confirmed  by  the  Senate.  Four  years  he  represented  its  interests 
before  the  Legislature. 

In  November,  1892,  while  serving  Wyoming  District  he  was 
elected  Assistant  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Church 
Extension,  but  did  not  begin  work  in  this  field  until  April  20,  1893. 

On  July  5,  1866,  he  married  Miss  CeHa  Adelaide  Stowell,  M.S. 
A  son  and  a  daughter  were  born  to  them.  Mrs.  Hard  has  been  an 
efficient  secretary  of  the  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of 
our  Conference. 

While  delivering  an  address  before  the  Rock  River  Conference 
in  October,  1902,  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis,  which  resulted 
in  his  death  on  February  12,  1903.  He  is  buried  in  Floral  Park 
Cemetery,  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  in  a  lot  generously  provided  by 
the  Centenary  Church. 

At  the  session  of  Wyoming  Conference  in  1903  the  Conference 
decided  to  erect  a  church  at  West  End,  in  Binghamton,  which 
shall  be  known  as  the  Hartwell-Hard  Memorial  Church,  thus 
expressing  its  love  for  Dr.  Hard  and  its  appreciation  of  his  work 
for  Church  Extension. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1865-66,  Morrisville;  1867- 
69,  Clinton;  1870-72,  Ilion;  1873-75,  Centenary  Church,  Syracuse; 
1876-77,  Aurora  Street,  Ithaca;  1878-80,  Presiding  Elder  of  El- 
mira  District;  1881-83,  Hedding  Church,  Elmira;  1884-85,  Can- 
andaigua;  Wyoming  Conference,  1886-90,  Centenary  Church, 
Binghamton;  1891-92,  Presiding  Elder  of  Wyoming  District; 
1 893- 1 902,  Assistant  Corresponding  Secretary  Church  Extension 
Society. 

Halstead,  Henry,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bedford,  West- 
chester County,  N.  Y.,  on  June  4,  1800,  and  died  at  the  home  of 
his  son  in  New  Berlin,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  on  February 
21,  1896. 

At  fourteen  years  of  age  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  blacksmith  in 
Mayfield,  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.  It  is  supposed  that  it  was 
about  this  time  that  he  surrendered  himself  to  Christ.  At  twenty 
years  of  age  he  commenced  teaching  school,  and  continued  in  that 
vocation  about  four  years,  when  his  health  failed.  The  failure  of 
his  health  he  regarded  as  evidence  of  divine  displeasure  at  his 
refusing  to  obey  God's  call  to  the  ministry.  He  soon  yielded,  and 
resolved  to  enter  the  first  open  door.  A  vacancy  on  Sharon  Cir- 
cuit soon  occurred,  and  he  was  offered  the  opening,  which  he 
gladly  accepted. 


Deceased  Preachers 


191 


In  1826  he  joined  the  Genesee  Conference,  became  a  member 
of  Oneida.  Conference  at  its  organization,  and  a  member  of  Wy- 
oming Conference  with  the  accession  of  Oneida  territory  in  1869. 

In  1827  he  enjoyed  a  great  revival  in  which  over  seventy  were 
converted.  Three  of  the  number  became  preachers,  one  of  whom 
was  Jesse  T.  Peck,  afterward  bishop.  While  he  was  stationed  at 
Herkimer  Miss  Sophronia  Farrington  was  converted.  She  spent 
several  days  in  prayer  and  then  went  out  among  the  people.  In  a 
revival  which  followed  it  was  discovered  that  none  had  been  con- 
verted other  than  those  with  whom  she  prayed,  and  all  such  found 
peace  while  she  knelt  by  their  side.  She  was  the  first  unmarried 
female  missionary  sent  to  Africa  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

On  June  25,  1829,  he  married  Miss  EHza  Ann  Parks,  of  Earl- 
ville,  N.  Y.  At  sixteen  years  of  age  she  had  been  led  to  Christ  in 
the  gracious  revival  at  Earlville,  referred  to  above.  She  preceded 
him  to  the  heavenly  country  a  number  of  years,  she  dying  at 
Unadilla,  N.  Y.,  on  January  9,  1884,  being  seventy-three  years 
old  at  the  time  of  her  death.  She  was  buried  at  Unadilla,  but  at 
the  time  of  her  husband's  death  her  body  was  removed  to  New 
Berlin.  Husband  and  wife  now  lie  side  by  side  in  St.  Andrew's 
Cemetery  in  New  Berlin,  N.  Y.  Three  children  were  born  to 
them,  one  daughter  and  two  sons.  Rev.  Thomas  P.  was  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference.  Henry  J.  is  now  living,  and  the  daugh- 
ter is  married  and  lives  in  Chicago. 

After  his  superannuation  he  resided  in  Unadilla  until  his  wife's 
death,  when  he  went  to  his  son,  Henry  J.,  and  lived  with  him 
until  death. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1826,  Camden;  1827,  Leb- 
anon; 1828-29,  Vernon;  1830,  Stockbridge;  1831-32,  Herkimer; 
1833-34,  Oxford;  1835,  Hamilton;  1836-37,  Hampton;  1838-39, 
Springfield;  1840,  Sherburne;  1841,  Otsego;  1842-43,  Middle- 
field;  1844-45,  Exeter;  1846,  Otego;  1847-48,  Springfield;  1849- 
50,  Frey's  Bush;  1851,  sd. ;  1852,  Westville;  1853,  Unadilla  and 
Unadilla  Center;  1854,  Unadilla;  1855,  Bainbridge;  1856-95,  sd. 

Halstead,  Thomas  P.,  was  born  in  Stockbridge,  Madison 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  September  11,  1830,  and  died  in  Afton,  N.  Y., 
on  April  22,  1891,  after  a  few  days'  sickness"  of  pneumonia. 

He  was  converted  and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
when  twenty  years  of  age. 

His  whole  life  was  in  the  itinerancy,  being  the  son  of  Rev. 
Henry  Halstead.  His  license  to  exhort  was  received  in  1856,  and 


192 


Wyoming  Conference 


local  preacher's  license  was  given  him  in  August,  1857,  when  he 
was  at  once  appointed  as  junior  preacher  on  Hartwick  charge  un- 
der Louis  Hartsough,  senior  preacher.  In  the  ensuing  October  he 
was  appointed  as  supply  to  Morris  charge,  and  in  1858  he  joined 
the  Oneida  Conference,  becoming  a  member  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference w^ith  the  allotment  of  Oneida  territory  in  1869. 

On  September  15,  1852,  he  married  Miss  Lina  Merrill,  of  Hart- 
wick, Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Halstead's  health  failed  during 
the  Taylorville  pastorate,  at  the  close  of  which  she  was  removed  to 
the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Clifford  Carrington,  of  Afton, 
N.  Y.,  where  she  remained  an  invalid  until  her  death  on  December 
24,  1891.  Husband  and  wife  lie  side  by  side  in  the  Glenwood 
Cemetery  at  Afton. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1858,  Bainbridge;  1859-60, 
Plymouth,  N.  Y. ;  1861-62,  Earlville;  1863-64,  East  Hamilton; 
1865-67,  Unadilla;  1868-70,  Oxford;  1871-72,  Sherburne;  1873- 
75,  Afton;  1876,  Guilford;  1877-79,  Mount  Upton;  1880-82, 
Worcester;  1883-85,  Newark;  1886,  Taylorville;  1887,  sd. ;  1888, 
Athens;  1889,  Worcester,  and  Presiding  Elder  on  Oneonta  Dis- 
trict; 1890-91,  Presiding  Elder  on  Oneonta  District. 


Hartwell,  Joseph,  passed  to  his  reward  from  his  late  home  in 
Binghamton  on  the  morning  of  November  13,  1899.  He  was  born 
September  22,  1816,  at  Summit,  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y. 

From  his  New  England  ancestry  he 
inherited  his  radical  convictions  both  in 
politics  and  religion.  Under  the  preach- 
ing of  Isaac  Grant,  an  itinerant  Metho- 
dist, Joseph  Hartwell,  in  his  twelfth 
}  ear,  was  converted.  He  was  licensed 
to  exhort  at  sixteen,  and  to  preach  at 
eighteen;  he  joined  the  Oneida  Confer- 
ence in  1838.  He  filled  various  appoint- 
ments with  growing  acceptability,  and  in 
1852  was  made  presiding  elder  of  the 
Auburn  District.  His  health  becoming 
impaired,  Bishop  Simpson  recommended 
a  change  of  climate.  He  went  West,  ac- 
cepting the  position  of  financial  secre- 
tary of  the  Northwestern  University, 
Evanston,  111.  Seeing  a  greater  field  of  usefulness,  he  relinquished 
this  work  for  one  of  greater  importance  to  the  Church.  He  or- 
ganized a  Society  of  Church  Extension  in  Chicago,  April  30,  1855, 


JOSEPH  HARTWELL 


Deceased  Preachers 


193 


and  was  appointed  financial  secretary  and  field  agent.  He  traveled 
east  and  west,  organizing  Church  Extension  societies  in  nearly 
all  the  Conferences  auxiliary  to  the  Northwestern  Church  Exten- 
sion Society.  He  raised  thousands  of  dollars,  secured  donations 
of  lots  for  parsonages  and  churches,  and  by  addresses,  articles  to 
the  Church  papers,  by  personal  appeal  to  our  chief  editors,  secre- 
taries, and  bishops,  he  prepared  the  way  and  hastened  the  organi- 
zation of  the  General  Society  of  Church  Extension,  which  took 
place  at  the  General  Conference  in  1864. 

He  was  married  twice.  His  first  wife  was  Sarah  A.  Peacock, 
of  New  York  Mills,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1842.  She  died 
in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  on  July  21,  1848.  Two  daughters  and  twin  boys 
were  born  to  them.  The  boys  died  in  infancy.  The  daughters 
grew  to  womanhood  and  were  married.  Both  daughters,  how- 
ever, preceded  him  to  the  better  country.  His  second  marriage 
was  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Rood,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  on  May  16,  187 1, 
who  survives  him.  He  was  buried  in  Floral  Park  Cemetery,  in 
Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

He  moved  to  Binghamton  in  the  spring  of  1877,  where  he  re- 
sided until  his  death. 

Appreciating  the  fact  that  he  was  the  father  of  Church  Exten- 
sion work  in  our  Methodism,  Rev.  A.  F.  Chaffee,  at  the  Confer- 
ence of  190 1,  suggested  a  memorial  to  him,  and  that  the  memorial 
should  be  the  erection  of  a  church  on  the  typical  Church  Exten- 
sion plan.  The  matter  was  referred  to  the  Conference  Historical 
Society.  During  the  year  Dr.  Hard  solicited  subscriptions,  and  a 
comfortable  amount  was  realized.  At  the  Conference  of  1902 
this  amount  was  increased  to  about  $250.  At  the  Conference  of 
1903  the  amount  paid  on  these  subscriptions  and  the  unpaid  list 
was  sent  to  the  Conference  by  Mrs.  Hard.  The  Conference  de- 
cided to  use  this  fund,  add  to  it  if  possible,  raise  funds  in  memory 
of  Dr.  Hard,  and  combine  the  funds  and  start  a  Church  enter- 
prise at  West  End,  in  Binghamton,  to  be  known  as  the  Hartwell- 
Hard  Memorial  Church. 

Great  credit  is  due  Rev.  A.  W.  Hayes,  D.D.,  who,  after  Brother 
Hartwell's  death,  went  carefully  over  his  preserved  correspond- 
ence, and  sifted  and  orderly  arranged  the  letters  and  clippings 
which  prove  conclusively  that  he  was  the  father  of  the  Church 
Extension  movement.  The  correspondence,  etc.,  was  nicely  ar- 
ranged in  a  scrapbook  and  put  in  the  library  of  Drew  Theological 
Seminary. 

The  following  were  his  appointments:    1838,  Otsego;  1839, 
Otego;  1840,  Hamilton;  1841,  East  Hamilton;  1842-43,  Fabius; 
13 


194 


Wyoming  Conference 


1844-45,  Stockbridge ;  1846,  Sauquoit;  1847-48,  State  Street, 
Utica;  1849,  Skaneateles;  1850-51,  Homer;  1852,  Auburn  Dis- 
trict; 1853,  Agent  of  Northwestern  University;  1854-55,  Agent  of 
Northwestern  Church  Extension  Society;  1856,  Aurora,  Rock 
River  Conference;  1857,  ^^e  East;  1858,  Woodstock;  1859- 
60,  sy. ;  1 86 1,  First  Church,  Rockford ;  1862-63,  Superintendent 
of  Missions  in  Liverpool,  England;  1864,  Sterling,  111.; 
1865-66,  Kankakee;  1867,  Morris;  1868,  State  Street,  Chicago; 
1869-71,  located;  1872,  Le  Roy;  Wyoming  Conference,  1873-75, 
High  Street,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. ;  1876,  Schenevus;  1877-78,  sy. ; 
1879-99,  sd. 

Herdman,  Eugene  C,  was  born  in  Westford,  Otsego  County, 
N.  Y.,  December  6,  1845,  and  died  there  January  7,  1882. 

He  spent  his  youth  and  young  manhood  in  the  place  of  his 
birth.  Early  in  life  he  manifested  an  interest  in  religion,  and  at 
about  twenty  years  of  age  consecrated  himself  to  Jesus  and 
united  with  the  Congregational  Church  of  Westford,  in  which  he 
became  an  influential  member,  acting  as  deacon  and  Sunday 
school  superintendent.  After  spending  one  year  at  the  Albany 
Normal  School,  responding  to  God's  voice  calling  him  to  the 
ministry,  he  began  his  studies  with  his  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Giliett, 
with  whom  he  studied  one  year.  Believing  he  would  be  better 
pleased  with  the  genius  and  spirit  of  Methodism,  he  joined  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  September,  1870,  and  at  once 
began  to  plan  for  a  course  of  study  at  one  of  our  schools.  By  the 
help  of  friends,  and  by  teaching  and  preaching,  he  succeeded  in 
prosecuting  the  course  of  study  in  the  Theological  Department  of 
Boston  University,  graduating  in  1875. 

On  January  5,  1875,  he  married  Miss  Amanda  M.  Preston,  of 
Westford,  N.  Y.  Two  sons  were  born  to  them.  She  died  on 
November  19,  1884. 

He  supplied  Unadilla  in  1875,  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in 
1876,  and  was  returned  to  Unadilla.  In  1877  he  was  sent  to 
Otego,  and  in  1878  he  was  appointed  to  Schenevus,  where  he  la- 
bored three  years.  His  health  failed  so  that  in  February,  1881, 
he  gave  up  his  work  and  sought  restoration  at  Aiken,  S.  C.  The 
Conference  of  1881  granted  him  a  superannuate  relation.  After 
summering  with  his  family  in  the  North  he  went  to  Wernersville, 
Pa.,  in  November.  His  health  failing  rapidly,  he  returned  home  in 
December,  that  he  might  die  among  his  kindred,  where  he  was 
buried.   His  body  was  afterward  removed  to  Worcester,  N.  Y. 

He  is  said  to  have  been  an  exceedingly  promising  young  man. 


Deceased  Preachers 


195 


Hewitt,  Jasper  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bethlehem,  Al- 
bany County,  N.  Y.,  on  May  20,  1816,  and  died  in  his  home  in 
Candor,  N.  Y.,  on  November  19,  1899. 

When  about  fifteen  years  of  age  he 
was  converted  at  a  camp  meeting  held 
near  Apalachin,  N.  Y.  Shortly  after  this 
he  went  into  western  New  York  to  at- 
tend school,  living  with  an  aunt  who  gave 
him  the  best  of  religious  instruction. 

In  1842  he  was  given  an  exhorter's 
license,  and  in  1844  a  local  preacher's 
license.  After  serving  as  supply  three 
years  under  the  presiding  elder,  he 
joined  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1848, 
and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference at  its  organization.  After  super- 
annuation he  settled  in  Candor,  where  he 
lived  until  death.  He  was  buried  in  jasper  w.  hewitt 
Maple  Grove  Cemetery,  in  Candor. 

On  September  2,  1838,  he  married  Miss  Clarissa  J.  Wright,  of 
South  Danby,  who  with  one  son  and  three  daughters  survived 
him. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1848-49,  Virgil;  1850-51, 
Flemingville;  1852-53,  Barton;  1854-55,  Tioga;  1856-57,  Flem- 
ingville;  1858,  located;  1859-60,  Litchfield;  1861-62,  Mehoopany; 
1863-64,  Sanford;  1865-67,  Lanesboro;  1868-70,  Bethany;  1871, 
Siaterville;  1872-74,  Whitney's  Point  and  Triangle;  1875,  New 
Milford;  1876-77,  Kirkwood ;  1878-79,  Lanesboro;  1880-82, 
Union  Center;  1883-85,  Franklin  Forks;  1886-99,  sd. 

Hill,  Samuel  H.,  was  born  in  Brookfield,  Madison  County, 
N.  Y.,  March  16,  1820,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Schenevus,  N.  Y., 
September  i,  1881. 

He  was  converted  when  about  twelve  years  of  age,  and  united 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  After  having  been  a  local 
preacher  several  years  he  joined  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1854, 
and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  with  the  accession  of  Oneida 
territory  in  1869. 

On  April  28,  1842,  he  married  Miss  Laura  A.  Nash,  who  with 
one  daughter  survived  him,  the  other  daughter  having  passed  on 
before. 

During  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  he  was  a  great  sufferer 
from  rheumatic  troubles. 


196 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1854,  Warren;  1855,  Litch- 
field; 1856,  Jordanville;  1857-58,  Exeter;  1859-60,  Westville; 
1861,  Westford  and  Schenevus;  1862-63,  Otego ;  1864,  Middle- 
field;  1865-66,  Edmeston;  1867-68,  Starkville;  1869-70,  Brook- 
field;  1871,  Decatur;  1872,  Sidney  Plains;  1873,  Westville;  1874, 
sy. ;  1875-81,  sd. 

High,  Edgar  M.,  was  born  in  Greenville,  Albany  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1 816.  At  fourteen  years  of  age  he  was  converted  and 
began  an  active  Christian  life.   He  married  in  his  nineteenth  year. 

Afflictions  soon  began  to  chasten.  One 
and  a  half  years  after  marriage  he  lost 
his  wife,  and  soon  after  his  only  child. 
About  this  time  he  felt  called  to  the  min- 
istry. In  1842  he  again  married,  and  be- 
gan the  ministry  as  junior  preacher  on 
Livingston  charge,  Niagara  County, 
N.  Y.  The  following  year  he  felt  it  to 
be  his  duty  to  go  with  the  Wesleyans  in 
the  organization  of  that  Church.  This 
movement  took  his  colleague  and  nearly 
the  whole  membership  of  the  circuit. 
During  sixteen  years  he  labored  with  this 
people,  when  failing  health  prompted  him 
to  settle  upon  a  farm  near  Rome,  Pa. 
Several  years  of  rest  so  far  recuperated 
him  as  to  cause  longings  for  W'Ork  in  his  chosen  profession.  The 
war  being  over,  and  the  issue  of  slavery  having  been  settled,  he 
sought  affiliations  with  the  mother  Church.  In  1868  he  was  re- 
ceived as  an  elder  by  the  Wyoming  Conference. 

In  1842  he  married  Miss  Lucinda  McEwin,  who  died  at  the 
home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  William  P.  Rockwell,  of  Rome,  Pa., 
on  October  2,  1901. 

On  the  14th  and  15th  of  October,  1873,  he  attended  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Owego  District  Ministerial  Association  at  West  Danby, 
before  which  he  read  an  able  article  upon  "Paul  Before  Agrippa." 
On  his  way  home,  accompanied  by  Rev.  George  Comfort,  he  tar- 
ried over  night  with  Mr.  Reuben  Meeker.  During  the  night  he 
was  attacked  by  disease.  Medical  skill  and  the  care  of  kind  friends 
were  unavailing.    He  died  at  4  p.  m.  of  October  16. 

His  fields  of  labor  in  Wyoming  Conference  were  as  follows: 
1868,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1869-70,  Factoryvillc,  Pa.;  1871-72,  Wind- 
ham; 1873,  Berkshire. 


Deceased  Preachers 


197 


HiORNS,  Richard,  was  born  on  July  27,  1831,  at  Edmonton, 
County  of  Middlesex,  England,  and  was  the  eleventh  of  fourteen 
children  born  to  William  and  Sarah  Hiorns.    From  four  until 
fourteen  he  attended  the  National  School 
at  Lower  Edmonton,  which  was  under 
the  control  of  the  Church  of  England. 
After  the  death  of  his  father  his  school 
work  was  interrupted  for  a  while.  He, 
however,  studied  at  home.  In  July,  1850, 
he  entered  the  British  and  Foreign  Nor- 
mal School,  a  nonsectarian  school  situ- 
ated at  Boro  Road,  London,  where  he 
spent  one  year,  after  which  he  was  eight 
months  in  a  branch  of  this  school  situ- 
ated in  Bristol.    In  June,  1852,  be  was 
sent  to  Paris  as  teacher  in  the  Boys' 
British  Free  School,  which  position  he 
retained  until  some  time  in  1858.    From        richard  hiorns 
this  time  until  he  came  to  the  United 

States,  in  1865,  he  was  employed  as  salesman,  clerk  in  a  bank,  and 
running  a  private  school. 

He  was  baptized  in  infancy,  and  confirmed  in  the  Church  of 
England  in  his  fifteenth  year.  About  the  time  of  his  confirmation 
he  was  converted,  largely  through  the  influence  of  his  mother  and 
a  faithful  Sunday  school  teacher.  In  the  fall  of  1861  he  joined  the 
Wesleyan  Church  in  Paris.  For  a  season  he  was  organist  in  this 
church  and  had  charge  of  the  music.  Shortly  after  joining  the 
Church  he  was  given  a  local  preacher's  license.  Early  in  his  re- 
ligious life  he  felt  called  to  the  ministry,  but  satisfied  himself  with 
the  thought  that  the  missionary  work  he  was  doing  in  Paris  ought 
to  satisfy  divine  command.  The  persistency  of  the  Spirit's  call 
ultimately  overcame  all  obstacles,  and  he  decided  to  give  himself 
wholly  to  the  ministry. 

When  he  came  to  this  country  he  settled  in  Newark  Valley.  In 
June  of  this  year  the  Quarterly  Conference  gave  him  a  local 
preacher's  license.  During  the  summer  months  he  preached  occa- 
sionally, worked  in  the  Sunday  school,  acted  as  organist  in  the 
church  during  the  sickness  of  the  regular  organist,  and  during  the 
week  worked  in  the  store  of  his  brother.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he 
served  three  months  as  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Five  Points 
House  of  Industry,  in  New  York.  In  1866  he  served  Fleming- 
ville,  N.  Y.,  as  supply,  and  in  1867  united  with  the  Wyoming 
Conference. 


Wyoming  Conference 


Failing  health  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  superannuate  in 
1886.  Since  which  time,  and  until  his  death,  on  October  24,  1901, 
he  resided  in  Scranton.  He  found  ample  opportunity  to  preach 
as  his  strength  would  permit,  and  taught  French  to  a  number  of 
classes,  being  a  fluent  and  accurate  speaker  of  that  language.  He 
is  buried  in  the  Dunmore  Cemetery. 

In  1861  he  married  Miss  Clarisse  Leontine  Laurent,  of  Paris, 
who  died  in  November,  1864,  leaving  a  little  son  two  years  and 
three  months  old,  who  now  lives  in  Scranton.  A  second  child  by 
this  wife,  Albert  W.,  lived  but  a  few  months.  On  April  8,  1866, 
he  married  Miss  Emily  Frances  Beecher,  of  Newark  Valley,  N.  Y. 
The  following  children  were  born  to  them :  Emile  E.  B.,  born 
November  19,  1868,  and  died  April  23,  1900 ;  Jessie  C,  born  July 
2,  1870,  now  the  wife  of  Charles  S.  Edwards ;  Harold  F.,  born 
May  15,  1881,  and  died  September  26,  1881. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1867,  Flemingville ;  1868, 
Newport;  1869,  Barton;  1870-71,  Plymouth,  N.  Y. ;  1872-73, 
Danby;  1874-75,  Jermyn ;  1876-77,  Narrowsburg;  1878,  Thomp- 
son; 1879-81,  Berkshire;  1882-84,  Peckville;  1885,  Yatesville; 
1886-1901,  sd. 


HoLBROOK,  Philip,  was  born  on  September  16,  1824,  in  Tims- 
bury,  Somerset,  England.  His  boyhood  was  in  Wesleyan  sur- 
roundings, and  at  eighteen  he  became  a  local  preacher.  A  few 
years  later  he  desired  to  go  to  Africa  as 
a  missionary :  but  being  married  pre- 
vented his  going,  as  the  Church  did  not 
then  send  out  married  men.  Leaving  one 
child  with  his  parents  temporarily,  he 
with  his  wife  and  baby  daughter  came  to 
this  country,  and  settled  at  Pittston.  His 
""""  ^^^^^  were  soon  discerned,  and  work  was 

^^^^^  --^^^J^^^      given  him.    In  1856  he  united  with  the 
|^H|^HbI^^^H^    Conference.    His  daughter,  Mrs.  Chap- 
^^^^^j^^^^ml    pell,  has  been  a  successful  missionary  in 
^^^^H^      Japan  for  a  number  of  years. 
^ft^^^H^^  In  1892  he  superannuated,  and  settled 

^^^^^^^  in  Lynn,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  His 

PHILIP  HOLBROOK        health  declined,  and  his  mental  powers 
were  disturbed.    On  June  2,  1901,  he 
died  and  went  to  the  land  where  there  are  no  hallucinations.  He 
was  buried  at  Lynn. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1856,  Newton;  1857-58,  Leh- 


Deceased  Preachers 


199 


man;  1859-60,  Northmoreland ;  1861-62,  Kirkwood ;  1863,  Har- 
pursville;  1864-65,  Vestal;  1866-67,  Caroline;  1868-69,  North 
Danby;  1870-71,  Brooklyn;  1872-74,  Rome;  1875-76,  Le  Rays- 
ville;  1877-79,  Springville;  1880,  Fairdale;  1881-83,  Jackson; 
1884-86,  Hawleyton;  1887-89,  Herrick  Center;  1890-91,  North 
Abington;  1892-1901,  sd. 

Hood,  Andrew  W.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Quebec,  Canada, 
August  18,  1850,  and  died  at  Athens,  Pa.,  January  i,  1883. 

His  father  was  for  many  years  an  efficient  local  preacher.  His 
mother,  a  devout  woman,  died  when  he  was  but  six  years  of  age. 
Some  time  after  the  mother's  death  the  father  moved  to  Montreal, 
where  he  became  a  wealthy  manufacturer.  As  Andrew  grew  to 
young  manhood  he  became  reckless.  He  left  home  in  1868,  went 
to  Oregon  and  California,  where  he  lived  riotously  over  two 
years,  and  returned  home  in  1870,  working  for  his  father  nearly 
a  year. 

He  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country,  but  soon  deserted  and 
fled  to  this  country.  Here  he  entered  the  United  States  cavalry 
service,  but  soon  deserted  this.  He  then  went  coasting  from  New 
York  city  to  cities  on  the  Southern  coast.  While  thus  engaged 
he  was  led  to  Christ  in  December,  1872.  Refusing  business  pro- 
posals from  his  father,  he  decided  to  enter  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry, and,  upon  the  advice  of  Rev.  William  Penn  Abbott,  entered 
Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  spent  three  years  in  diligent 
study. 

That  his  conversion  was  thorough  and  that  he  had  manly 
qualities  is  evidenced  from  the  fact  that  he  surrendered  him- 
self to  the  countries  he  had  sinned  against,  and  received 
their  pardon. 

On  March  24,  1875,  he  married  Miss  Carrie  E.  Marks,  daughter 
of  the  matron  of  the  seminary,  who  with  two  sons  survived 
him. 

After  supplying  Nanticoke  one  year  he  joined  Wyoming  Con- 
ference in  1876. 

His  pastoral  record  is  short:  1876,  West  Nicolson ;  1877-78, 
Rush;  1879,  Triangle;  1880-82,  Athens. 

His  biographer  in  the  Annual  Minutes  claims  him  to  have  been 
scholarly,  brilliant,  and  promising. 

Ingalls,  Rosman,  was  born  in  Ticonderoga,  N.  Y.,  December 
7,  1802,  and  died  in  Euclid,  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  October 
25,  1882. 


200 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  childhood  was  spent  in  Hardwick,  Vt.,  and  at  about  four- 
teen years  the  family  moved  to  Gibson, 
Pa.,  where  soon  after  the  boy  consecrated 
himself  to  Christ.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  engaged  in  farm  work.  His  scholastic 
preparation  for  life's  work  was  largely 
received  at  Harford  Academy  and  Caz- 
enovia  Seminary.  His  school  days  being 
over,  he  taught  school  for  a  number  of 
years  with  marked  success. 

He  joined  Oneida  Conference  in  1833, 
and  at  the  division  of  the  Oneida  and 
formation  of  Wyoming  Conference  he 
became  a  member  of  the  latter. 

After  his  superannuation  in  1857  he 
made  his  home  in  Gibson,  Pa.    Feeble  in 
health,  increasing  years  added  to  his 
feebleness,  and  soon  after  the  death  of  his  second  wife  he 
removed  to  Euclid,  N.  Y.,  where,  in  the  home  of  his  sister, 
he  passed  away. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Mrs.  E.  Ingalls,  died 
December  5,  1874.  He  afterward  married  a  sister  of  his  first  wife, 
who  preceded  him  some  months  to  the  golden  city. 

His  funeral  services  were  held  at  Gibson,  October  27,  1882,  and 
he  was  buried  there,  among  others  of  his  family. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1831-32,  Broome  (which  he 
served  as  supply  previous  to  joining  Wyoming  Conference)  ; 
1833,  Spencer;  1834,  Windsor;  1835,  Bainbridge ;  1836,  Greene; 
1837-38,  Brooklyn;  1839-40,  Cherry  Valley ;  1841-45,  Oneida  Mis- 
sion; 1846-51,  in  charge  of  Indian  Mission;  1852,  Broome;  1853- 
54,  Gibson;  1855,  sd. ;  1856,  Brooklyn;  1857-82,  sd. 


ROSMAX  INGALLS 


Johnson,  Thomas  F.,  was  born  in  Danbury,  Conn.,  August  28, 
1825,  and  died  at  Litchfield,  Bradford  Countv,  Pa.,  March  11, 
1874. 

He  was  converted  at  about  fifteen  years  of  age  under  the  labors 
of  Rev.  William  Bixby,  and  immediately  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  The  Candor  Quarterly  Conference  subse- 
quently gave  him  a  local  preacher's  license.  He  was  a  servant  of 
the  Church  in  the  capacity  of  local  preacher  more  than  twenty 
years,  frequently  serving  as  supply  under  the  presiding  elder.  In 
1872  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference  on  trial,  and  was  appointed 
to  Herrick,  on  the  Wyalusing  District.    Returning  from  a  visit 


Deceased  Preach eks 


20 1 


with  his  family  to  friends  in  Candor,  on  Wc(hicsday,  March  11, 
1874,  he  handed  the  hncs  to  his  wife,  saying-,  as  he  (Hd  so,  "I  feel 
faint."  Arriving  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Alanson  Munn,  he  was  as- 
sisted into  the  house,  where  he  died  in  about  thirty  minutes,  of 
heart  disease.  He  was  thus  suddenly  taken  away  but  a  short  time 
before  he  would  have  been  admitted  into  full  membership  in  the 
Conference. 

His  funeral  services  were  held  in  the  Candor  church,  Rev.  N.  S. 
Reynolds  preaching  the  sermon,  and  his  body  was  laid  in  the 
Candor  cemetery. 

JuDD,  Charles  Wesley,  was  born  in  Berkshire,  Tioga  County, 
N.  Y.,  January  30,  1829.  He  was  a  son  of  Rev.  Gaylord  Judd, 
and  brother  of  W.  J.  Judd.  Under  the  labors  of  Rev.  William 
Wyatt  he  was  led  to  Christ  when  but 
twelve  years  of  age.  He  spent  some 
time  in  the  Elmira  Academy  and  Caz- 
enovia  Seminary.  After  supplying  a 
year  on  the  Tioga  Circuit  he  went  to 
Charlotteville  Seminary. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in 
1854,  and  served  the  following  charges : 

1854,  Susquehanna    and    Lanesboro ; 

1855,  Choconut  Mission;  1856,  Spencer; 
1857-58,  Berkshire. 

In  1859  he  was  sent  to  India,  but  re- 
tained his  membership  in  this  Conference 
until  the  organization  of  the  India  Con- 
ference, in  1865,  when  he  was  trans-    charles  wesley  judd 
ferred  to  that  body.    He  spent  twenty 

years  of  eminently  successful  service  in  India,  highly  honored  by 
his  Conference. 

In  1879  he  returned  to  the  land  of  his  birth  on  account  of 
the  failing  health  of  his  wife.  He  died  very  suddenly  in  Wilkes- 
Barre  on  February  11,  1880,  where  he  had  gone  to  advocate  the 
cause  of  missions. 

He  lies  buried  in  the  Candor  cemetery,  with  a  number  of  his 
kindred. 

Judd,  Gaylord,  was  born  in  Watertown,  Litchfield  County, 
Conn.,  October  7,  1784.  His  parents  were  members  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  and  he  was  early  baptized  and  trained  to 


202 


Wyoming  Conference 


GAYLORD  JUDD 


habits  of  Christian  morahty.  In  the 
spring  of  1803  the  family  moved  to 
Windsor,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.  Here 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  became  asso- 
ciated with  a  Methodist  family,  whose  in- 
vitations led  him  to  their  services.  He 
soon  became  interested,  and  after  a 
painful  struggle,  which  lasted  several 
months,  he  was  led  into  the  liberty  of  the 
sons  of  God. 

After  conversion  his  activity  in  the  sal- 
vation of  sinners  led  the  Church  to  give 
him  a  local  preacher's  license  in  Septem- 
ber, 1809.  He  served  the  Church  in  this 
capacity  faithfully,  chiefly  in  Broome 
County,  without  fee,  about  twelve  years. 

In  1 82 1  he  joined  the  Genesee  Conference,  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  Oneida  and  Wyoming  Conferences  at  the  time  of  their 
organization. 

After  superannuation  he  settled  in  Candor,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
spent  the  sunset  of  life,  universally  loved.  He  died  March  6, 
1859,  very  suddenly,  being  upon  his  knees  in  prayer  when  the 
sumrrions  came,  and  lies  buried  in  Candor  cemetery,  with  a  num- 
ber of  his  Conference  brethren. 

He  gave  three  sons,  out  of  eight,  to  the  ministry — Ransom, 
who  died  before  he  was  thirty  years  of  age,  in  the  work  of  the 
far  West ;  Charles  Wesley,  for  a  season  a  member  of  this  Confer- 
ence, but  sent  to  India  in  1859,  where  he  spent  twenty  years  of 
successful  toil,  dying  shortly  after  his  return;  and  W.  J.  Judd, 
an  honored  member  of  this  Conference. 

W.  J.  Judd,  in  turn,  has  a  son  who  is  now  preaching  in  the 
Newark  Conference. 

His  fields  of  labor  were  as  follows : 
Tioga;  1823,  Wyoming;  1824,  Tioga; 
Caroline;  1828-29,  Berkshire;  1830,  Caroline;  1831-32,  Speeds- 
ville;  1833,  Spencer;  1834-35,  Candor;  1836,  Berkshire;  1837-38, 
Flemingville ;  1839-40,  Danby ;  1841-58,  sd.  From  1837-40,  he 
was  supernumerary,  but  supplied,  as  above. 


1 82 1,  Wyalusing;  1822, 
1825-26,  Broome;  1827, 


Kim  BERLIN,  John,  was  born  about  1781,  and  died  on  August 
6,  1853. 

All  too  Httle  is  known  of  this  man's  life.  No  memoir  was  ever 
published.    It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  we  have  no  record 


Deceased  Preachers 


203 


of  the  work  he  performed  upon  some  of  the  early  circuits.  He 
was  a  member  of  four  Conferences,  joining  Philadelphia  Con- 
ference in  1808,  and  becoming  a  member  of  Genesee,  Oneida,  and 
Wyoming  upon  their  organization. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1808,  Tioga;  1809,  Dover; 
1810,  Holland  Purchase;  181 1,  Canaan;  1812,  Wyoming;  1813, 
Seneca;  1814-15,  Ontario;  1816-17,  Cayuga;  1818,  sd. ;  1819, 
Cayuga;  1820,  Cortland;  1821-23,  sd. ;  1824-25,  Seneca;  1826, 
Cayuga;  1827,  Scipio ;  1828,  Marcellus ;  1829,  Caroline;  1830, 
Scipio;  1831,  Cortland;  1832-36,  sd. ;  1837,  sy. ;  1838-53,  sd. 

Keatley,  William,  was  born  in  Ireland,  on  January  28,  1828, 
and  died  in  Kingston,  Pa.,  on  June  7,  1896.  His  going  was  very 
sudden  indeed.  About  six  o'clock  he  entered  his  room  to  prepare 
for  evening  service,  it  being  Sunday.  He 
fell  to  the  floor.  Before  assistance  could 
reach  him  he  had  gone.  He  was  buried 
in  the  Hollenback  Cemetery,  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pa. 

He  was  the  son  of  a  Wesleyan  local 
preacher  and  school-teacher.  In  his 
childhood  he  was  confirmed  in  the  Church 
of  England.  In  after  years  this  did  not 
satisfy  him.  After  struggling  four  years 
with  conviction  for  sin,  and  in  searching 
for  pardon,  his  faith  triumphed  and  peace 
came. 

He  came  to  America  at  the  age  of 
twenty-five.  He  lived  in  Philadelphia 
about  two  years,  after  which  he  taught 

school  in  Schuylkill  County,  Pa.,  about  the  same  length  of  time. 
While  teaching  school  he  received  his  license  to  preach  and  de- 
cided to  enter  the  ministry.  Preparatory  to  this  he  entered  Wy- 
oming Seminary  in  1857,  boarding  himself  and  working  his  way 
through  the  institution. 

In  1859  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference  and  labored  contin- 
uously thirty-five  years  on  fields  demanding  self-sacrifice  and 
much  persistence. 

On  July  16,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Swallow,  a  sister 
of  Rev.  Miner  Swallow.  Two  children  were  born  to  them — Ed- 
win M.,  a  civil  engineer  in  the  South,  and  Rev.  William  J.,  a 
preacher  in  the  Newark  Conference,  who  died  on  November  4, 
1898.  The  wife  and  son  are  living  at  this  writing. 


204 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1859-60,  Newport;  1861-62, 
Plainsville;  1863-64,  Shepherd's  Creek;  1865-66,  North  Danby ; 
1867-68,  Barton;  1869-70,  Slaterville ;  1871,  Van  Ettenville ;  1872- 
74,  Little  Meadows;  1875-76,  Rome;  1877-79,  Herrick ;  1880-81, 
Northmoreland ;  1882-83,  Yatesville ;  1884-86,  Larksville ;  1887- 
89,  West  Nanticoke;  1890-92,  Wanamie;  1893,  Pringleville ;  1894, 
sy. ;  1895-96,  sd. 

Kennedy,  Samuel  S.,  was  born  in  Mount  Holly,  near  Carlisle, 
Northumberland  County,  Pa.,  on  November  20,  1823,  and  died  at 
his  home  in  Waverly,  Pa.,  on  May  2,  1898. 

At  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  attending 
a  camp  meeting,  he  sought  Christ  as  a 
Saviour.  In  his  young  manhood  he 
learned  the  shoemaker's  trade.  In  1845 
he  went  to  Carlisle  and  entered  the  pre- 
paratory school  of  Dickinson  College. 
While  here  he  organized  a  Sunday 
school  at  Carlisle  Iron  Works,  which  he 
superintended  three  years.  At  the  same 
time  he  served  the  Church  as  class  leader. 
After  spending  some  time  in  Carlisle 
teaching  and  attending  school  he  went  to 
Harrisburg  and  took  a  position  as  sales- 
man in  a  shoe  store.  In  1850  he  beca'me 
a2:ent  for  the  American  Tract  Societv, 

SAMUEL  S.  KENNEDY  1^1        i-^r-  tt 

and  canvassed  Columbia,  Marietta,  Har- 
risburg, and  other  towns. 

In  1 85 1  he  went  to  Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  taught 
some  classes,  at  the  same  time  pursuing  his  studies  preparatory 
to  the  ministry.  He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1853,  ^^'^^ 
stationed  at  Providence,  as  junior  preacher ;  1854,  Northmoreland  ; 
1855,  Kingston. 

While  serving  the  latter  charge  he  was  afflicted  with  clergy- 
man's sore  throat,  and  was  obliged  to  relinquish  the  work 
of  the  pastorate.  From  1856  to  1885  he  was  a  very  success- 
ful agent  of  the  Pennsylvania  Bible  Society,  and  from  1886 
until  death  an  agent  of  the  Luzerne  and  Lackawanna  Bible 
Societies. 

In  1858  he  married  Miss  Caroline  Miller,  of  Waverly,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Miller,  who  survived  him  until  Feb- 
ruary, 1902,  w^hen  she  passed  to  her  reward.  Husband  and  wife 
are  buried  in  Waverly,  Pa. 


Deceased  Preachers 


205 


Ken  YON,  RiciiAKu  L.,  was  born  in  Broome  County,  N.  Y.,  in 
1830,  and  died  in  Evans,  Weld  County,  Colo.,  on  February  11, 
1888. 

He  joined  Oneida  Conference  in  1854,  and  became  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference  witb  the  accession  of  Oneida  territory 
in  1869. 

His  going  West  was  for  the  purpose  of  securing  such  a  change 
of  climatic  environment  as  would  restore  lost  health.  He  lived 
a  number  of  years  in  Iowa,  and  later  in  Colorado.  In  both  States 
he  did  some  light  work. 

He  died  on  the  charge  he  last  served,  and  was  buried  in  the 
same  town. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1854,  Aurora;  1855,  Mc- 
Lean; 1856,  Pratt's  Hollow;  1857-58,  Georgetown;  1859,  Onon- 
daga Valley;  1860-61,  Pompey;  1862,  sd. ;  1863,  Jordanville ; 
1864-86,  sd.';  1887,  sy. 

Kinney,  William  B.,  was  born  in  Caroline,  Tompkins  County, 
N.  Y.,  on  April  17,  1828,  and  died  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  on 
December  20,  1891. 

He  was  reared  in  a  fervent  Methodist 
home,  early  began  to  pray,  was  con- 
verted in  his  fifteenth  year  during  a  re- 
vival held  in  a  schoolhouse  at  Breavly 
Hill,  N.  Y.,  and  immediately  joined  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Soon 
after  his  conversion  he  believed  himself 
called  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  The 
Church  soon  saw  gifts  and  licensed  him 
to  preach.  He  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence in  1853. 

He  served  his  country  in  the  army 
from  September,  1864,  until  discharged 
in  January,  1865,  on  account  of  sickness. 
He  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant 
of  Company  I  of  the  179th  Regiment  of  New  York  State 
Volunteers. 

On  July  8,  1849,  married  Miss  Lucy  Maria  Richardson,  of 
Erieville,  N.  Y.  Two  children  were  born  to  them,  Lucy  Evalyn 
and  Emma  Lovina  (now  Mrs.  Andrews).  The  wife  and  children 
survive  him.  He  was  buried  in  Maple  Grove  Cemetery,  in 
Candor,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1853,  Van  Ettcnville;  1854- 


206 


Wyoming  Conference 


55,  Litchfield;  1856-57,  Windham;  1858,  Orwell;  1859,  sy. ;  i860, 
Nichols;  1861-62,  North  Danby;  1863-64,  South  Danby;  1865, 
United  States  Army;  1866-68,  sy. ;  1869,  Spencer;  1870,  Van 
Ettenville;  1871,  Tallmansville ;  1872-73,  Slaterville;  1874-76, 
Berkshire;  1877,  Great  Bend;  1878-80,  Kirkwood;  1881,  Oak- 
land; 1882-83,  Osborne  Hollow  and  Port  Crane;  1884,  Greene; 
1885,  Chenango  Street,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. ;  1886-91,  sd. 


La  Bar,  John,  was  born  in  Pittston,  Pa.,  on  November  5, 
1824,  and  died  in  his  home  in  Wyoming,  Pa.,  on  September 
18,  1897. 

He  grew  up  to  manhood  in  the  community  of  his  birth,  and 
received  such  an  education  as  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  time  could  give 
him.  He  prepared  himself  for  teaching 
and  followed  that  profession  for  several 
years. 

He  was  converted  in  the  home  of  his 
wife's  parents  when  he  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  In  April,  1850,  he  received 
exhorter's  license,  and  in  1853  served  as 
assistant  pastor  on  Newton  charge.  In 
1854  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference. 
After  he  ceased  from  active  work  in  the 
ministry  he  settled  in  Wyoming,  where 
he  lived  until  death.  He  was  buried  in 
the  Forty  Fort  cemetery. 

During  his  ministry  he  saw  a  revival 
on  every  charge  he  served,  and  some  of  them  of  sweeping  influence 
and  power. 

On  December  31,  1846,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Ruggles,  of 
Plains,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  Nine  children  were  born  to  them, 
six  daughters  and  three  sons.  Four  of  the  daughters  preceded 
him  to  the  better  land.  The  wife  and  balance  of  the  children 
tarry  here. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1854-55,  Newton;  1856-57, 
Northmoreland ;  1858-59,  Trucksville ;  1860-61,  Newton;  1862-63, 
Nicholson;  1864-65,  Wyoming;  1866-68,  Carverton;  1869-71, 
Plymouth,  Pa.;  1872-74,  Lackawanna;  1875-76,  Dunmore ;  1877- 
79,  Forty  Fort;  1880-97,  sy. 


JOHN  LA  BAR 


Leach,  George  W.,  was  born  on  December  22,  1821,  in  the 
town  of  Conklin,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.    He  was  of  English 


Deceased  Preachers 


207 


ancestry,  the  family  name  being  established  in  this  country  in 
1629.  His  grandfather  was  a  captain  in 
the  American  army  during  the  War  of 
the  Revolution.  He  was  next  to  the 
youngest  in  a  family  of  eleven  children. 
At  about  ten  years  of  age  he  was  left  an 
orphan  and  went  to  live  with  an  uncle  in 
Gibson,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  six 
years.  Of  this  period  he  says,  "Hard 
work  and  limited  school  opportunities 
were  not  the  worst  of  my  experiences  at 
this  time."  In  May,  1837,  he  left  this 
place  and  engaged  as  hostler  and  bar- 
tender in  a  country  tavern.  The  next 
summer  he  worked  on  a  farm  and  had, 
as  a  part  of  his  wages,  a  term  of  school- 
ing in  Franklin  Academy,  at  Harford, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  At  the  close  of  the  term  E.  D.  Owen, 
a  licentiate,  preached  to  the  class,  and  at  the  close  of  his  sermon 
asked  those  who  would  agree  to  meet  him  in  heaven  to  arise.  Mr. 
Leach  arose,  with  others.  This  promise  he  never  forgot,  and  at  a 
revival,  where  Kirkwood  now  stands,  in  1840,  he  gave  himself  to 
Christ. 

During  the  winter  of  1841-42  he  taught  school  in  Damascus, 
Wayne  County,  working  in  the  summer  laying  fence  wall  and 
doing  farm  work,  and  in  the  fall  of  1842  returned  to  Franklin 
Academy.  In  the  meantime  he  had  received  exhorter's  license 
from  the  Honesdale  church.  In  the  winter  of  1843-44  he  taught 
a  select  school  in  Gibson,  Pa.  He  had  hoped  to  enter  the  min- 
istry on  the  self-supporting  plan,  and,  accordingly,  had  studied 
surveying.  In  the  summer  of  1844  he  was  granted  a  local  preach- 
er's license,  and  offered  the  position  of  junior  preacher  on  Orwell 
Circuit.  His  disinclination  to  enter  the  ministry  prompted  him  to 
go  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  until  Christmas,  when  he 
went  to  New  York,  where  he  secured  work  in  the  Book  Concern 
as  errand  man.  A  sailor  church  having  been  organized  near  his 
boarding  place,  he  united  with  it.  Subsequently,  when  the  Five 
Points  Mission  started,  he  transferred  his  membership  there,  at 
the  request  of  Joseph  Longking.  In  1845  his  former  classmate, 
George  H.  Blakeslee,  invited  him  to  become  his  helper  on  Vestal 
Circuit.  He  accepted  the  work,  shipped  his  trunk  by  canal,  and, 
dressed  in  Kentucky  jean,  without  overcoat  or  watch,  walked 
from  New  York  to  Vestal.    During  1846  he  served  as  supply 


208 


Wyoming  Conference 


junior  preacher  on  Lisle  Circuit,  and  the  following  year  (1847) 
joined  the  Oneida  Conference,  becoming  a  member  of  Wyoming 
Conference  at  its  organization. 

On  August  23,  1849,  he  married  Miss  Juliet  A.  Tallman,  of 
Tallmansville,  Pa.,  who  died  on  September  27,  1873.  Five  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them — Myron  P.,  Lucinda  J.,  George  Edwin, 
George  Sidney,  and  William  E.  Lucinda  J.  and  William  E.  are 
the  onlv  ones  now  living.  On  November  4,  1874,  he  married  Mrs. 
M.  C.  blmstead,  of  Nichols,  N.  Y. 

After  retiring  from  active  work,  in  1886,  he  resided  at  Oakland, 
Pa.,  where  he  died  on  September  16,  1902.  He  was  buried  at 
Nichols,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1847-48,  Lanesboro;  1849, 
Montrose;  1850-51,  Dundafif;  1852,  Salem;  1853-54,  Sanford ; 
1855-60,  local;  1861,  local,  supply  at  Tallmansville;  1862-63,  New- 
ton; 1864-65,  Windham;  1866-67,  Broome;  1868-72,  sy. ;  1873, 
supply  at  Riley ville;  1874,  Riley ville;  1875-77,  sy. ;  1878,  local; 
1879-80,  sd. ;  1881-82,  sy. ;  supply  at  Maple  Grove;  1883,  Maple 
Grove;  1884-85,  Oakland;  1886-87,  sy. ;  1888-1902,  sd. 

Legg,  Judsox  L.,  died  at  his  father's  home  in  Speedsville,  N.  Y., 
August  30,  187 1,  aged  forty-three  years.  He  was  led  into  Christ's 
kingdom  at  twenty-three  years  of  age,  under  the  labors  of  Rev. 

J.  M.  Grimes.  Some  two  years  after 
his  conversion  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sabra  E.  Clark,  who  proved  a  true  help- 
meet. Subsequently  he  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business.  Up  to  about  1859  his 
religious  life  was  not  pronounced,  rather 
indifferent.  At  this  time  a  deeper  work 
of  grace  brought  liberty  and  new  duties. 
He  abandoned  business,  and  at  once 
sought  to  retrieve  lost  opportunities  by 
study.  He,  with  his  wife,  went  to  Caze- 
novia  Seminary,  where  he  spent  some 
time  most  diligently  pursuing  such 
studies  as  would  prepare  him  for  the 
ministry.  In  1861  he  joined  Wyoming 
Conference,  and  was  stationed  at  Speeds- 
ville, N.  Y.,  his  former  home. 

In  1868,  shortly  after  he  had  successfully  begun  his  work  at 
Montrose,  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  it.  After  a  few  months 
of  residence  in  Montrose,  after  resigning  from  the  pastorate,  he 


Deceased  Preachers 


209 


moved  to  Spcedsville  and  patiently  awaited  the  culmination  of 
his  pulmonary  disease. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1861,  Speedsville;  1862-63, 
Windham;  1864-65,  Sterlingville ;  1866-67,  Tunkhannock;  186S, 
Montrose;  1869,  sd. 

His  wife  preceded  him  to  the  heavenly  country  about  one  year. 

LooMis,  Abraham  W.,  was  born  on  August  12,  1824,  at  Round 
Lake,  N.  Y.,  and  died  at  the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Clara 
Drummorid,  in  Cortland,  N.  Y.,  on  September  10,  1901. 

When  about  twelve  years  of  age  his 
people  moved  to  Windham,  Pa.,  where 
he  spent  his  early  years.  When  twenty- 
two  years  of  age  he  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Ward,  who  died  on  May  28,  1886. 
Eight  children  were  born  to  them;  four 
of  these,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  are 
still  living.  In  1853  he  united  with  the 
Conference.  In  1892  he  became  a  super- 
annuate, and  lived  with  his  son,  Albert 
E.,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  for  some  time. 
For  a  while  he  lived  in  Spencer,  and  but 
a  short  time  before  death  went  to  his 
daughter's  in  Cortland. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1853,     Abraham  w.  loomis 
Rome;  1854-55,  Van  Ettenville;  1856- 

57,  Tioga;  1858-59,  Flemingville ;  i860,  South  Danby;  1861-62, 
Harpursville ;  1863-65,  Maine;  1866-67,  Orwell;  1868-70,  Castle 
Creek;  1871-73,  Lisle;  1874-76,  Slaterville;  1877-79,  Windham; 
1880-81,  North  Tioga;  1882,  Clifford;  1883-84,  Damascus;  1885, 
sy. ;  1886,  sd. ;  1887-88,  Decatur;  1889-90,  Ouaquaga;  1891, 
Cooperstown  Junction  and  Portlandville ;  1892-1901,  sd. 

Lewis,  George  Chapman,  was  born  on  October  10,  1851,  at 
Montrose,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  and  died  at  his  home  in 
Bradford,  McKean  County,  Pa.,  on  January  6,  1890. 

He  was  converted  while  attending  Wyoming  Seminary,  on 
January  21,  1877,  and  at  once  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Soon  after  his  conversion  he  believed  himself  called  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry.  After  completing  his  studies  at  Wy- 
oming Seminary,  he  pursued  a  three-years'  course  of  study  at 
Drew  Theological  Seminary. 
14 


210 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1882  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference  and  was  appointed  to 
Avoca,  where  he  remained  two  years.  In  1884  he  was  sent  to 
Hampton  Street,  where  he  labored  three  years.  In  1887  his  fail- 
ing health  caused  him  to  take  a  supernumerary  relation  and  seek 
a  restoration  to  health  by  change  of  climate.  It  seemed  useless. 
In  1888  he  superannuated,  bravely  struggling  with  disease  until 
the  end  came. 

On  June  12,  1884,  he  married  Miss  Kate  A.  Flock,  of  Avoca, 
who  survived  him  until  January  5,  1895,  when  she  died  of  con- 
sumption. Two  daughters  survive  them.  Both  of  the  parents 
are  buried  at  Bradford,  Pa. 


Lynch,  William  R.,  was  born  in  Bainbridge,  Chenango 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Augusta,  Ga.,  February  25,  1871, 
aged  forty-five  years. 

He  united  with  the  Oneida  Conference 
in  1854,  and  came  into  the  Wyoming 
Conference  when  some  of  the  Oneida 
territory  came  thither.  Shortly  after  the 
Conference  of  1869  consumption  so  far 
developed  as  to  cause  him  to  leave  his 
work  and  seek  a  more  helpful  climate. 
In  the  autumn  he  moved  to  Edgefield, 
S.  C.  This  was  futile ;  the  change  did 
not  arrest  the  disease.  In  January,  1871, 
he  moved  to  Augusta,  Ga.,  and  remained 
with  his  brother  there  until  death  en- 
sued. He  lies  buried  in  the  Augusta 
cemetery. 

He  was  converted  at  sixteen  years  of 
age  at  Morris,  N.  Y.,  under  the  labors  of 
His  early  advantages  were  very  limited,  and 
not  until  he  reached  manhood  did  he  have  the  privileges  of  school 
and  study. 

His  marriage  occurred  in  December,  1852.  Three  children  were 
born  to  them ;  one.  Rev.  J.  Hollister,  is  rector  of  Trinity  Church, 
of  Ottumwa,  la. 

Mrs.  Lynch  died  at  her  daughter's.  Miss  Emma  J.  Lynch,  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  on  April  13,  1902. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1854,  Scipio ;  1855-56, 
Westville;  1857,  Sharon  Springs;  1858-59,  Decatur;  1860-61, 
Otego;  1862-63,  Schuyler's  Lake;  1864-65,  Hartwick ;  1866, 
Frey's  Bush;  1867-68,  Edmeston;  1869,  South  New  Berlin. 


WILLIAM  R.  LYNCH 


Rev.  F.  D.  Higgins. 


Deceased  Preachers 


211 


Marcy,  N.  B.,  was  born  in  Tunkhannock  in  183 1.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-one  he  was  born  again  under  the  ministrations  of  Rev. 
F.  S.  Chubbuck.  Soon  after  his  conversion  he  felt  a  call  to  the 
ministry,  and  immediately  began  preparation  for  this  work.  For 
a  few  years  he  both  attended  and  taught  school.  He  was  given 
exhorter's  license  in  1854,  and  local  preacher's  license  in  1856.  In 
i860  he  was  admitted  into  Wyoming  Conference  on  trial,  and 
ordained  deacon.  His  first  year  of  service  was  at  Little  Meadows, 
and  his  second  begun,  but  never  finished,  on  Litchfield  Circuit. 
During  the  fall  and  early  winter  he  was  conducting  a  very  success- 
ful series  of  evangelistic  meetings,  in  the  midst  of  which  he  was 
taken  sick,  and  in  ten  days  died,  his  death  occurring  in  Ghent, 
Bradford  County,  Pa.,  on  December  28,  1861.  He  lies  in  the 
cemetery  of  Forkston,  Pa. 

In  1855  he  was  married  to  Miss  Fanny  E.  Burgess,  of  Forkston, 
Pa.,  who  with  two  children  survived  him. 

Mevis,  John  W.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Caroline,  Tompkins 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  January  9,  1835,  and  died  in  Oxford,  Chenango 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  April  27,  1896.  His  departure  was  sudden  and 
painless.  After  reading  Scripture  and 
offering  prayer,  just  after  breakfast,  a 
change  came  over  him  as  he  sat  in  his 
chair.  He  folded  his  arms  over  his 
breast,  closed  his  eyes,  and,  without  a 
struggle,  a  word,  or  a  sigh,  passed  away. 
He  was  buried  at  Oxford,  N.  Y.,  in 
which  village  he  lived  after  his  superan- 
nuation until  death. 

He  was  orphaned  in  early  boyhood, 
and  at  about  nine  years  of  age  was  re- 
ceived into  the  home  of  his  mother's 
brother,  James  Eaton,  of  Lisbon,  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until 
sixteen  years  of  age,  his  uncle  dying  in 
the  meantime. 

When  thirteen  years  of  age  he  attended  a  camp  meeting  at 
Bowe  Hill,  a  short  distance  above  Laurens,  in  Otsego  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  led  to  consecrate  himself  to  Christ.  Soon  after 
his  conversion  he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at 
Mount  Vision,  N.  Y. 

At  seventeen  years  of  age  he  entered  a  tin  shop  in  Laurens, 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  as  an  apprentice.   His  employer  dying,  he 


212 


Wyoming  Conference 


went  to  Oneonta  and  engaged  himself  for  two  years  to  J.  P.  & 
S.  P.  Van  Woert,  tinners.  During  these  years  he  was  resisting 
the  call  of  the  Church  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  At  last  he  sur- 
rendered himself  to  God's  call.  Preparatory  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  he  spent  some  time  in  Cooperstown  Seminary  and  in 
Cazenovia  Seminary. 

In  1859  he  joined  Oneida  Conference  and  became  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference  with  the  accession  of  Oneida  territory 
in  1869. 

On  April  10,  i860,  he  married  Miss  Darlisca  White,  of  Ames, 
N.  Y.,  who  survived  him.  To  them  was  born  a  daughter,  who 
preceded  him  by  a  few  months  to  the  better  land. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1859,  Schuyler's  Lake;  1860- 
61,  Worcester;  1862-63,  Edmeston;  1864-65,  Westford ;  1866,  sy. ; 
1867-69,  Laurens;  1870,  Morris;  1871-73,  Otego;  1874,  Plym- 
outh, N.  Y.  •  1875-76,  Butternuts;  1877-79,  Unadilla;  1880-81, 
Great  Bend;  1882,  Plains;  1883-85,  Oxford;  1886,  Sherburne; 
1887-89,  East  Worcester;  1890,  Milford;  1891,  Milford  and  West- 
ville;  1892,  Clinton  Street,  Binghamton;  1893-96,  sd. 

MuLKEY,  John,  was  born  at  Stonington,  Conn.,  in  1804,  and 
died  near  Montrose,  Pa.,  April  22,  1877. 

He  was  converted  on  the  Pike  Circuit  in  1833.  After  having 
been  a  local  preacher  several  years  he  united  with  the  Oneida  Con- 
ference on  trial  in  1841,  and  became  a  member  of  this  Conference 
at  its  organization.  He  was  orphaned  by  his  father's  death  in  the 
War  of  181 2,  and  consequently  had  but  a  limited  chance  for 
schooling.  Six  months  only  was  he  permitted  the  privilege  of  a 
common  school.  However,  by  studious  habits  he  mastered  the 
Greek  and  Hebrew  languages. 

On  September  4,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Hannah  Jones,  of 
Kingston,  Pa.,  who  died  on  March  15,  1886,  at  the  residence  of 
her  son,  William,  in  Eairdale,  Pa.  Three  children  were  born  to 
them — William  A.,  James  A.,  and  John  H.  Husband  and  wife 
lie  side  by  side  in  the  Fairdale  cemetery. 

In  1853  he  suffered  a  stroke  of  paralysis,  from  which  he  so  far 
recovered  as  to  be  able  to  do  considerable  labor  until  1875,  when 
a  second  stroke  impaired  all  his  faculties. 

His  fields  of  labor  were  the  following:  1841,  Barton;  1842, 
Abington;  1843,  Canaan;  1844-45,  Xorthmoreland ;  1846-47, 
Lackawanna;  1848,  Springville  and  Tunkhannock;  1849,  Spring- 
ville ;  1850-51,  Montrose;  1852,  Le  Raysville;  1853,  Flemingville ; 
1854-58,  located;  1859,  readmitted  and  made  sy. ;  1860-77, 


Deceased  Preachers 


213 


Neff,  Alvin  J.,  was  born  on  September  21,  1870,  at  Madison, 
N.  Y.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Pennington  Seminary  and  Syracuse 
University,  and  spent  some  time  in  study  at  the  Boston  School  of 


Theology.  He  was  converted  at  Madi- 
son in  1887,  and  joined  the  Church  at 
once.  He  served  North  Norwich  two 
years  as  supply,  while  in  his  studies  at 
Syracuse,  and  just  prior  to  joining  Wy- 
oming Conference  in  1897.  On  August 
ID,  1898,  he  married  Miss  Maude  E. 
Holliday,  of  North  Norwich,  N.  Y.  He 
died  on  November  21,  1902,  from  a 
stroke  of  apoplexy,  and  was  buried  in 
Madison,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows : 
1897,  North  Norwich;  1898-99,  Exeter; 
1900-01,     Smyrna;     1902,  Davenport 


Center.  alvin  j.  neff 


Nelson,  Reuben,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Andes,  N.  Y.,  December 
13,  1818,  and  died  in  New  York  city,  from  paralysis,  on  February 
20,  1879.  His  remains  were  laid  away  in  the  beautiful  cemetery 
at  Forty  Fort. 

He  was  converted  at  the  age  of  fifteen, 
licensed  to  exhort  the  following  year,  and 
at  seventeen  was  a  local  preacher.  His 
academic  studies  were  pursued  at  Flart- 
wick  Seminary,  a  Lutheran  school  in 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  In  1840  he  joined 
Oneida  Conference  and  was  assigned 
work  on  Otsego  Circuit,  and  the  year  fol- 
lowing on  Westford  Circuit.  During 
both  these  years  he  was  performing  the 
duties  of  principal  of  Otsego  Academy  at 
Cooperstown.  He  received  deacon's  or- 
ders and  was  received  into  full  member- 
ship in  the  Conference  in  1842  and  ap- 
pointed principal  of  the  same  school. 
At  the  founding  of  Wyoming  Seminary  in  1844  he  was  called 
to  the  principalship  of  the  school.  With  the  exception  of  two 
years,  in  which  he  was  presiding  elder  on  Wyoming  District,  he 
continued  to  serve  the  school  in  this  capacity  with  distinguished 
ability  and  succe3s  until  1872. 


REUBEN  NELSON 


214 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1872  he  was  elected  one  of  the  agents  of  the  Methodist  Book 
GDncern  in  New  York.  He  was  also  elected  treasurer  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Society,  which  office  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

He  served  his  Conference  as  secretary  ten  years,  and  in  turn 
was  elected  delegate  to  General  Conference  five  times,  to  wit,  i860, 
1864,  1868,  1872,  1876.  The  last  three  times  he  led  the  delega- 
tion. At  the  General  Conference  of  1876  he  was  made  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  episcopacy. 

He  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  from  Union  College,  and  D.D. 
from  Dickinson  College. 

In  whatever  capacity  he  served  the  Church  his  ability  made  him 
conspicuous  and  honored.  He  will  ever  be  regarded  as  among 
the  great  men  of  Wyoming  Conference,  and  as  having  had  much 
to  do  with  the  development  of  Wyoming  Seminary. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1840,  Otsego  Circuit,  with 
M.  Marvin  and  William  Bixby ;  1841,  Westford ;  1842,  Otsego 
Academy;  1843,  sd. ;  1844-61,  Principal  of  Wyoming  Seminary; 
1862-63,  Presiding  Elder  of  Wyoming  District;  1864-67,  Prin- 
cipal of  Wyoming  Seminary;  1868,  Presiding  Elder  of  Wyoming 
District  and  Principal  of  Wyoming  Seminary;  1869-71,  Principal 
of  Wyoming  Seminary;  1872-79, 'Agent  of  Xew  York  Book 
Concern. 


Olin,  William  H.,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Laurens,  Otsego  County, 
N.  Y.,  on  January  5,  1821,  and  died  at  Dexter,  Mich.,  on  Septem- 
ber 16,  1889,  while  en  route  to  a  reunion  of  his  kindred  at  Gales- 
burg,  in  the  same  State.  He  was  buried 
in  the  cemetery  at  Oneonta,  N.  Y. 

In  his  young  manhood  he  studied  at 
Cazenovia  Seminary,  and  was  nearly 
heartbroken  when  straitened  circum- 
stances forced  him  to  return  home  be- 
fore completing  the  course  of  study. 
Subsequently  he  studied  law,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1844.  In  six 
years  he  built  up  a  fine  practice,  and 
achieved  an  enviable  reputation. 

It  was  at  this  point  in  his  history  that 
his  conversion  occurred.  In  1849  a  re- 
vival was  in  progress  in  Oneonta,  being 
conducted  by  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle,  and 
the  services  were  attended  by  Mr.  Olin, 
'a  lawyer  of  marked  ability  and  influence  in  the  town."   We  will 


WILLIAM  H.  OLIN 


Deceased  Preachers 


215 


give  the  account  of  this  remarkable  conversion  as  found  in  Rev. 
A.  B.  Earle's  book  Bringing  in  Sheaves: 

"One  evening,  at  the  close  of  the  sermon,  when  an  opportunity 
was  given  for  remarks,  Mr.  Olin  rose,  and  in  a  bold  and  defiant 
tone  said,  'Mr.  Earle,  I  have  heard  you  speak  repeatedly  in  these 
meetings  of  the  power  of  prayer,  and  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it ; 
but  if  you  want  to  try  a  hard  case,  take  me.'  I  said,  'Mr.  Olin, 
if  you  will  come  to  the  front  seat,  we  will  pray  for  you  now.' 
He  replied,  'I  will  do  nothing  of  the  kind ;  but  if  you  have  power 
in  prayer,  try  it  on  me.' 

"Before  closing  the  meeting  I  requested  all  who  were  willing 
to  go  to  their  closets  at  a  given  hour,  and  pray  earnestly  for  Mr. 
Olin ;  and  I  requested  him  to  remember,  at  that  hour,  that  we 
were  praying  for  him. 

"The  second  or  third  evening  after  this  Mr.  Olin  rose  in  our 
meeting  and  urged  us  to  pray  for  him.  I  asked  him  if  he  would 
come  forward  and  let  us  pray  with  him ;  he  said,  'Yes,  anywhere, 
if  God  will  only  have  mercy  on  so  great  a  sinner.'  In  a  few  days 
he  was  a  rejoicing  Christian." 

At  the  time  of  his  conversion  and  determination  to  enter  the 
ministry  he  was  the  probable  candidate  of  the  district  for  Con- 
gress for  the  Republican  Party.  About  the  same  time  "he  was 
approached  by  a  representative  of  a  legal  firm  in  New  York  city, 
having  an  extensive  practice,  who  offered  him  a  copartnership  in 
their  business."  The  alluring  temptations  were  powerless.  He 
was  licensed  to  preach,  and  in  185 1  joined  the  Oneida  Confer- 
ence. When  the  Oneida  Conference  was  divided  he  became  a 
member  of  the  Central  New  York  Conference,  and  in  1869  was 
transferred  to  Wyoming  Conference. 

Honors  came  to  him  rapidly.  In  1866  Wesleyan  University 
conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  A.M.,  and  in  1878  Syracuse 
honored  itself  by  giving  him  the  degree  of  D.D.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  General  Conference  consecutively  from  i860  to  1888. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Book  Committee,  and  also  of  the  Gen- 
eral Missionary  Committee  for  some  time.  During  his  term  of 
service  as  presiding  elder  on  the  Binghamton  District,  1884-87, 
he  was  elected  member  of  Assembly  from  Broome  one  term,  hav- 
ing been  nominated  by  the  Prohibitionists  and  indorsed  by  the 
Republicans. 

He  had  a  striking  and  impressive  personality,  and  was  an 
orator  of  the  Websterian  type.  He  was  preeminently  an  admin- 
istrator,  a   man   of   excellent   judgment   and  comprehensive 


2l6 


Wyoming  Conference 


thought.  One  biographer  places  him  among  the  triumvirate  of 
Wyoming  Conference — George  Peck,  Reuben  Nelson,  William 
H.  Olin. 

He  was  twice  married — in  1846  to  Miss  Emily  A.  Reed,  of 
Oneonta,  and  on  February  4,  1857,  to  Miss  Melissa  E.  Watkins, 
of  the  same  place,  who  survived  him  until  January  12,  1898, 
when  she  passed  away.  She  was  buried  by  the  side  of  her  hus- 
band at  Oneonta,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1851-52,  Deansville;  1853, 
Madison;  1854-55,  Stockbridge;  1856-57,  Aurora  Street,  Ithaca; 
1858-59,  Corn  Hill,  Utica;  1860-61,  Norwich;  1862-64,  Presiding 
Elder  on  Chenango  District;  1865-68,  Presiding  Elder  on  Oneida 
District;  1869-71,  Centenary  Church,  Binghamton;  1872-73, 
Waverly,  N.  Y. ;  1874-76,  Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1877- 
80,  Presiding  Elder  on  Wyoming  District;  1881-83,  Centenary 
Church,  Binghamton;  1884-87,  Presiding  Elder  on  Binghamton 
District;  1888-89,  Presiding  Elder  on  Oneonta  District. 

Olmstead,  De  Witt  Clinton,  A.M.,  was  born  in  Nichols, 
Tioga  County,  N.  Y.,  on  May  15,  1826,  and  died  at  Nanticoke, 
Pa.,  on  October   12,   1888.     His  body  was  laid  to  rest  in 

Spring  Forest  Cemetery,  in  Binghamton, 
N.  Y. 

He  was  converted  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen during  a  revival  at  Briggs  Hollow, 
on  the  Nichols  charge.  He  was  licensed 
to  exhort  on  May  15,  1844,  and  in  June, 
1845,  he  received  local  preacher's  license. 
In  1848  he  joined  the  Oneida  Conference, 
and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference at  its  organization. 

His  early  advantages  were  limited,  and 
he  was  early  in  life  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources.  He  arranged  with  his  father 
for  his  time,  took  possession  of  an  unused 
DE  WITT  c.  OLMSTEAD  log  housc,  which  stood  ucar  his  father's 
home,  and  began  to  study,  having  the 
ministry  in  view.  Scoffs  and  jeers  did  not  turn  him  aside  from 
his  cherished  purpose,  and  his  perserverance  soon  began  to  show 
itself  in  results,  as  growing  interest  was  felt  in  his  sermons  and 
prayers. 

His  brother,  John  Wesley  Olmstead,  D.D.,  occupied  a  promi- 
nent position  among  New  England  Baptists,  being  editor  of  The 


Deceased  Preachers 


217 


Watchman  forty  years.  Nearly  half  a  century  he  occupied  a  con- 
spicuous place  in  the  Baptist  denomination. 

He  was  honored  by  his  brethren  of  the  Conference.  Twice  he 
represented  them  in  General  Conference,  first  in  1872,  and  again 
in  1888.  He  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Conference,  and  sec- 
retary of  the  board  of  trustees  at  the  time  of  his  death.  In 
1865  Lafayette  College  complimented  him  with  the  honorary 
degree  of  A.M. 

He  was  twice  married — first  to  Miss  Emma  E.  Bailey,  of  Le 
Raysville,  Pa.,  of  whom  he  was  bereaved  after  twenty  years  of 
married  life;  and  second  to  Miss  Emma  J.  Lane,  of  Montrose, 
who  was  preceptress  of  the  Claverack  Seminary  on  the  Hudson 
at  the  time  of  marriage.  Two  children  were  born  to  him  by  the 
first  wife,  a  daughter  and  son.  The  son.  Rev.  E.  B.  Olmstead, 
D.D.,  now  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  began  his  ministry  in  the 
Wyoming  Conference  and  was  its  efficient  secretary  from  1892- 
1896. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1847,  Geneva  Mission;  1848, 
Le  Raysville;  1849-50,  Brooklyn,  Pa.;  1851,  Tunkhannock;  1852- 
53,  Canaan;  1854,  Honesdale;  1855-56,  Candor;  1857-58,  Danby; 
1859,  Caroline  and  Speedsville;  i860,  Windsor;  1861-62,  Court 
Street,  Binghamton ;  1863,  Abington;  1864,  Union,  N.  Y. ;  1865- 
66,  Windsor;  1867-70,  Presiding  Elder  on  Wyalusing  District; 
1871-74,  Presiding  Elder  on  Honesdale  District;  1875-76,  Wav- 
erly,  N.  Y. ;  1877-78,  Central  Church,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1879-81, 
Milford;  1882-84,  Oneonta;  1885-86,  Pittston;  1887-88,  Nanti- 
coke. 

Paddock,  James  H.,  was  born  in  Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  August 
28,  1839.  I"  1859  he  embraced  Christianity  and  joined  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church.  He  subsequently  entered  the  ministry 
of  that  Church,  laboring  on  Albany,  Canaan,  Sterling,  and  Auburn 
Circuits  with  acceptability.  In  1872  he  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence on  trial  and  was  sent  to  Stoddartsville,  and  in  1873  ap- 
pointed to  Newport.  His  labors  during  the  winter  on  this  charge 
were  blessed  with  a  good  revival.  But  a  little  while  before  he 
would  have  been  received  into  full  membership  in  the  Conference 
he  died  from  the  effect  of  an  accidental  pistol  shot,  on  March 
30,  1874. 

Paddock,  Zachartah,  D.D.,  was  born  on  December  20,  1798, 
in  Northampton,  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Bing- 
hamton, N.  Y.,  July  4,  1879. 


2l8 


Wyoming  Conference 


He  became  a  Christian  in  his  eight- 
eenth year,  having  been  awakened  under 
the  preaching  of  Bishop  McKendree.  In 
1818  he  was  hcensed  to  preach,  and  in 
the  same  year  joined  the  Genesee  Con- 
ference. 

His  ministerial  hfe  was  very  long  and 
extremely  successful.  He  was  fifty-two 
years  in  the  effective  rank,  in  which  time 
he  was  five  years  on  circuits,  twenty-five 
on  stations,  and  twenty-two  in  the  pre- 
siding eldership. 

He  found  time  for  careful  study,  wrote 
quite  extensively  for  papers  and  periodi- 


zACHARiAH  PADDOCK  cals,  aud  was  at  one  time  editor  of  the 
Auburn  Banner,  the  paper  which  pre- 
ceded the  Northern  Christian  Advocate.  In  1870  he  published  a 
i2mo  memoir  of  his  brother.  Rev.  B.  G.  Paddock.  He  also  pub- 
lished a  pamphlet  on  the  Obligation  of  the  Christian  Church  to 
Support  the  Christian  Ministry. 

In  1845  he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from 
Union  College. 

He  was  a  delegate  to  General  Conference  in  1868,  and  in  1864 
was  one  of  the  reserves. 

He  preached  a  semicentennial  sermon  of  great  interest  before 
the  Wyoming  Conference  on  April  9,  1868,  from  i  Thess.  v,  21. 
It  was  afterward  published  by  request  of  the  Conference. 

In  1870,  at  his  own  request,  he  was  made  superannuate.  The 
Conference  was  deeply  moved,  passed  complimentary  resolutions, 
and  presented  him  a  purse  of  five  hundred  dollars.  In  his  will  it 
was  found  that  he  had  used  only  the  interest  of  this,  and  had 
given  the  principal  to  the  Conference,  the  interest  of  which  goes 
to  the  Conference  claimants. 

He  was  peculiarly  lovable,  and  his  name  was  a  "synonym  for 
gentleness,  sweetness,  and  purity."  So  fondly  was  he  loved  by 
the  people  of  Binghamton  that  friends  placed  a  beautiful  bust  of 
him  in  Centenary  Church  of  that  city. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1818,  Ridgeway;  1819, 
Sweden;  1820,  Batavia ;  1821,  French  Creek;  1822,  Buffalo; 
1823,  Watertown;  1824,  Westmoreland;  1825,  Paris  and  Utica; 
1826,  Utica;  1827-28,  Rochester;  1829-30,  Cazenovia;  1831-32, 
Ithaca;  1833-34,  Utica;  1835,  Auburn;  1836-37,  Presiding  Elder 
of  Cayuga  District;  1838-41,  Presiding  Elder  of  Oneida  District; 


Deceased  Preachers 


219 


1842-45,  Presiding  Elder  of  Cazenovia  District;  1846-47,  New 
York  Mills;  1848-49,  P>inghamton ;  1850,  Oxford;  1851,  Presid- 
ing Elder  of  Susquehanna  District;  1852-54,  Presiding  Elder  of 
Binghamton  District;  1855,  Chenango  Forks;  1856-58,  Presiding 
Elder  of  Owego  District;  1859,  Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre ; 
1860-61,  Henry  Street,  Binghamton;  1862-63,  Honesdale ;  1864- 
67,  Presiding  Elder  of  Binghamton  District;  1868,  Chenango; 
1869,  Port  Dickinson;  1870-79,  sd. 

Parsons,  George,  was  born  on  December  13,  i8io,  in  the  town 
of  Sharon,  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.  When  but  a  lad  he  was 
converted  and  united  with  the  Methodist  Church.  He  learned 
the  printer's  trade.  His  education  pre- 
paratory to  entering  the  ministry  was  re- 
ceived at  Cazenovia  Seminary.  He 
joined  Oneida  Conference  in  1838,  after 
supplying  Clinton  Academy,  Maine,  one 
year,  and  became  a  member  of  this  Con- 
ference when  Oneida  territory  came  to 
us  in  1869.  After  his  superannuation  in 
1879  he  settled  in  Fort  Plain,  N.  Y., 
where  he  died  on  May  7,  1900,  having 
suffered  much  from  cancer.  He  was 
buried  at  Sharon  Springs,  N.  Y. 

He  was  married  three  times.  His  first 
wife  was  Miss  Elizabeth  D.  Diefenport, 
of  Sharon  Springs,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried on  July  10,  1836.  She  died  at  Sid- 
ney, N.  Y.,  on  March  6,  1877.  Six  children  were  born  to  them, 
all  of  whom  became  members  of  the  Church.  Four  of  them  have 
deceased.  The  youngest  son  is  widely  known,  Rev.  C.  W.  Par- 
sons, D.D.,  and  the  living  daughter  is  Mrs.  Levi  Dedrick,  of  Al- 
bany, N.  Y.  On  May  2,  1878,  he  married  Miss  Sallie  A.  Diefen- 
port, sister  of  his  first  wife,  who  died  at  Fort  Plain,  on  July  12, 
1890.    His  third  wife  survived  him. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1838-39,  Morrisville ;  1840- 
41,  Homer;  1842,  Dryden ;  1843-44,  Cherry  Valley;  1845-46, 
Ames;  1847-48,  Westford ;  1849-50,  Decatur;  1851-52,  Frey's 
Bush;  1853-54,  Sharon;  1855-56,  Fly  Creek;  1857-58,  Westville; 
1859-60,  Springfield;  1861-62,  Oneonta ;  1863-64,  Schenevus ; 
1865-67,  Springfield;  1868-69,  Worcester;  1870-72,  Fly  Creek; 
1873-74,  Middlefield;  1875-76,  Sidney  Center;  1877-78,  Preston; 
1879- 1900,  sd. 


220 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pearce^  Marmaduke,  was  born  in  Paoli,  Chester  County,  Pa., 
July  1 8,  1776.  He  came  from  Irish  Protestant  parentage.  His 
great-grandfather,  with  his  nine  sons,  were  in  the  famous  battle 
of  the  Boyne  in  1690,  in  which  one  son  was  killed  and  another 
wounded.  His  grandfather,  Edward,  and  his  father,  Cromwell, 
came  to  this  country  about  1724,  and  settled  in  Chester  County, 
Pa.  He  joined  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal  Church  December  7, 
1808.  After  a  long  struggle  concerning  his  call  to  the  ministry 
he  yielded,  and  received  his  first  license  to  preach  in  June,  181 1. 
The  same  year  he  joined  the  Genesee  Conference,  and  received 
deacon's  orders  in  1813  and  elder's  orders  in  181 5.  His  appoint- 
ments were  as  follows:  181 1,  Holland  Purchase;  1812,  Tioga; 
1813,  Wyoming;  1814,  Shamokin ;  1815-18,  Presiding  Elder  on 
Susquehanna  District;  1819,  Wyoming;  1820,  Shamokin,  Balti- 
more Conference;  1821,  Northumberland;  1822,  Chambersburg ; 
1823-24,  Carlisle  Circuit;  1825-28,  Presiding  Elder  on  Northum- 
berland District;  1829,  Baltimore  Circuit;  1830-31,  Baltimore 
City;  1832,  Northumberland  Circuit;  1833,  Berwick;  1834,  Pitts- 
ton;  Oneida  Conference,  1835-36,  supernumerary;  1837,  superan- 
nuated, and  remained  so  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on 
August  II,  1852. 

He  made  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  preacher,  a  master  of 
English  style,  and  an  able  critic  in  grammar,  logic,  and  rhetoric. 

Peck,  George,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Middlefield,  Otsego  County, 
N.  Y.,  August  8,  1797,  and  died  in  the  city  of  Scranton, 
Pa.,  on  May  20,  1876. 

He  was  the  son  of  Luther  and  Annis 
Collar  Peck,  who  gave  five  sons  to  the 
ministry  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal 
Church,  namely,  Luther  H.,  George, 
Andrew,  William,  and  Bishop  Jesse  T. 
He  became  a  Christian  in  1812  and 
united  with  the  Church.  He  received 
license  to  exhort  in  181 5,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  received  local  preacher's 
license.  He  served  a  year  on  Cortland 
Circuit  under  the  presiding  elder,  with- 
out remuneration.  In  1816  he  joined 
the  Genesee  Conference  on  trial. 

He  came  from  Puritan  stock,  and 
both  of  his  grandfathers  were  Revolu- 
tionary soldiers.    In  his  boyhood  he  be- 


Deceased  Preachers 


221 


came  familiar  with  farming,  sleigh-making,  blacksmithing,  shoe- 
making,  coal-burning,  and  sugar-making.  His  educational 
advantages  were  limited  in  his  boyhood.  When  he  began  his 
lifework  he  became  a  broad  reader,  a  careful  student — becoming 
familiar  with  both  Greek  and  Hebrew.  In  reasoning  power  and 
acquired  knowledge  he  was  one  of  the  best-equipped  men  of  his 
time.    In  debate  and  pulpit  utterance  he  was  truly  great. 

By  a  careful  study  of  his  fields  of  labor  it  will  be  seen  that  he 
personally  touched  almost  every  phase  of  work  in  our  church. 
When  he  became  junior  preacher  on  Broome  Circuit  he  was  on  a 
circuit  which  embraced  territory  from  ''Smithville  Flats  and 
Greene,  on  both  sides  of  the  Susquehanna  and  Chenango  Rivers, 
down  to  Vestal."  When  he  became  presiding  elder  of  Susque- 
hanna District  in  1839  his  round  of  visitation  would  carry  him 
over  all  the  territory  from  Lanesboro  to  Nanticoke,  including 
the  present  territory  of  Honesdale  District.  As  the  years  flew 
by  he  saw  large  circuits  diminish  in  size  and  many  preaching 
places  become  charges.  In  fact,  he  witnessed  the  remarkable 
growth  of  Methodism  within  our  bounds,  and  had  more  to  do 
with  the  molding  of  Methodism  in  this  territory  than  any  other 
man. 

He  had  much  to  do  with  Cazenovia  Seminary  before  he  became 
its  successful  president  in  1835.  His  interest  in  educational 
matters  was  always  intense.  It  is  claimed  that  he  *'was  the 
originator  and  the  first  moving  spirit  in  the  founding  of  Wy- 
oming Seminary.  'One  evening  in  the  latter  part  of  October, 
1839,  he  delivered  an  address  in  the  old  church  at  Forty  Fort  on 
the  subject  of  education,  in  which  he  advanced  the  idea  that  a 
Methodist  seminary  was  needed  in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  and 
that  Kingston  furnished  as  good  a  location  as  could  be  found 
for  such  an  institution.'  "  One  of  his  biographers  further  claims 
that  he  "was  the  originator  of  the  first  course  of  study  prescribed 
by  the  General  Conference  for  traveling  preachers." 

His  election  to  the  editorship  of  the  Methodist  Quarterly 
Review  "marked  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  magazine,  the 
more  liberal  policy  adopted  by  the  Church  enabling  the  editor 
to  devote  his  time  and  ability  chiefly  to  its  advancement,  and  to 
call  to  his  aid  an  able  corps  of  paid  contributors.  The  result  was 
that  the  literary  excellence  of  the  journal  increased  with  marked 
rapidity,  while,  owing  to  the  greater  liberality  in  publication,  the 
mechanical  execution  and  elegance  of  appearance  formed  a  de- 
cided contrast  with  the  preceding  volumes."  After  eight  years 
of  very  successful  work  on  the  Review  he  was  made  editor  of  the 


222 


Wyoming  Conference 


New  York  Advocate.  Here  his  statesmanship  was  manifest  in 
many  Hnes. 

He  joined  the  Genesee  Conference,  became  a  member  of 
Oneida  at  its  organization,  was  a  member  of  New  York  Con- 
ference during  the  years  of  his  editorial  work,  and  in  1852 
returned  to  his  former  fields  of  labor,  becoming  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organization. 

He  served  the  Church  as  delegate  to  General  Conference  in 
thirteen  sessions  of  that  body,  being  a  delegate  from  1824  to 
1872.  His  sound  judgment  and  skill  in  debate  were  here  of 
great  service  to  the  Church. 

Wesleyan  University  conferred  the  degree  of  A.M.  upon  him 
in  1835,  and  in  1840  Augusta  College  honored  itself  in  confer- 
ring upon  him  the  degree  of  D.D. 

The  most  important  of  his  publications  are  Universalisin 
Examined,  History  of  the  Apostles  and  Evangelists,  Scripture 
Doctrine  of  Christian  Perfection,  Rule  of  Faith,  Reply  to 
Basconi,  Manly  Character,  History  of  Wyoming,  History  of 
Methodism  within  the  Bounds  of  the  Old  Genesee  Conference, 
Life  and  Times  of  George  Peck.  The  last  two  named  are  of  great 
value  to  those  interested  in  the  history  of  Methodism  within  our 
territory.  His  love  for  historical  study  has  preserved  much  that 
otherwise  would  have  been  lost. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance  which  met  in 
London  in  August,  1846. 

On  June  19,  1819,  he  married  Mary  Myers,  of  Forty  Fort,  Pa. 
Four  children  were  born  to  them — Revs.  George  M.  and  Dr. 
Luther,  W.,  of  our  Conference,  Wilbur  F.,  M.D.,  and  a  daughter 
who  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  J.  T.  Crane,  D.D.,  of  Newark  Con- 
ference. They  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  in  Scranton, 
June  19,  1869.  He  passed  to  his  reward  on  May  20,  1876,  and 
was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Forty  Fort.  His  wife  survived 
him  until  July  31,  1881,  when  she  died  at  the  home  of  Rev.  G.  M. 
Peck,  in  Clifford,  Pa. 

We  close  this  sketch  by  an  estimate  of  one  of  his  contem- 
poraries :  'T  view  him  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  of  our 
times — one  whose  genius  and  piety  are  indelibly  stamped  on  the 
ecclesiastical  polity  and  wonderful  growth  of  the  Church ;  whose 
wise  counsels  and  herculean  labors  are  interwoven  in  its  devel- 
opment. For  the  past  fifty  years  of  his  whole  life  he  has  been 
distinguished  by  a  devoted  love  to  the  Church  and  unswerving 
loyalty  to  honest  convictions  of  truth." 

The  following  were  his  fields  of  labor:    1816,  Broome  (junior 


Deceased  Preachers 


223 


preacher);  1817,  Cortland  (junior  preacher);  1818,  Wyoming; 

1819,  Bridgewater ;  1820,  Canaan;  1821,  Paris;  1822-23,  Utica; 
1824-25,  Presiding  Elder  of  Susquehanna  District;  1826,  Wy- 
oming; 1827,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1828-29,  Ithaca;  1830,  Utica;  1831- 
32,  Cazenovia;  1833-34,  Auburn;  1835-38,  Principal  of  Cazenovia 
Seminary;  1839,  Presiding  Elder  of  Susquehanna  District;  1840- 
47,  Editor  of  the  Methodist  Quarterly  Review  and  general  Book 
Editor  of  the  Book  Concern;  1848-51,  editor  of  The  Christian 
Advocate;  1852-53,  Wilkes-Barre;  1854,  Presiding  Elder  of 
Wyoming  District;  1855,  Presiding  Elder  of  Binghamton  Dis- 
trict; 1856-57,  Scranton  Mission  (Elm  Park);  1858-61,  Presid- 
ing Elder  of  Wyoming  District;  1862-65,  Presiding  Elder  of 
Lackawanna  District;  1866-67,  Providence;  1868,  Dunmore; 
1869-72,  Presiding  Elder  of  Wyoming  District;  1873-76,  sd. 

Peck,  George  M.,  was  born  in  Forty  Fort,  Pa.,  on  April  17, 

1820,  and  died  in  his  home  in  Green  Ridge,  Scranton,  Pa.,  on 
February  16,  1897. 

He  was  the  oldest  son  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
George  Peck.  He  gave  his  heart  to  God 
when  but  nine  years  of  age,  being  in- 
fluenced to  do  so  by  listening  to  a  thrill- 
ing exhortation  by  Rev.  Joseph  Cross  in 
Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  in  the  church  of  which 
his  father  was  pastor.  Thus  began  a 
life  which  covered  sixty-eight  years  of 
beautiful  faith  and  trust. 

His  preliminary  education  was  such 
as  schools  of  those  times  afforded,  sup- 
plemented  by    help    from   his  father. 
Early  in  his  teens  he  entered  Cazenovia 
Seminary,  but  at  nineteen  years  of  age 
he  left  the  seminary  and  took  charge  of       george  m.  peck 
his  father's  farm  in  the  Wyoming  Val- 
ley.   After  spending  five  years  upon  the  farm  he  thought  best 
to  obey  the  call  of  God  tO'  work  in  his  vineyard  as  a  preacher  of 
the  Gospel. 

He  joined  Oneida  Conference  in  1845,  becoming  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organization. 

On  July  18,  1839,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Louisa  Butler,  of 
Pompey,  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.  Four  children  were  born  to 
them — a  daughter,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  three  sons,  two  of 
whom,  Luther  W.  and  William  H.,  are  still  living,  Merritt,  the 


224 


Wyoming  Conference 


other  son,  was  killed  by  being  struck  by  an  engine  in  a  Western 
city  in  1898.  On  May  30,  1902,  she  joined  her  loved  ones  above. 
Husband,  wife,  son,  and  daughter  are  buried  in  the  Dunmore 
cemetery. 

After  his  superannuation  in  1884  he  settled  in  Green  Ridge  and 
experienced  a  beautiful  setting  of  life's  sun. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1845,  Salem;  1846-47, 
Canaan;  1848-49,  Beach  Pond;  1850-51,  Mount  Pleasant;  1852- 
53,  Pittston;  1854-55,  Wyoming;  1856-57,  Providence;  1858,  sy. ; 
1859,  Owego;  1860-61,  Pittston;  1862-63,  Carbondale;  1864-65, 
Providence;  1866-68,  Presiding  Elder  on  Lackawanna  District; 
1869-70,  Unadilla;  1871,  Berkshire;  1872-75,  sy. ;  1876-77, 
Cherry  Ridge;  1878-79,  Salem;  1880-81,  Clifford;  1882-83,  Park 
Place  (Court  Street)  ;  1884- 1896,  sd. 

Peck,  Jonathan  Kenyon,  A.M.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ger- 
man, Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  near  Brackle  Creek,  on  December 
31,  1824,  and  died  in  Kingston,  Pa.,  on  December  31,  1899. 

He  commenced  his  education  in  the 
Brackle  schoolhouse,  one  mile  east  of 
his  home.  From  eleven  to  seventeen 
years  of  age  he  worked  away  from 
home,  part  of  the  time  for  board  and 
clothing  and  a  part  of  the  time  for 
wages.  What  wages  he  earned  were 
used  by  his  father  to  apply  on  the  debt 
against  his  farm. 

His  father  was  the  Rev.  Luther  Hoyt 
Peck,  a  local  preacher,  and  the  oldest 
of  the  ''five  Pecks."  Jonathan  K.  was 
his  second  son. 

At  seventeen  he  left  home  for  Kings- 
joNATHAN  KENYON  PECK  ^O"'  traveling  most  of  the  way  on  foot, 

but  from  Tunkhannock  to  Forty  Fort  on 
a  raft.  From  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  the  valley  until  1845  he 
worked  for  his  brother  George,  who  ran  a  wagon  shop,  first  at 
Mill  Hollow,  now  Luzerne,  and  subsequently  on  Wyoming 
Avenue,  between  the  new  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  the 
cemetery.    Here  he  learned  the  carriage-making  trade. 

His  conversion  was  in  sight  of  the  shop  in  Mill  Hollow,  in  the 
road,  near  the  bridge.  He  was  alone  at  the  time,  but  walked  to 
Blindtown,  now  Larksville,  the  same  evening  and  confessed  his 
Saviour.   This  was  in  December,  1842.   He  was  at  once  received 


Deceased  Preachers 


into  the  church  on  probation,  subsequently  baptized  and  received 
into  full  membership.  His  conversion  changed  the  current  of 
his  life.  In  the  fall  of  1845  he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary.  In 
order  that  he  might  put  himself  through,  he  worked  in  the  shop 
some,  taught  school  three  winters,  one  winter  in  Mill  Hollow  and 
two  winters  in  Blindtown,  keeping  up  his  studies  in  the  seminary 
while  teaching,  and  graduated  from  the  seminary  in  1849,  In 
1850  he  entered  Dickinson  College  and  completed  the  college 
course  in  two  years,  graduating  in  1852.  In  1861  his  alma  mater 
conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  A.M. 

After  graduating  from  Dickinson  he  went  to  Liberty,  Frederick 
County,  Md.,  where  he  taught  a  select  school.  He  had  held  an 
exhorter's  license  for  several  years,  having  first  received  one 
from  Bostwick  Hawley,  pastor  of  New  Troy,  at  the  direction  of 
the  Forty  Fort  class,  in  October,  1848.  While  at  Liberty,  the 
Quarterly  Conference  of  Liberty  Circuit,  of  the  Baltimore  Con- 
ference, granted  him  a  local  preacher's  license. 

In  1853  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference,  his  brother  Luther 
and  fifteen  others  joining  at  the  same  time. 

In  1883-84  he  was  in  such  poor  health  as  to  unfit  him  for 
pastoral  work.  He,  accordingly,  superannuated  and  secured  the 
appointment  of  Librarian  of  New  York  State,  with  his  office 
at  Albany. 

He  has  published  the  following  pamphlets:  Debate  between 
Rev.  J.  K.  Peck  and  Rev.  J.  J.  Miller  on  the  question,  ''Do  the 
Scriptures  teach  that  God  exists  in  three  persons?"  (see  the  chap- 
ter on  Controversies ; )  Slavery  in  the  Church,  an  answer  to  Dr. 
Abel  Stevens,  besides  a  number  of  sermons  on  special  occasions. 
He  has  also  published  two  books  :  The  Seven  Wonders  of  the  New 
World,  which  has  had  a  large  sale  in  this  country  and  Europe, 
and  also  Luther  Peck  and  His  Five  Sons,  a  fascinating  biography 
of  a  remarkable  family. 

His  brethren  in  the  Conference  manifested  their  love  and  es- 
teem for  him  by  electing  him  first  reserve  delegate  to  General 
Conference  in  1868. 

At  the  Conference  which  was  held  in  Honesdale  in  1869,  which 
was  the  close  of  his  term  as  presiding  elder  on  the  Honesdale 
District,  he  rendered  a  written  report  of  his  work  on  the  district. 
This  was  the  first  written  report  to  Conference  from  a  presiding 
elder,  and  because  of  it  he  suffered  the  taunt  of  seeming  conse- 
quential from  some  of  the  older  elders.  However,  it  was  a  step 
in  the  right  direction. 

While  living  in  Kingston  he  was  the  archivist  of  the  Confer- 
15 


226 


Wyoming  Conference 


ence  Historical  Society,  and  spent  considerable  time  in  classify- 
ing and  arranging  the  contents  of  the  historical  room. 

He  was  wonderfully  gifted  in  prayer.  No  one  could  pray  as 
he  did !  A  great  camp  meeting  on  Wyoming  camp  grounds  oc- 
curred in  1878,  eclipsing  any  held  there  before  or  since.  A  prayer 
made  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  always  referred  to  as  having 
brought  astonishing  and  glorious  results  at  that  service.  The 
meeting  and  that  prayer  are  always  spoken  of  together. 

On  April  23,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Searle,  of  Plains. 
He  was  survived  by  her  and  four  children — Mrs.  J.  Wood  Piatt, 
of  Tunkhannock ;  Mrs.  Charles  Hard,  of  Cincinnati,  O. ;  Jesse 
Peck,  of  West  Pittston ;  and  Miss  Mary  Peck. 

His  dying  was  as  he  desired,  ''with  the  harness  on."  At  the 
watch-night  service  in  Kingston  church,  at  the  close  of  some  ap- 
preciative remarks  concerning  his  parents,  he  fell.   He  was  gone ! 

After  his  superannuation  he  resided  in  Kingston  until  his  death. 
He  was  buried  in  the  Forty  Fort  cemetery. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1853,  Newport;  1854, 
Springville;  1855,  Spencer,  and  Teacher  in  Susquehanna  Semi- 
nary; 1856,  Plainsville;  1857-58,  Candor;  1859-60,  Montrose; 
1861-62,  Brooklyn;  1863-64,  Bethany;  1865-68,  Presiding  Elder 
on  Honesdale  District;  1869-71,  Newark;  1872-73,  Flemingville ; 
1874-75,  Tunkhannock;  1876-77,  Oxford;  1878-79,  Nichols; 
1880-82,  Tioga;  1883-84,  sd.;  1885,  Middlefield ;  1886-88,  Han- 
over and  Sugar  Notch;  1889,  Askam;  1890,  Plainsville;  1891, 
Rendham;  1892-99,  sd. 

Peck,  Luther,  was  born  in  Brackle,  Pitcher  township,  Che- 
nango County,  N.  Y.,  on  March  9,  1827, 
and  died  in  his  home  in  Hornbrook,  Brad- 
ford County,  Pa.,  on  October  31,  1894, 
after  a  month  of  severe  sickness.  He  was 
buried  in  the  Hornbrook  cemetery. 

He  was  a  son  of  a  local  preacher, 
Luther  Hoyt  Peck,  the  oldest  of  the  ''five 
Pecks." 

He  had  tried  for  some  time  to  serve 
God,  but  had  not  the  witness  of  the 
Spirit,  when  in  prayer  one  night  God 
graciously  gave  him  the  desired  witness. 

His  scholastic  preparation  for  his  life- 
work  was  largely  received  at  Wyoming 
LUTHER  PECK  Seminary. 


Deceased  Preachers 


227 


After  preaching  a  short  time  as  supply  under  the  presiding 
cider  he,  with  his  brother  Jonathan  K.,  joined  the  Wyoming 
Conference  in  1853. 

That  he  was  loved  by  his  brethren  in  the  Conference  is  evi- 
denced by  the  fact  that  they  elected  him  as  a  reserve  delegate  to 
General  Conference  in  1872. 

On  May  15,  1867,  he  married  Miss  Lucy  Lyman,  of  Springville, 
Pa.  Five  children  were  born  to  them.  One  son,  two  daughters, 
and  the  wife  survived  him. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1853,  Springville;  1854-55, 
Wyalusing;  1856-57,  Gibson ;  1858,  Great  Bend  and  New  Milford ; 
1859-60,  Plains;  1861-62,  Dunmore;  1863-64,  Tunkhannock; 
1865-67,  Montrose;  1868-70,  Meshoppen;  1871-74,  Presiding 
Elder  on  Wyalusing  District;  1875-76,  Candor;  1877-79,  Barton; 
1880-82,  Le  Raysville;  1883-85,  Hornbrook;  1886-87,  Barton; 
1888-89,  sy. ;  1890-94,  sd. 

Peck,  Luther  Wesley,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Kingston,  Pa.,  on 
June  14,  1825,  and  died  in  his  home  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  on  March 
31,  1900,  after  a  few  days'  sickness  of  pneumonia. 

He  was  the  second  son  of  Dr.  George 
and  Mary  Myers  Peck.  His  boyhood 
was  spent  in  Wyoming  Valley.  When 
but  a  youth  he  was  put  in  charge  of  his 
uncle,  Jesse  T.  Peck,  who  was  at  that 
time  president  of  the  Troy  Conference 
Academy  at  Poultney,  Vt.,  for  prepara- 
tion for  college.  At  the  age  of  fifteen 
years  he  entered  Wesleyan  University  at 
Middletown,  Conn.,  as  a  freshman  in  the 
class  which  would  graduate  in  1845.  He 
studied  in  Wesleyan  but  one  year.  After 
Dr.  George  Peck's  election  to  the  editor- 
ship of  the  Methodist  Review  he  moved 
to  New  York  city.  It  was  then  thought  luther  wesley  peck 
desirable  for  Luther  W.  to  enter  New 

York  University,  which  would  permit  him  to  enjoy  home  life. 
He  did  this,  graduating  in  1845  with  honor.  He  led  his  class  in 
scholarship  during  his  course  of  study,  and  was  valedictorian  of 
his  class  on  graduation.  Scholarly  habits  followed  him  through 
life.   He  loved  to  read  the  Bible  in  Hebrew  and  Greek. 

The  writer  of  the  memoir  in  the  Conference  Minutes  calls 
attention  to  the  fact  that  the  death  of  Luther  W.  was  the  passing 


228 


Wyoming  Conference 


away  of  the  notable  family  of  Peck  divines.  Of  the  "five  Pecks," 
Luther  Hoyt,  George,  Andrew,  William,  Jesse  T.,  one  was  a 
local  preacher,  Luther  Hoyt,  the  other  four  entered  the  traveling 
ministry.  Luther  Hoyt  gave  two  sons  to  the  ministry,  Jonathan 
K.,  and  Luther.  Dr.  George  gave  two  sons  to  the  ministry, 
George  M.  and  Luther  W.  It  is  claimed  that  the  combined 
service  of  the  four  brothers,  with  that  of  the  sons  of  Luther  H. 
and  George,  exceeded  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  of 
active  work  in  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
A  rare  record  indeed ! 

In  1848  New  York  University  conferred  the  degree  of  A.M. 
upon  him,  and  in  1878  gave  him  the  degree  of  D.D. 

On  January  18,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  M.  Gibbons, 
daughter  of  an  Albany  physician.  Nine  children  were  born  to 
them,  namely,  Helen,  Mary  E.,  Emma  D.,  Frances  A.,  Sarah  M., 
Susie  G.,  Jessie  T.,  Fanny  M.,  and  George  L.  Frances  A.,  Susie 
G.,  and  Fanny  M.  passed  on  before  him.  George  L.  is  an  attorney 
in  the  city  of  Scranton. 

After  he  became  supernumerary  he  settled  in  Scranton,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death.  He  was  buried  in  the  Forty  Fort 
cemetery,  where  many  of  his  kindred  lie  buried. 

He  was  a  strong  thinker  and  fine  preacher.  He  wrote  con- 
siderably for  the  papers  in  both  prose  and  poetry.  He  had  the 
poet's  vision  and  touch.  Bishop  Peck's  History  of  the  Great 
Republic  contains  a  beautiful  poem  by  him  on  "The  Burial  of 
Lincoln."  While  in  college  at  Middletown  he  wrote  a  serenade 
which  is  still  a  favorite  with  the  Psi  U  fraternity.  He  published 
two  poems  of  some  length.  In  1858  he  published  "The  Golden 
Age,"  a  poem  of  two  hundred  pages,  giving  the  progress  of  the 
temperance  reform,  which  was  very  favorably  received  indeed. 
In  1895  he  published  "The  Humming  Bird." 

At  nineteen  years  of  age  he  joined  New  York  Conference, 
where  he  labored  until  he  was  transferred  to  Wyoming  Conference 
in  1866. 

His  apointments  were  as  follows:  1845,  Pacific  Street,  Brook- 
lyn; 1846-47,  Durham,  N.  Y. ;  1848,  Windham,  N.  Y. ;  1849-50, 
Rhinebeck,  N.  Y. ;  1851-52,  Sheffield,  Mass.;  1853,  Lee,  Mass.; 
1854-55,  Newburgh,  N.  Y. ;  1856-57,  Cannon  Street,  Poughkeepsie  ; 
1858-59,  Forty-third  Street,  New  York;  i860,  Dobbs  Ferry; 
1861-62,  Rhinebeck;  1863,  Kingston,  N.  Y. ;  1864-65,  Middletown, 
N.  Y. ;  1866-67,  Hyde  Park,  Scranton;  1868-70,  Susquehanna; 
1871,  Waverly,  N.  Y. ;  1872-73,  Ross  Street,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1874, 
Waverly,  Pa.;  1875-78,  Presiding  Elder  on  Honesdale  District; 


Deceased  Preachers 


229 


1879,  Pittston;  1880-82,  Oxford;  1883-84,  Whitney's  Point;  1885- 
86,  Apalachin;  1887,  Harford;  1888-89,  Yatesvillc;  1890,  West 
Nanticoke;  1891-99,  sy. 

PoMEROY,  Jesse,  died  in  Stephenson  County,  111.,  on  September 
14,  1878,  aged  ninety-three.  He  had  been  blind  for  some  time 
before  his  death. 

Of  his  early  history  little  is  known.  He  was  received  on  trial 
in  the  New  York  Conference  in  1822.  In  1824  the  Sharon  Circuit 
became  a  part  of  Genesee  Conference ;  Mr.  Pomeroy,  being  pastor 
of  Sharon  Circuit  at  the  time,  went  with  it.  In  1829  when  the 
Oneida  Conference  was  organized,  he  in  the  same  manner  became 
a  member  of  Oneida.  He  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  by  the 
accession  of  Oneida  territory  in  1869.  It  will  be  seen  by  his 
pastoral  record  that  he  was  superannuated  forty  years. 

His  fields  of  labor  were  as  follows:  1822,  Delaware;  1823, 
Jefferson;  1824-25,  Sharon;  1826-27,  Otsego;  1828-29,  Litchfield; 
1830,  Camden;  1831,  Vienna;  1832,  Westmoreland;  1833, 
Steuben;  1834,  Vienna;  1835,  Cortland;  1836-39,  sd. ;  1840, 
Otselic;  1841-78,  sd. 

Porter,  George  P.,  was  born  in  Berwick,  Pa.,  in  1820,  and 
died  in  Cowlesville,  N.  Y.,  June  11,  1877. 

He  moved  to  Wilkes-Barre  with  his  parents  when  about  four 
years  old.  He  entered  the  Moravian  Seminary  at  Nazareth,  Pa., 
in  183 1.  At  seventeen  years  of  age  he  became  a  civil  engineer  and 
was  employed  on  the  North  Branch  Canal.  Having  developed 
considerable  artistic  taste  and  skill,  he,  at  about  twenty  years  of 
age,  commenced  the  study  of  painting  with  John  Sartain,  of 
Philadelphia,  and  acquired  considerable  proficiency  in  portrait 
painting  in  a  short  time.  John  Sartain  came  to  this  country  from 
England  in  1830,  and  settled  in  Philadelphia.  He  introduced 
mezzotint  engraving  into  America.  He  also  practiced  painting  in 
oil,  and  published  not  a  little  upon  matters  relative  to  art.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  settled  in  Towanda,  Pa.,  and  opened  a 
studio.  While  living  in  this  place  he  was  led  to  Christ,  and  joined 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

He  served  as  a  supply  on  the  Northmoreland  Circuit  in  1847, 
and  joined  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1848.  At  the  division  of 
the  Oneida  and  the  organization  of  the  Wyoming  Conference  he 
became  a  member  of  the  latter.  For  a  season  he  was  a  member 
of  Genesee  Conference,  as  his  .pastoral  record  will  show. 

In  1855  he  lapsed  into  infidelity,  and  in  1856  withdrew  from 


230 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  Conference  and  membership  of  the  Church.  After  severe 
intellectual  struggles  with  doubt,  and  sad  experiences  with  ap- 
petite for  drink,  becoming  hungry  for  that  which  satisfies,  he 
again  sought  and  found  peace  in  Christ,  and  in  i860  renewed  his 
relation  to  the  Church.  In  1861  he  united  with  the  Wyoming 
Conference  on  trial.  His  religious  life  was  one  of  constant  strug- 
gle against  early  acquired  habits  and  tastes.  ''Of  unusual  talents, 
a  natural  orator,  of  chaste,  ornate  style,  he  possessed  an  imagina- 
tion and  grasp  of  intellect  that  enabled  him  to  seize  and  utilize 
the  true  and  beautiful  at  will."  His  sermons  against  infidelity 
were  exceedingly  strong,  and  his  book  From  Atheism  to  Chris- 
tianity, is  a  powerful  argument  in  favor  of  the  latter.  The  last 
few  years  of  his  life  he  was  in  feeble  health,  and  much  of  his  time 
was  spent  in  portrait  and  landscape  painting,  many  of  his  produc- 
tions being  of  more  than  ordinary  merit. 

On  July  10,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Frances  Worthing,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Jonathan  Worthing.  At  the  age  of  twenty  she  took  charge 
of  the  female  department  of  the  academy  at  Towanda,  Pa.,  and 
for  a  season  was  preceptress  of  Wyoming  Seminary.  She  died 
on  December  12,  1872.  Mrs.  W.  S.  Harris,  of  Owego,  N.  Y.,  and 
Burt  Porter  were  the  children  of  this  union,  and  both  survive. 
Husband  and  wife  are  buried  at  Owego,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1848,  Montrose;  1849-50, 
Greene;  1851,  Court  Street,  Binghamton ;  1852-53,  Owego;  1854- 
55,  Waverly  and  Factory ville ;  1856-60,  Lapse;  1861-62,  Owego; 
1863-66,  Presiding  Elder  on  Owego  District;  1867,  Presiding 
Elder  on  Wyoming  District;  1868-71,  Genesee  Conference,  served 
Grace  Church,  Buffalo,  and  Presiding  Elder  on  Buffalo  District ; 
1872,  transferred  back  to  Wyoming  and  stationed  at  Scranton 
(Elm  Park)  ;  1873-74,  sy. ;  1875-77,  sd. 

Pitts,  Levi,  was  born  on  June  18,  1807,  in  Middlefield,  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  on 
February  2,  1890. 

He  was  the  son  of  a  Universalist  preacher,  but  could  not  accept 
the  doctrines  of  Universalism.  Early  in  life  he  began  to  consider 
the  importance  of  leading  a  Christian  life.  However,  not  until 
after  he  was  married  and  was  living  at  Sugar  Creek,  Bradford 
County,  Pa.,  did  he  so  seek  as  to  find  peace  in  Christ.  He  began 
at  once  an  active  religious  life.  Class  leader,  exhorter,  local 
preacher,  joined  Conference,  tells  the  story. 

On  January  10,  1827,  he  married  Miss  Betsy  Clock,  of  Danby, 
N,  Y.,  with  whom  he  lived  over  sixty-one  years.    She  passed  on 


Deceased  Preachers 


231 


before  him  on  February  21,  1888.  To  them  were  born  five 
children,  three  of  whom  survive  their  parents'  death.  This 
aged  couple  lie  side  by  side  in  Glenwood  Cemetery,  Binghamton, 
N.  Y. 

He  joined  Oneida  Conference  in  1839,  and  became  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organiza- 
tion.   His  ministry  was  eminently  evan- 
gelistic. 

From  the  time  of  his  superannuation 
in  1875  until  his  death  he  lived  in  his 
own  house,  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  se- 
cured by  careful  and  frugal  habits  in  his 
earlier  years. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows: 
1839,  Windsor;  1840,  Greene;  1841-42, 
Broome;  1843-44,  Lisle;  1845,  Spencer; 
1846,  Flemingville ;  1847,  Orwell;  1848- 
49,  Page  Brook;  1850,  Osborne  Hollow; 
1851-52,  South  Danby;  1853,  North 
Danby;  1854,  Vestal;  1855-56,  Union; 
1857-58,    Page   Brook;    1859-60,  Van 

Ettenville;  1861,  Broome;  1862,  Hawleyton;  1863,  Osborne  Hol- 
low; 1864,  Harpursville ;  1865-67,  Kirkwood;  1868,  Page  Brook; 
1869-70,  Broome;  1871-72,  sd. ;  1873,  Osborne  Hollow;  1874, 
Union  Center;  1875-89,  sd. 


LEVI  PITTS 


Phillips,  Levi  C,  was  born  in  East  Homer,  Cortland  County, 
N.  Y.,  on  February  20,  1822,  and  died  of  paralysis  at  his  home 

in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  on  Novembqr 
10,  1892. 

When  but  a  lad  of  eleven  years  he  com- 
menced a  religious  life  and  was  zealous 
in  his  religious  life  until  death. 

After  his  call  to  the  ministry  he  spent 
some  time  in  Wyoming  Seminary  prepar- 
ing for  his  work. 

On  June  8,  1853,  he  married  Miss 
Angenette  Terrell,  of  Cortland,  N.  Y., 
who  survived  him. 

He  was  buried  in  Spring  Forest  Ceme- 
tery, in  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

In  1853  he  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
LEvi  c.  PHILLIPS        ence.    In  October  of  the  same  year  he 


232 


Wyoming  Conference 


accepted  the  appointment  of  agent  of  the  American  Bible  Society 
for  the  Territory  of  Oregon.  Here  he  spent  five  years  in  labor, 
when  the  hardships  and  exposure  of  frontier  life  impaired  his 
health,  and  he  returned  to  the  East.  He  was  located  one  year, 
and  after  returning  East  he  was  again  admitted  to  Wyoming  Con- 
ference. He  labored  two  years,  when  shattered  health  compelled 
him  to  retire  from  the  effective  ranks  in  1861.  After  superan- 
nuation he  lived  in  Binghamton  until  his  death,  and  made  Cen- 
tenary Church  his  church  home,  doing  what  he  might  for  God's 
cause. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follow^s :  1853,  Wyoming  Conference, 
transferred  to  Oregon  Conference;  1853-55,  Agent  American 
Bible  Society;  1856,  Spencer's  Butte;  1857,  Dallas;  1858,  located; 

1859,  reentered  Wyoming  Conference  and  stationed  at  Salem; 

1860,  Oregon;  1861-92,  sd. 


Personeus,  David,  was  born  in  Candor,  N.  Y.,  on  February 
14,  1834.  He  w'as  educated  in  the  common  schools.  When  six- 
teen years  old,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  Brearley  Hill  schoolhouse 

on  the  Slaterville  charge,  he  was  con- 
verted, and  joined  the  church  at  Slater- 
ville at  once.  Soon  after  conversion  he 
felt  called  to  preach,  but  resisted  the  call, 
and  told  no  one  of  his  convictions  for  five 
years.  He  taught  day  school  and  singing 
school  several  years.  In  the  spring  of 
1856  Rev.  R.  Van  Valkenburg  gave  him 
an  exhorter's  license,  and  in  1857  he  re- 
ceived a  local  preacher's  license.  In  1858 
he  went  as  supply  to  Northumberland 
Circuit,  and  in  1859  joined  the  Confer- 
ence. 

In  1855  he  married  Miss  Sarah  M. 
Snow.    A  son  and  daughter  have  been 
born  to  them.     The  son,  Rev.  C.  B. 
Personeus,  was  a  member  of  this  Conference  for  some  years. 

Apoplexy  carried  him  away  on  October  28,  1902.  He  is 
buried  in  Candor,  N.  Y.,  where  he  resided  after  superannuation 
in  1899. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1859,  Newton;  1860-61, 
Dundaff;  1862,  Moscow;  1863-64,  Lehman;  1865-66,  SterHng; 
1867-68,  sy. ;  1869-71,  Athens;  1872-73,  Kirkwood ;  1874-76, 
Lisle;  1877,  Willet;  1878-79,  Chenango  Forks;  1880,  sy. ;  1881- 


DAVID  PERSONEUS 


Deceased  Preachers 


233 


83,  Castle  Creek;  1884-86,  Sidney  Plains;  1887-89,  Laurens  and 
On€onta  Plains;  1899-1902,  sd. 

Queal,  William  Graves,  was  born  in  Worcester,  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  December  14,  1822.  He  was  the  fifth  child  of 
William  C.  and  Mary  Graves  Queal,  to  whom  ten  children  were 
born.  Four  of  these  gave  their  lives  to 
the  service  of  God  in  the  Christian  min- 
istry, Atchison,  William  G.,  Luke  C, 
and  James. 

He  was  converted  in  a  series  of  revival 
services  conducted  by  Rev.  A.  E.  Daniels, 
when  but  a  youth.  At  nineteen  years  of 
age  he  entered  Cazenovia  Seminary, 
preparatory  to  his  lifework. 

On  July  3,  1850,  he  married  Miss 
Lorinda  L.  Booth,  of  Bainbridge,  N.  Y. 
From  this  union  three  children  were 
born,  one  son  and  two  daughters.  The 
son  died  at  twelve  years  of  age ;  Miss 
Mattie  married  Rev.  E.  Bradley  Meaker, 
who  was  for  a  short  time  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference;  Miss  Alice  married  Rev.  G.  B.  Benedict, 
who  for  some  time  was  engaged  in  missionary  work  in  South 
America,  and  who  at  this  writing  is  in  educational  work  in 
Porto  Rico. 

He  joined  Oneida  Conference  in  1846,  and  became  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference  by  the  allotment  of  Oneida  territory  in 
1869. 

His  life  was  full  of  sunshine,  the  joy  of  the  Lord  was  his 
strength. 

He  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  brethren  in  the  Conference. 
His  judgment  was  excellent,  often  sought,  and  in  debate  upon  the 
Conference  floor  he  was  at  his  best.  He  was  a  delegate  to  Gen- 
eral Conference  in  1872,  and  a  reserve  delegate  in  1876  and  1880. 
For  many  years  he  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Conference. 

On  his  way  home  from  California,  where  he  had  been  spending 
some  delightful  weeks,  he  was  taken  sick  on  the  cars,  and  stopped 
ofif  at  Pueblo,  Colo.,  that  he  might  secure  good  medical  help. 
This  was  on  Friday  night.  On  Sunday  morning  following,  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1888,  his  spirit  took  its  flight.  He  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  West  Bainbridge,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:    1846,  Bainbridge;  1847, 


234 


Wyoming  Conference 


Smyrna;  1848,  Chenango;  1849,  Bainbridge;  1850-51,  Brookfield ; 
1852-53,  Vernon  Center;  1854-55,  Sherburne;  1856-57,  Oneonta; 
1858-59,  Milford;  1860-61,  Afton ;  1862,  Unadilla;  1863-65,  Guil- 
ford; 1866-67,  Oxford;  1868-69,  Otego;  1870-72,  Milford;  1873, 
Morris;  1874-75,  Salem;  1876-77,  Sherburne;  1878-79,  Plymouth, 
N.  Y.;  1880-81,  Windsor;  1882,  sy. ;  1883-84,  Norwich;  1885- 
87,  sy. 

Reynolds,  Nelson  Sinsebaugh,  was  born  in  Greenfield,  N.  Y., 
on  April  13,  1832,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Nichols,  N.  Y.,  on 
September  11,  1890.    His  body  was  laid  in  the  family  plot  at 

Sidney  Plains,  N.  Y. 

He  was  led  into  the  kingdom  when 
about  sixteen  years  of  age. 

His  educational  advantages  were  such 
as  the  common  school  can  give  and  such 
as  he  could  get  by  spending  some  time  at 
the  seminary  in  Charlotteville,  N.  Y. 
His  limited  means  would  not  permit  him 
to  complete  the  course,  as  he  was  trying 
to  pay  his  own  way  through. 

He  received  a  local  preacher's  license 
in  1859.    In  1862  he  accepted  work  un- 
der the  presiding  elder,  and  in  1863 
joined  Wyoming  Conference. 
NELSON  s.  REYNOLDS  is  Said  that  every  charge  he  served, 

save  one,  was  blessed  with  a  revival,  and 
that  over  one  thousand  souls  were  led  to  Christ  by  him. 

When,  in  1890,  he  was  appointed  to  Castle  Creek  he  felt  that  he 
could  not  carry  on  the  work.  The  result  justified  his  decision. 
Cancer  of  the  liver  terminated  his  life  in  the  fall. 

In  1862  he  married  Miss  Delia  B.  Swift.  To  them  three  chil- 
dren were  born,  two  of  whom,  with  the  wife,  survived  him. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1863,  Cherry  Ridge;  1864- 
65,  Tallmansville ;  1866-68,  Damascus;  1869-71,  Hawley;  1872, 
Berkshire;  1873-74,  Candor;  1875,  Sidney  Plains;  1876-77,  Bain- 
bridge; 1878-79,  Worcester;  1880,  New  Berlin;  1881-82,  Mount 
Upton;  1883-85,  Plains;  1888-89,  Nichols;  1890,  Castle  Creek. 

Ranson,  Jared  Cumstock,  was  born  at  Warren,  Herkimer 
County,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  1803,  and  died  at  Oxford,  N.  Y.,  July 
5,  1882. 


Deceased  Preachers 


235 


When  about  twenty-one  he  married  Ann  Amanda  Cook,  who 
died  December  25,  1828,  leaving  three  sons.  The  death  of  his 
wife  led  to  his  awakening  and  subsequent  conversion.  He  held 
exhorter's  license  in  1834  and  1835,  and  in  1836  was  given  a 
local  preacher's  license,  and  the  same  year  joined  Oneida  Con- 
ference, and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  with  the 
accession  of  Oneida  territory  in  1869. 

On  August  2,  1840,  at  Oxford,  he  married  Mary  Preston,  who 
died  on  December  28,  1858. 

In  November,  1879,  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis  on  his  right 
side.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  end,  which  came  nearly 
three  years  later.   He  was  buried  in  Oxford,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1836,  Sharon;  1837,  Brook- 
field;  1838,  Otego;  1839-40,  Chenango;  1841,  Otego;  1842, 
Butternuts;  1843-48,  sd. ;  1849,  sy. ;  1850-82,  sd. 

Rice,  Charles  Lane,  was  born  on  October  22,  1827,  in  Trucks- 
ville,  Kingston  township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  His  father,  Rev. 
Jacob  Rice,  was  one  of  the  old-time  local  preachers,  who  was  well 


known  throughout  the  Wyoming  Valley. 
The  Lane  in  his  name  was  in  honor  of 
Rev.  George  Lane,  at  one  time  one  of 
the  Book  Concern  agents,  with  whom 
his  father  was  very  intimate.  He  was 
converted  in  December,  1838,  in  the 
schoolhouse  on  the  line  between  Plym- 
outh and  Kingston,  about  one  half 
mile  west  of  his  home.  Rev.  William 
Round  was  conducting  the  service. 
Very  early  in  life  he  became  convinced 
that  he  should  become  a  preacher.  He 
was  the  youngest  of  eight  children.  His 
oldest  brother,  John  P.,  was  a  local 


preacher  for  many  years.  He  attended  charles  lane  rice 
the  common  school  until  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary opened  in  1844.  He  entered  with  the  first  class.  After  fall 
and  winter  terms  were  over  he  worked  on  the  farm  during  the 
summer.  In  the  winter  of  1845-46  he  again  secured  two  terms' 
work  in  the  seminary,  working  in  the  summer  as  before.  In  the 
fall  of  1846  he  taught  school  in  Columbia  County,  Pa.,  after 
which  he  again  went  back  to  the  seminary.  This  time  he  taught 
in  the  primary  department  and  carried  on  his  studies  in  the  school. 
In  the  winter  of  1847      taught  school  below  Wilkes-Barre,  near 


236 


Wyoming  Conference 


Mountain  Top.  In  1848-49  he  was  a  part  of  the  time  on  the  farm, 
and  a  part  of  the  time  in  the  seminary.  In  the  fall  of  1849  he 
was  sent  as  supply  to  Mount  Pleasant  and  Bethany  Circuit,  Rev. 
J.  D.  Safford  being  the  preacher  in  charge.  He  had  received 
exhorter's  license  in  1847,  ^^^^  local  preacher's  license  was  given 
him  while  supplying  the  above-named  charge.  In  1850  he  joined 
the  Oneida  Conference,  becoming  a  member  of  this  Conference  at 
its  organization. 

On  September  21,  1852,  he  married  Miss  Ann  Louise  Wells,  at 
the  residence  of  her  uncle,  Cyrus  W.  Bard,  in  Springville,  Pa. 
She  passed  away  on  September  22,  1902. 

He  was  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  Church  papers,  and  especially 
the  Northern  Christian  Advocate,  upon  the  early  days  and  men  of 
our  Conference.  He  had  a  decidedly  poetic  temperament,  and 
wrote  many  commendable  poems,  some  of  which  were  published. 

After  retiring  from  active  work,  he  resided  in  Cortland,  N.  Y., 
with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  N.  H.  Gillette,  where  he  died  on  May  23, 
1903.  He  was  buried  in  Cypress  Hill  Cemetery,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
beside  his  wife,  who  was  laid  to  rest  a  few  months  before. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows  :  1849,  Bethany  and  Mount 
Pleasant  (supply)  ;  1850,  Lackawaxen  ;  1851-52,  Springville  ;  1853, 
Newton;  1854-55,  Northmoreland ;  1856-57,  Hawley;  1858-59, 
Waymart;  i860,  Carverton;  1861-62,  Plymouth;  1863-64,  Dun- 
more;  1865-66,  Waymart;  1867-69,  sd. ;  1870-82,  sy. ;  1883-85, 
Paupack;  1886-88,  North  Fenton  and  New  Ohio;  1889-92,  Lanes- 
boro;  1893,  Union  Center;  1894,  Oak  Street,  Binghamton; 
1895-1902,  sd. 

Roberts,  Eli  Fuller,  was  born  near  Honesdale,  Wayne 
County,  Pa.,  March  26,  1826,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Meshoppen, 
Wyoming  County,  Pa.,  January  21,  1882. 

He  lost  his  father  at  ten  years  of  age,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
the  two  years  his  uncle  gave  him  shelter,  he  was  compelled  to  push 
his  way  through  life  single-handed.  He  was  led  to  Christ  in 
Honesdale  in  his  twenty-first  year.  In  1850,  with  only  an  ex- 
horter's license,  he  was  appointed  by  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard  to 
Abington  as  junior  preacher.  At  the  close  of  his  first  year's  work 
the  charge  was  divided,  and  he  became  the  preacher  in  charge  of 
the  half  which  was  set  of¥  and  called  Newton. 

In  1852  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference  on  trial,  serving  faith- 
fully his  various  charges  until  1862.  While  on  the  Candor  charge 
he  enlisted  and  organized  Company  H  of  the  137th  Regiment  of 
New  York  Volunteers,  and  served  them  as  their  captain  until 


Deceased  Preachers 


237 


promoted  to  the  chaplaincy  of  the  rcginiont.  He  was  in  nineteen 
battles  and  always  at  the  post  of  duty.  He  was  with  ''Hooker 
fighting  above  the  clouds,"  and  with  Sherman  in  his  ''march  to 
the  sea." 

On  September  20,  1849,  married  Miss  Catharine  De  Witt, 
of  Brooklyn,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  who,  with  a  son  and 
daughter,  survived  him.  He  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at 
Meshoppen.  Mrs.  Roberts  died  at  Meshoppen  on  July  23,  1893, 
and  is  buried  beside  her  husband. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1852-53,  Springville ;  1854- 
55,  Mehoopany;  1856,  located;  1857-58,  Rome;  1859,  Orwell; 
1860-61,  Le  Raysville;  1862,  Candor;  1863-65,  Chaplain  to  the 
137th  Regiment  of  New  York  Volunteers;  1866-67,  Sterlingville ; 

1868,  Mehoopany;  1869,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1870,   ;  1871, 

North  Danby;  1872-74,  Hawley;  1875,  Tioga  and  Halsey  Valley; 
1876-77,  Wyalusing;  1878-81,  sy. 

Rockwell,  T.  B.,  was  born  in  Ridgefield,  Conn.,  August  21, 
1808,  and  died  in  Batavia,  111.,  May  16,  1884. 

In  1837,  after  two  years  of  study  at  Cazenovia  Seminary,  he 
joined  Oneida  Conference.  His  health  began  to  fail  in  1854,  and 
he  spent  the  years  of  1854  and  1855  at  the  seashore  hoping  to 
regain  his  health.  In  1856  he  superannuated,  and,  upon  the 
advice  of  physicians,  moved  West  and  settled  in  Batavia.  In  a 
few  years  he  was  so  far  improved  as  to  be  able  to  do  light  work, 
and  he  supplied  several  places  within  the  bounds  of  Rock  River 
Conference.  About  three  years  before  his  death  he  received  a 
partial  stroke  of  paralysis.  His  decline  thereafter  was  gradual 
until  death. 

In  1829  he  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline  Hyatt,  who  died  in 
1872.  In  1875  he  married  Miss  Laura  C.  Curtis,  who  survived 
him.  He  was  the  father  of  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  The 
daughter  gave  herself  to  missionary  work,  became  Mrs.  Downey, 
and  afterward  Mrs.  Thoburn,  and  died  in  India,  the  field  of  her 
labors.  One  son  became  a  minister  of  our  Church,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Genesee  Conference. 

He  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  in  1869  by  the 
accession  of  Oneida  territory. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1837,  Tully;  1838,  Scott; 
1839,  Owasco  Mission;  1840,  Smyrna;  1841-42,  New  Hartford; 
1843-44,  Vernon  Center;  1845-46,  Warren;  1847-48,  Deansville; 
1849-50,  Vernon;  1851-52,  Verona;  1853,  Lenox;  1854-55,  sd. ; 
1856,  New  Woodstock;  1857-84,  sd. 


Wyoming  Conference 


RODNEY  S.  ROSE 


Rose,  Rodney  S.,  was  bom  on  February  6,  1819,  in  Exeter, 
Otsego  County,  X.  Y.  He  was  converted  and  became  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  his  boyhood.  Before 

becoming  of  age  he  reaHzed  a  call  to  the 
ministry,  and  began  very  early  to  pro- 

a\       claim  the  Gospel.    He  received  his  edu- 
\     cation  largely  at  Cortland,  N.  Y.,  and 
A    Cazenovia   Seminary.     He   joined  the 
Oneida  Conference  in  1841,  and  became 
a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  at  its 
organization. 

On  January  14,  1844,  he  married  Miss 
Esther  Thurston,  of  Lewisville,  N.  Y., 
sister  to  Rev.  F.  D.  Thurston,  for  many 
years  a  member  of  Central  New  York 
Conference.  She  died  at  Berkshire, 
X.  Y.,  on  October  2,  1859,  ^.nd  was 
buried  there.  Samuel,  Ella,  and  Anna, 
children  by  this  union,  are  still  living, 
while  Charles  Hedding,  John,  and  Arthur  died  in  infancy.  On 
Februar}'  i,  i860,  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  Kinney,  widow  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Kinney,  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  at  Sweden,  X.  Y.  She 
died  at  \'an  Ettenville,  X'.  Y.,  of  heart  disease,  on  July  12,  i860, 
and  was  buried  at  Lockport,  X'.  Y.,  her  childhood  home.  On 
April  7,  1862,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Louisa  Ward,  of  Candor, 
X.  Y.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Hiram  Ward,  who  was  an  officer 
in  the  Candor  church  many  years,  filling  the  offices  of  Sunday 
school  superintendent,  trustee,  steward,  and  class  leader.  Four 
children  have  been  born  to  them.  Lewis  Stanley  died  at  four 
weeks  of  age.  Olin  Ward  has  been  a  member  of  Upper  Iowa 
Conference  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  now  engaged  in  evan- 
gelistic work.  Mary  is  a  teacher  in  Schenectady,  X.  Y.,  and 
Fanny  is  married  to  a  Mr.  Georgie,  and  lives  in  Minneapolis. 

After  his  superannuation  in  1876  he  resided  in  Candor, 
X.  Y.,  where  he  died  on  December  14,  1900.  He  was  buried  in 
Maplewood  Cemeter}*  in  Candor. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1841-42,  Bainbridge;  1843, 
Xew  Berlin;  1844,  Chenango;  1845,  W'indsor;  1846,  Great  Bend; 
1847-48,  \>stal;  1849-50,  Broome;  1851-52,  Sanford ;  1853-54, 
Mount  Pleasant;  1855-56,  Salem;  1857-58,  Shepherd's  Creek; 
1859-60,  Berkshire;  1861,  Van  Ettenville;  1862-63,  Caroline; 
1864-65,  Fleming\'ille ;  1866-68,  Lackawanna;  1869-70,  X'ewton; 
1871-73,  Springville;  1874-75,  Orwell;  1876-1900,  sd. 


Deceased  Preachers 


239 


Round,  William,  was  born  in  Richfield,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y., 
March  5,  1803,  and  died  at  Manassas,  Va.,  September  5,  1881. 

He  was  converted  at  the  age  of  ten,  and  at  once  began  to  take 
active  part  in  the  social  meetings  of  the 
church.  Two  years  after  his  conversion 
he  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  at  a  camp  meeting  held  by  Lo- 
renzo Dow  in  Winfield,  N.  Y.  After 
spending  five  years  in  teaching  in  public 
schools  he  entered  the  newly  opened 
Cazenovia  Seminary,  where  he  spent 
some  time.  He  joined  the  Genesee  Con- 
ference in  1828,  and  became  a  member  of 
the  Oneida  at  its  organization  in  1829. 
Upon  its  division  in  1852  he  became  a 
member  of  Wyoming. 

At  the  age  of  thirty  he  married  Miss 
Sarah  Ann  Carr,  of  Otego,  N.  Y.,  who 
with  two  sons  and  a  daughter  survived       william  round 
him. 

He  preached  a  semicentennial  sermon  before  the  Conference  in 
1878,  which  was  an  elaborate  expose  of  his  itinerant  life  and  was 
afterward  published  by  request  of  the  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1828,  Fabius;  1829,  Mentz; 
1830-31,  Lebanon;  1832-33,  Chenango;  1834,  Hamilton;  1835, 
Winfield;  1836-37,  Otsego;  1838-39,  Wyoming;  1840,  Bridge- 
water;  1841,  Springville;  1842,  Pittston;  1843-44,  Brooklyn; 
1845-46,  Montrose;  1847-48,  Barton;  1849-50,  Candor;  1851-52, 
Windsor;  1853-54,  Page  Brook;  1855-56,  Gibson;  1857-58, 
Conklin;  1859-60,  Castle  Creek;  1861-62,  Windsor;  1863,  sd. ; 
1864,  Page  Brook;  1865-66,  sd.;  1867,  Windsor;  1868-69, 
Hawleyton ;  1870-81,  sd. 

RowE,  Henry  F.,  was  born  in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  on 
September  19,  1803,  and  died  in  Virginia  on  July  29,  1892. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  converted  and  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  In  August,  1825,  he  joined  the  Genesee  Con- 
ference, and  when  the  Oneida  Conference  was  organized  in  1829 
his  membership  fell  therein,  and  when  Oneida  territory  was  given 
to  Wyoming  Conference  in  1869  he  became  a  member  of  Wyoming 
Conference. 

The  years  of  his  ministry  were  pioneer  years  largely.  He  was 
a  delegate  to  General  Conference  in  1844. 


240 


Wyoming  Conference 


He  was  twice  married :  first  to  Miss  Sally  Marvin,  of  a  family 
renowned  in  the  history  of  Otsego  County  Methodism,  who  died 
about  1864;  second  to  Mrs.  E.  Downing,  of  Schoharie  County, 
N.  Y.  In  1870  they  moved  to  Virginia,  where  this  wife  died  in 
1 87 1.  After  the  death  of  the  second  wife  he  found  kindliest  care 
from  the  daughters  of  his  second  wife. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1825,  Bath ;  1826,  Bloomfield ; 
1827,  Perry;  1828,  Sweden,  N.  C. ;  1829,  Cooperstown;  1830-31, 
Otsego;  1832,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1833-34,  Wyoming;  1835-36,  Hones- 
dale;  1837,  Binghamton;  1838,  Auburn,  N.  Y. ;  1839-40,  Cortland- 
ville;  1841-42,  Newark;  1843,  Tunkhannock;  1844-45,  Nichols; 
1846,  Candor;  1847-48,  CHnton;  1849,  Sauquoit;  1850-51,  Hamp- 
ton; 1852-53,  West  Winfield;  1854-55,  Earlville;  1856-57,  New 
BerHn;  1858,  Clarksville;  1859,  Ames;  i860,  sy. ;  1861-62,  West- 
ville;  1863,  Decatur;  1864,  Sharon  Springs;  1865,  Worcester; 
1866-92,  sd. 


Ryder,  James,  was  born  in  Grantham,  Lincolnshire,  England, 
in  1849.  He  was  converted  in  youth,  joined  the  Wesleyan  Meth- 
odists and  became  a  local  preacher  in  that  body.    In  1872  he 

came  to  America,  and  at  once  identified 
himself  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  His  gifts  were  soon  discovered, 
and  he  soon  won  the  esteem  and  confi- 
dence of  our  ministry.  He  united  with 
the  W^yoming  Conference  in  1876,  after 
serving  Spencer  as  supplv  from  1873  to 
1875. 

With  the  advantages  of  a  liberal 
education,  vivid  imagination,  retentive 
memory,  good  command  of  language, 
almost  tireless  energy,  and  great  enthu- 
siasm, he  became  at  once  a  successful 
minister  of  Christ.  At  the  close  of  one 
year's  work  at  Athens  he  asked  for  a 
supernumerary  relation,  thinking  that  he 
might  restore  his  depleted  nervous  organism.  It  could  not  be 
strengthened.  Overwork  had  so  undermined  his  constitution  that 
he  could  not  rally.  On  the  afternoon  of  June  12,  1886,  the  spirit 
took  its  flight.   He  was  buried  in  Spencer,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1873-75,  Spencer  (supply); 
1876-78,  Fly  Creek;  1879-81,  Bainbridge;  1882-84,  Unadilla; 
1885,  Athens;  1886,  sy. 


JAMES  RYDER 


Deceased  Preachers 


241 


Ruger,  Morgan,  was  born  in  1805  in  Montgomery  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  died  on  October  11,  1851,  on  the  Page  Brook  Circuit. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  he  became  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  He  was  given  an  exhorter's  Hcense  October 
7,  1826,  by  Rev.  John  Roper.  In  1828  he  received  a  local  preach- 
er's license  bearing  the  signature  of  D.  Barnes,  presiding  elder. 
In  1829  he  was  received  on  trial  in  the  Oneida  Conference,  re- 
ceived into  full  connection  in  1831,  and  ordained  deacon  by  Bishop 
Soule.  He  received  elder's  orders  in  1834  from  Bishop  Hedding. 
His  death  was  sudden  and  painful,  resulting  from  an  attack 
of  apoplexy. 

A  memoir  was  published  in  the  first  volume  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference Minutes.  He,  however,  died  the  fall  before  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Conference,  and  consequently  was  never  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference. 

S AFFORD,  John  D.,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  Susquehanna 
County,  Pa.,  September  14,  1817.  A  mother's  influence,  and  help- 
ful reading  found  in  the  Sunday  school  library,  prepared  him  for 
the  reception  of  Christ  as  his  Saviour.  At  a  camp  meeting  held 
in  Brooklyn  in  1841  he  began  to  seek  pardon  for  his  sin.  Peace 
was  found  on  the  Sunday  following  the  close  of  the  camp  meet- 
ing. In  the  district  school  which  he  taught  the  following  winter 
fourteen  of  his  scholars  were  converted.  In  1842  he  was  made 
Sunday  school  superintendent,  appointed  class  leader,  and  given 
an  exhorter's  license.  He  received  local  preacher's  license  in 
1843,  the  following  year  was  called  to  fill  a  vacancy  on  the 
Providence  Circuit,  which  recommended  him  the  same  year  to 
the  Oneida  Conference,  into  which  he  was  received.  He  received 
deacon's  orders  in  1846,  and  elder's  orders  in  1848. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1844,  Providence;  1845- 
46,  Lackawaxen;  1847,  Newport  Mission;  1848,  Northmore- 
land;  1849,  Bethany  and  Mount  Pleasant;  1850-51,  Beach  Pond; 
1852,  Newton. 

He  died  at  Ransom,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  October  11,  1852, 
and  was  buried  at  Brooklyn,  Pa. 

Sartell,  C.  W.,  was  born  in  1849.  He  consecrated  himself  to 
Christ  in  his  eighteenth  year,  and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  After  holding  a  local  preacher's  license  several  years  he 
joined  Wyoming  Conference  on  trial  in  1871,  and  was  appointed 
to  Union  Center.  Failure  of  health  compelled  him  to  seek  recu- 
peration. In  1873  he  was  so  far  restored  as  to  be  able  to  take 
16 


242 


Wyoming  Conference 


work,  and  he  was  appointed  to  the  Oregon  charge.  In  1874  he 
was  sent  as  junior  preacher  to  Lehman.  He,  however,  worked 
but  a  few  months  when  he  was  again  laid  aside  by  sickness.  On 
February  6,  1875,  he  died  in  the  home  of  his  parents  at  Ararat, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  of  typhoid  pneumonia.  Thus  he  passed 
away  before  his  Conference  probationary  period  was  completed. 

ScHOFiELD,  Abraham,  was  born  in  Littleboro,  Lancashire, 
England,  on  June  10,  1859,  ^^^^  the  parsonage  in  Spring- 
ville,  Pa.,  of  typhoid  fever  on  September  2,  1897.    His  remains 

were  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Lynn, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa. 

He  was  reared  in  a  Methodist  home 
and  converted  at  nine  years  of  age.  His 
zeal  in  Christ's  service  led  the  Church 
to  give  him  a  license  to  preach  when  he 
was  seventeen  years  of  age.    When  he 
decided  to  give  himself  wholly  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  he  entered  Harley 
College,  London,  for  better  preparation, 
from  which  institution  he  graduated  in 
1886.    He  came  to  America  in  the  Sep- 
tember after  graduation  and  accepted  the 
pastorate  of  a  Congregational  church  in 
ABRAHAM  SCHOFIELD     Wiscousiu.     His   lovc   for  Mcthodism 
prompted  him  to  return  to  the  Church  of 
his  fathers.    He  accordingly  sought  admission,  and  was  received 
into  Wyoming  Conference  in  1889.    He  has  a  brother  preaching 
for  the  Congregationalists  in  Canada. 

On  December  12,  1888,  he  married  Miss  Delia  Randall,  of 
Avoca,  Wis.,  who  with  two  children  survives  him. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1889,  Paupack ;  1890-91, 
Triangle;   1892,  Askam ;   1893-94,  Rush;   1895-97,  Springville. 

Smith,  Erastus,  was  born  in  New  York  State,  and  was  con- 
verted in  May,  1826.  He  was  sent  out  as  a  supply  in  183 1,  and 
in  1832  joined  the  Oneida  Conference,  and  became  a  member  of 
Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organization.  After  his  superannua- 
tion he  moved  to  Illinois,  where  he  did  considerable  work  as  sup- 
ply within  the  bounds  of  Rock  River  Conference.  He  labored 
about  fifteen  years  as  Agent  for  the  American  Bible  Socity.  In 
the  autumn  of  1884,  realizing  that  he  was  fast  approaching  the 
end  of  life,  he  adjusted  his  earthly  affairs  and  removed  to  Nor- 


Deceased  Preachers 


243 


mal,  where,  at  the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  F.  C.  Hathaway, 
the  golden  wedding  was  celebrated.  Health  rapidly  declined  un- 
til he  passed  away  on  February  27,  1885. 

On  October  14,  1834,  he  married  Miss  Clarissa  Landon,  who 
survived  him  until  December  26,  1889.  To  them  were  born  ten 
children,  nine  of  whom  survived  the  death  of  their  parents. 
Erastus  is  a  minister  in  Nebraska.  Another  son,  Melvin  C,  is 
a  member  of  Central  Illinois  Conference.  Mrs.  Hathaway  is 
superintendent  of  the  State  evangelical  work  of  the  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union.  Casa  is  a  well-known  evangelist 
in  the  East,  while  Libby  was  a  successful  evangelist  in  our 
midst. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1832,  Bethany  and  Hones- 
dale;  1833,  Pittston;  1834,  Canaan;  1835,  Bridgewater;  1836, 
Nichols;  1837-38,  Vestal;  1839-40,  Orwell;  1841-42,  Brooklyn; 
1843,  Nichols;  1844-45,  Barton;  1846-47,  Northmoreland ;  1848, 
Pittston;  1849,  sy.,  and  supply  at  Northmoreland;  1850-51, 
Springville;  1852-53,  Beach  Pond;  1854-55,  Waymart;  1856-57, 
Newport;  1858-84,  sd. 

ScHOFiELD,  James,  was  born  in  Mosley,  near  Manchester,  Eng- 
land, on  July  30,  1840,  and  died  in  Camptown,  Pa.,  on  August  4, 
1899. 

He  was  converted  early  in  life,  but 
did  not  make  a  public  confession  of 
Christ  until  he  was  eighteen  years 
old.  He  received  exhorter's  license  in 
England. 

In  1865  he  came  to  America  and  set- 
tled in  Valley  Falls,  R.  I.,  where  he  re- 
sided a  little  over  two  years.  Early  in 
1868  he  went  to  Baltic,  Conn. 

On  November  26,  1868,  he  married 
Miss  Sarah  Jane  Skelding,  who  with 
five  children  survived  him. 

His  body  was  laid  in  the  Camptown 
cemetery. 

In  1873  he  was  given  a  local  preach-        james  schofield 
er's  license,  and  as  a  local  preacher 

preached  at  Lebanon  and  New  Bedford,  Conn.  In  188 1  he 
moved  to  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  and  in  1883  he  joined  the  St.  John's 
River  Conference.  In  the  autumn  of  1896  he  was  transferred  to 
Wyoming  Conference  and  stationed  at  Mehoopany,  filling  the 


244 


Wyoming  Conference 


vacancy  caused  by  Rev.  G.  H.  Northrup's  seeking  a  milder  cli- 
mate for  the  benefit  of  his  health. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1883,  St.  John's  River 
Conference;  1883-85,  Orange  City;  1886-89,  Windsor;  1890-94, 
Lake  Como;  1895-96,  Fruitland  Park;  1896,  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence; 1896-98,  Mehoopany;  1899,  Camptown. 

Severson,  George  A.,  was  born  in  Guilderland,  Albany 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  July  10,  1818,  and  died  in  his  home  in  Bing- 
hamton,  N.  Y.,  on  September  16,  1894. 

He  was  of  German  stock,  his  parents 
being  of  the  German  Reformed  and  Lu- 
theran Churches.  He  moved  to  Broome 
County  in  early  manhood.  At  about 
twenty-five  years  of  age  he  was  con- 
verted while  he  was  walking  along  the 
road,  and  about  six  weeks  afterward 
was  blessed  with  the  experience  of 
sanctification. 

In  1856  he  entered  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence and  labored,  with  the  exception  of 
one  year,  continuously  in  the  ministry 
until  1887,  when  he  superannuated  and 
settled  in  Binghamton,  where  he  died 
GEORGE  A.  SEVERSON      after  a  lingering  sickness  of  about  two 
years.    He  was  a  great  sufferer.   At  last 
typhoid  fever  set  in  and  took  him  off.    He  was  buried  in  Spring 
Forest  Cemetery,  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

While  living  in  Albany  County  he  was  captain  in  the  150th 
Regiment  of  New  York  State  Infantry. 

On  November  13,  1838,  he  married  Miss  Helen  Hogan,  at 
Clarksville,  Albany  County,  N.  Y.  She  with  two  daughters  and 
three  sons  survived  him,  one  of  whom  is  Rev.  O.  L.  Severson, 
Ph.D.,  of  this  Conference. 

Revivals  occurred  on  almost  every  charge  he  served,  and  some 
of  them  were  very  remarkable  ones,  specially  those  at  Choconut 
Center,  Harpursville,  Sterling,  Moscow,  and  Dunmore. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1856,  Choconut  Center; 
1857-58,  Osborne  Hollow;  1859-60,  Harpursville;  1861,  Castle 
Creek;  1862,  Great  Bend  and  New  Milford ;  1863,  located;  1864- 
66,  Gibson;  1867-68,  Sterling;  1869-71,  Moscow;  1872-74,  Dun- 
more;  1875-77,  Waverly,  Pa.;  1878-79,  North  Fenton ;  1880-81, 
Otego;  1882-83,  Sidney  Plains;  1884-86,  Windsor;  1887-94,  sd. 


Deceased  Preachers 


245 


bHELP,  William,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Jessup,  Susquehanna 
County,  Pa.,  December  18,  1827,  and  died  April  29,  1882,  at  the 
residence  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Nettie  E.  Dymond,  in  FrankHn 
township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  His 
funeral  services  were  held  at  Fairdale, 
in  which  place  he  was  buried. 

He  was  converted  in  his  sixteenth 
year,  and  at  once  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  soon  became  use- 
ful as  class  leader  and  Sunday  school 
superintendent. 

He  joined  the  Oneida  Conference  in 
1 85 1,  and  the  following  year  became  a 
member  of  Wyoming  Conference.  Here 
he  served  the  Church  continuously  until 
a  short  time  before  his  death,  except  the 
two  years  of  location,  in  which  he  pur- 
sued a  course  of  study  in  medicine,  re- 
ceiving his  diploma  as  M.D. 

On  March  25,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Patience  Robinson,  by 
whom  ten  children  were  born  to  him,  two  sons  and  eight  daugh- 
ters. On  August  31,  1870,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  P. 
Parks,  of  Rome,  Bradford  County,  Pa.,  who  with  the  children 
by  the  first  marriage  survived  him. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1851,  Brooklyn;  1852-53, 
Thompson ;  1854-55,  Dundaff  and  Glenwood ;  1856-57,  Madison 
Mission;  1858-59,  Sanford ;  1860-61,  Beach  Pond;  1862-63,  Dun- 
daff;  1864-65,  located;  1866-67,  Fairdale;  1868-69,  Rush  Mis- 
sion; 1870-71,  Rome;  1872-74,  Mehoopany ;  1875-77,  North- 
moreland;  1878-80,  Newton;  1881,  Lehman;  1882,  sd. 

Smith,  Charles  C,  was  born  in  New  Berlin,  N.  Y.,  October 
27,  1828.  He  was  converted  in  Guilford,  N.  Y.,  in  1849.  ^ 
revival  service  conducted  by  Rev.  P.  G.  White.  He  joined  Wyo- 
ming Conference  on  trial  in  May,  1858,  having  been  duly  recom- 
mended by  the  Court  Street  (Tabernacle)  Quarterly  Conference. 
His  labors  as  a  local  preacher  in  this  church  had  been  a  blessing 
to  the  church  and  gave  his  name  a  fragrance  not  soon  forgotten. 
In  1858  he  was  appointed  to  Moscow,  and  the  following  year  he 
was  sent  to  Cherry  Ridge.  During  the  year  he  succumbed  to  the 
ravages  of  consumption  and  was  forced  to  quit  work.  On  Sep- 
tember 20,  i860,  his  spirit  took  its  flight.  He  lies  in  the  ceme- 
tery at  Cherry  Ridge. 


246 


Wyoming  Conference 


Shepard,  David  A.,  was  born  in  Augusta,  Oneida  County, 
N.  Y.,  on  June  2,  1802.  His  parents  were  among  the  early  set- 
tlers of  that  county.    Their  home  was  not  only  a  house  of  prayer, 

but  a  home  for  the  itinerant.     In  his 
sixteenth   year   he    sought   and  found 
peace  in  Christ.    At  eighteen  he  received 
exhorter's  license,  and  at  twenty  local 
preacher's   license.     After   serving  as 
supply  under  the  presiding  elder  two 
years  he  joined  the  Genesee  Conference 
in  1824.    Thus  commenced  a  ministerial 
life  which  continued  through  fifty  years 
of  active  service,  and  won  many  hun- 
dreds of  souls  to  Christ.    He  died  at  his 
daughter's  home,  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
on   October  8,   1876.    His  death  was 
singularly  beautiful  and  triumphant.  He 
DAVID  A.  SHEPARD       bccamc  a  member  of  Oneida  and  Wyo- 
ming Conferences  at  their  organization. 
In  1828  he  married  Miss  Maria  R.  Robie,  daughter  of  John 
E.  Robie,  who  was  editor  of  the  Northern  Christian  Advocate 
for  many  years.    She  survived  her  husband  until  March  20,  1888, 
when  she  passed  away. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1824,  Steuben;  1825, 
Herkimer;  1826-27,  Wyalusing;  1828-29,  Owego,  1830-31, 
Berkshire;  1832-33,  Binghamton ;  1834,  Ithaca;  1835,  Utica; 
1836-39,  Presiding  Elder  on  Chenango  District;  1840-43,  Pre- 
siding Elder  on  Cayuga  District;  1844-45,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1846, 
Utica;  1847-49,  Presiding  Elder  on  Susquehanna  District;  1850- 
53,  Presiding  Elder  on  Wyoming  District;  1854-55,  Henry 
Street,  Binghamton;  1856,  sd. ;  1857-58,  Waverly  and  Factory- 
ville ;  1859-60,  Carbondale;  1861,  Hawley ;  1862,  Presiding  Elder 
on  Owego  District;  1863,  Owego;  1864,  Chaplain  in  Auburn 
Prison;  1865-67,  Union;  1868,  Hyde  Park,  Scranton ;  1869-72, 
Chaplain  in  Auburn  Prison;  1873-76,  sd. 

Spencer,  Francis,  died  at  Lanesboro,  Pa.,  September  18,  1862, 
being  forty-two  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

He  was  converted  in  his  eighteenth  year,  at  Springville,  Pa., 
and  joined  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Subsequently  he  joined  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  Harmony,  N.  J.,  and  was  given 
an  exhorter's  license  by  the  church  in  that  place.  In  June,  1848, 
he  was  granted  a  local  preacher's  license  by  the  Quarterly  Con- 


Deceased  Preachers 


247 


ference  of  Springville  Circuit,  and  in  1852  was  ordained  a  local 
deacon  by  Bishop  Scott.  In  1855  joined  Wyoming-  Conference 
on  trial,  was  admitted  into  full  connection  in  1857,  received 
elder's  orders  from  Bishop  Waugh  in  1858.  Prior  to  his  joining- 
the  Conference  he  served  several  years  as  supply  under  the  pre- 
siding elder.  His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1855-56,  San- 
ford;  1857-58,  Salem;  1859-60,  Mount  Pleasant;  1861,  Page 
Brook;  1862,  Lanesboro. 

Smith,  Young  C,  D.D.,  was  born  on  February  14,  1820,  in 
South  New  Berlin,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.  His  early  educa- 
tional advantages  were  such  as  the  common  school  and  an  occa- 
sional term  in  a  select  school  afiforded. 
With  these  aids  he  made  sufficient  at- 
tainments to  venture  upon  the  work  of 
teaching,  and  taught  his  first  school 
when  fourteen  years  of  age.  It  was 
during  this  year  that  he  gave  his  heart 
to  Christ.  He  studied  in  Oxford  Acad- 
emy in  1839-40,  and  in  184 1  entered 
Cazenovia  Seminary,  where  he  finished 
his  college  preparatory  work.  In  1846 
he  entered  the  junior  class  in  Union  Col- 
lege, and  graduated  with  honor  in  1848, 
being  one  of  a  class  of  eighty.  He  at 
once  took  charge  of  Deerfield  Academy, 
in  Knoxville,  Pa.  He  did  not  finish  the 
year  there,  however,  as  a  more  inviting 
position  opened  to  him  in  Wyoming  Seminary.  Here  he  taught 
the  ancient  languages  about  fifteen  years.  In  1862  he  was  elected 
president  of  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  served  in  this  capacity 
over  a  year,  when  he  resigned  and  entered  the  pastorate. 

He  received  local  preacher's  license  from  the  Cazenovia 
church  about  the  time  he  left  Cazenovia  Seminary. 

In  1852  he  joined  the  Conference  on  trial,  having  received 
deacon's  orders  previously.  In  1854  he  received  local  elder's 
orders,  but  did  not  come  into  full  membership  in  the  Conference. 
In  1856  he  again  joined  the  Conference  on  trial,  becoming  a  full 
member  in  due  time. 

On  November  9,  1859,  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Wood,  at  that 
time,  and  for  several  years  previous,  preceptress  at  Wyoming 
Seminary,  a  woman  of  rare  gifts  and  consecrated  life.  She  died 
at  West  Pittston,  September  5,  1890.  Three  sons  and  two  daugh- 


248 


Wyoming  Conference 


ters  were  born  to  them.  Rev.  Wesley  W.  was  a  member  of  this 
Conference  several  years,  and  is  now  pastor  of  a  Congregational 
cliurch.  Frank  and  Lester  are  electrical  engineers.  The  living 
daughter  is  the  wife  of  Attorney  Robert  L.  Stuart,  of  Carbondale. 

He  received  the  degree  of  M.A.,  in  citrsu,  three  years  after 
graduation,  from  Union  College.  In  1868  Dickinson  College 
conferred  the  degree  of  D.D.  upon  him.  In  1880  he  was  elected 
by  his  Conference  a  delegate  to  General  Conference.  In  1891 
he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Ecumenical  Conference  of  Methodism 
which  met  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

He  died  at  the  home  of  his  son-in-law  in  Carbondale,  on  Octo- 
ber 19,  1902,  and  was  laid  to  rest,  by  the  side  of  his  wife,  in  the 
Forty  Fort  cemetery. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1856-62,  Professor  in  Wyo- 
ming Seminary;  1863,  Carverton;  1864-66,  Franklin  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre ;  1867-69,  Pittston;  1870-71,  Carbondale;  1872-76, 
sy. ;  1877,  Thompson;  1878,  Oneonta,  1879-82,  Presiding  Elder 
on  Owego  District;  1883-85,  Wyoming;  1886-87,  Parsons;  1888, 
Agent  Preachers'  Aid  Society;  1889-90,  sy. ;  1891-1902,  sd. 

SouTHWORTH,  Reuben  S.,  was  born  at  New  Lisbon,  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  February,  1818,  and  died  at  Litchfield,  Brad- 
ford County,  Pa.,  December  10,  1875.    He  was  born  again  under 

the  ministry  of  Rev.  William  Burnside 
in  1842,  and  immediately  began  active 
Church  work.  After  serving  two  years 
as  supply  he  joined  the  Oneida  Confer- 
ence on  trial  in  185 1,  and  became  a 
member  of  Wyoming  Conference  by  the 
accession  of  territory  in  1869. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows : 
1851,  Richmondville ;  1852,  Smyrna; 
1853-54,  Bainbridge;  1855-56,  Warren; 
1857,  Deansville;  1858-59,  Sangerfield ; 
i860,  Augusta;  1861,  Knox  Corners; 
1862-63,  Lowell ;  1864-65,  Schuyler's 
Lake;  1866-68,  Exeter;  1869-71,  Mason- 
ville;  1872-73,  Schuyler's  Lake;  1874- 

REUBEN   S.    SOUTHWORTH     ^-^  Litchficld. 

Spencer,  Samuel  W.,  was  born  in  Wantage,  Sussex  County, 
N.  J.,  on  August  I,  1836,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  New 
York  city.  ''His  father  was  a  Baptist  preacher  of  prominence,  but 


Deceased  Preachers 


249 


the  son  chose  to  make  his  home  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  to  whose  doctrines  and  iisuages  he  gave  unswerving 
loyalty." 

Early  in  the  war  for  the  Union  he  enlisted  in  the  67th  Ohio 
Infantry,  and  served  four  and  a  half  years. 

On  July  29,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Florence  A.  Sanders,  of 
Litchfield,  Pa.,  who  with  six  children  survived  him. 

He  suffered  greatly  from  rheumatism  and  heart  disease,  and 
of  the  latter  died  very  suddenly  at  his  home  in  Mount  Pleasant, 
Mich.,  on  June  5,  1893.  His  body  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery 
at  Mount  Pleasant,  Mich. 

On  most  of  his  charges  refreshing  showers  of  grace  were  ex- 
perienced, notably  at  Sanford,  where  two  hundred  and  fifty  were 
converted. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1873,  and  two  years  after 
superannuation  moved  West. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1873,  Broome ;  1874,  Lanes- 
boro;  1875-76,  Hawleyton ;  1877-78,  Sanford;  1879-80,  sy. ;  1881, 
Rileyville;  1882,  Canaan;  1883-84,  Narrowsburg;  1885-93,  sd. 

Sperry,  Aaron  C,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Alford,  Mass.,  on 
March  24,  1821,  and  died  in  Whitney's  Point,  N.  Y.,  on  August 
18,  1894,  having  suffered  some  time  with  progressive  paralysis. 

His  father  dying  while  he  was  but  a 
young  lad,  he  was  left  to  the  care  of  his 
mother  and  sisters,  who  were  devoted 
Methodists.  Converted  when  quite 
young,  and  early  believing  himself  called 
to  the  ministry,  he  studied  in  Coopers- 
town  Academy  and  subsequently  in 
Cazenovia  Seminary. 

After  serving  some  time  as  supply  un- 
der the  presiding  elder,  he  joined  Oneida 
Conference  in  1849,  becoming  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference  at  its  organiza- 
tion. After  his  superannuation  in  1889 
he  moved  to  Whitney's  Point,  where  he 
lived  until  death.  aaron  c.  sperry 

In  1850  he  married  Miss  Abigail  Cul- 
ver, of  Ames,  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.    Two  children  were 
born  to  them,  Maria,  who  died  at  Lisle,  N.  Y.,  when  in  her  tenth 
year,  and  Almiron  M.,  now  practicing  law  in  Binghamton.  Father 
and  daughter  lie  side  by  side  in  the  Lisle  cemetery. 


250 


Wyoming  Conference 


He  was  a  cousin  of  Rev.  Lyman  Sperry. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1849,  Ames;  1850,  Berk- 
shire; 1851,  Vestal;  1852,  Conklin;  1853,  Conklin  and  Loder- 
ville;  1854-55,  Maine;  1856,  Page  Brook;  1857-58,  Castle  Creek; 
1859-60,  Lisle  and  Whitney's  Point;  1861-62,  Little  Meadows; 
1863-65,  Brooklyn;  1866-67,  Rome;  1868-69,  Orwell;  1870-72, 
Harford  and  South  Gibson ;  1873,  West  Nicholson ;  1874,  Osborne 
Hollow;  1875,  Chenango;  1876-77,  North  Fenton;  1878-80,  Whit- 
ney's Point;  1881-82,  Chenango  Forks;  1883-84,  Triangle;  1885- 
86,  Willet;  1887-88,  Oakland ;  1889-94,  sd. 

Sperry,  Lyman,  was  born  in  Alford,  Mass.,  on  December  15, 
1808,  and  died  in  Unadilla,  N.  Y.,  on  May  18,  1892.  "For  sev- 
eral years  he  had  been  confined  to  the  house  by  a  singular  and 

painful  prostration  of  the  muscular  sys- 
tem, which  gradually  wore  him  until 
death  came  as  a  friendly  release." 

Early  in  life  his  family  settled  in  the 
vicinity  which  became  his  home  in  old 
age.  Here  he  made  for  himself  an 
enviable  reputation  as  a  teacher,  when 
only  nineteen  years  of  age. 

He  was  converted  at  a  camp  meeting 
held  on  Bowe  Hill  (situated  a  few  miles 
above  Laurens,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.) 
while  he  was  still  a  young  man. 

He  was  licensed  to  exhort  by  John 
Roper  in  1828,  and  in  1829  joined  Onei- 
LYMAN  SPERRY  Confcreucc,  becoming  a  member  of 

Wyoming  Conference  with  the  acces- 
sion of  Oneida  territory  in  1869. 

On  January  8,  1832,  he  married  Miss  Amanda  K.  Robertson, 
of  Unadilla,  N.  Y.,  who  kept  step  with  him  until  April  17,  1890, 
when  she  passed  away.  To  them  were  born  two  children,  a 
daughter  whose  qualities  as  a  teacher  were  rare,  and  a  son  who 
was  for  some  time  editor  of  the  Wilmington  Morning  News,  and 
afterward  minister  plenipotentiary  to  Persia  from  the  United 
States  of  America.  Huband  and  wife  are  buried  in  the  cemetery 
at  Unadilla. 

He  was  studious  throughout  his  ministerial  life ;  indeed,  after 
marriage  he  began  the  study  of  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew,  and 
became  proficient  in  them. 

In  1852  he  was  a  delegate  to  General  Conference. 


Deceased  Preachers 


251 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1829,  Sharon;  1830-31, 
Chenango;  1832-33,  Cherry  Valley;  1834-35,  Spring-field;  1836- 
37,  Oxford;  1838-39,  Norwich;  1840-41,  Sauqiioit ;  1842-43, 
Oxford;  1844,  Agent  of  Wesleyan  University;  1845,  Cazenovia ; 
1846-49,  Presiding  Elder  on  Otsego  District;  1850-53,  Presiding 
Elder  on  Oneida  District;  1854-55;  Unadilla ;  1856,  sy. ;  1857, 
Unadilla  Mission;  1858-59,  sy. ;  i860.  Mount  Upton;  1861-62, 
sy. ;  1863-64,  Bainbridge;  1865,  Sidney;  1866,  Bainbridge;  1867, 
Sherburne;  1868-70,  Guilford;  1871-72,  sy. ;  1873-92,  sd. 

Stone,  Samuel  Mattison,  was  born  on  April  30,  1819,  at 
Augusta,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  His  father  gave  hinr  the  name 
of  Mattison  because  of  his  love  for  Rev.  Seth  Mattison,  a  Meth- 
odist minister  of  old-time  power.  He  was 
one  of  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  be- 
came members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 
When  ten  years  of  age  he  was  converted 
at  a  camp  meeting  held  at  his  native  place, 
which  was  attended  by  Bishop  Roberts. 
Some  time  after  this  he  became  a  member 
of  the  church  at  Stockbridge,  N.  Y.,  of 
which  his  father  was  one  of  the  founders. 

His  education  preparatory  to  the  min- 
istry was  received  at  Cazenovia  Semi- 
nary. 

In  1841  he  received  an  exhorter's 
license,  and  in  the  following  year  local 
preacher's  license.  samuel  m.  stone 

On  October  23,  1842,  he  married  Miss 
Lydia  E.  Cook,  of  Stockbridge,  N.  Y.,  who  survives  him. 

In  the  spring  of  1844  he  removed  to  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin, 
and  settled  in  Fort  Atkinson,  and  soon  identified  himself  with  the 
church  there.  By  the  church  in  this  place  he  was  recommended 
to  Conference,  and  he  accordingly  joined  the  Rock  River  Con- 
ference in  August,  1847,  and  received  deacon's  orders  from  the 
same  session  of  Conference.  His  first  appointment  was  Winne- 
bago County,  Wis.  He  lived  at  Oshkosh,  on  the  shore  of  Winne- 
bago Lake,  in  a  log  house  which  measured  on  the  inside  ten  by 
twelve  feet.  It  had  a  cellar,  and  a  guest  chamber  two  logs  high, 
where  the  presiding  elder  and  other  guests  were  lodged.  He  was 
the  first  Methodist  minister  with  a  family  to  live  in  Oshkosh.  In 
1848  the  Rock  River  Conference  was  divided,  a  part  of  its  terri- 
tory becoming  the  Wisconsin  Conference,  and  he  thus  became  a 


252 


Wyoming  C6nference 


member  of  Wisconsin  Conference.  His  appointment  this  year 
was  Centerville.  Here  he  found  no  house  to  Hve  in  except  a  very 
uncomfortable  log  house.  He  was  offered  a  building  lot  in  a  new 
village  if  he  would  agree  to  build  a  house  on  it.  He  accepted  the 
lot.  While  he  had  never  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  he  went 
to  the  woods  and  cut  and  hewed  the  timbers  for  the  frame  of  his 
house.  He  then  borrowed  an  ox  team  and  hauled  the  lumber 
needed  from  Winnebago.  The  lumber  being  green,  the  house 
was  not  very  comfortable  the  first  winter,  but  thereafter  was  very 
satisfactory.  He  served  this  charge  two  years,  and  in  1850  was 
sent  to  Lowell.  In  his  second  year  on  this  charge,  1851,  fever  so 
far  reduced  him  in  strength  that  he  felt  compelled  to  locate  in 
1852,  and  returned  East.  The  change  of  climate  was  so  helpful 
that  in  1854  he  accepted  work,  taking  Vernon  Village,  N.  Y.,  as 
supply,  and  in  1855  he  was  admitted  to  Oneida  Conference  and 
sent  to  Decatur.  Failing  health  caused  him  to  superannuate  in 
1867,  and  in  the  same  spring  he  moved  to  Burleigh,  Cape  May 
County,  N.  J.,  where  he  died  on  December  9,  1901.  After  moving 
to  New  Jersey  he  did  some  work,  supplying  Hamilton,  South 
River,  and  Asbury  charges  in  the  New  Jersey  Conference.  He 
became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  by  the  acquisition  of 
Oneida  territory  in  1869. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1855-56,  Decatur;  1857, 
Laurens;  1858,  Oneonta ;  1859,  sy. ;  1860-61,  Vernon  Center; 
1862-63,  Westmoreland;  1864-66,  Warren;  1867-1901,  sd. 

Swallow,  Miner,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Plains  township, 
Pa.,  on  September  10,  181 5,  and  died  in  his  home  in  Kingston, 
Pa.,  on  July  6,  1898. 

His  father's  home  was  the  itinerants'  home,  and  he  early  became 
associated  with  the  spirit  of  Methodism. 

On  April  19,  1841,  he  married  Miss  Eliza  ^lary  Dobson,  of 
Plains,  Pa.  She  preceded  him  to  the  heavenly  country,  dying  on 
January  15,  1893.  Husband  and  wife  are  buried  in  the  Forty 
Fort  cemetery. 

In  1854  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference.  After  he  ceased  the 
active  work  of  the  ministry  he  settled  in  Kingston,  where  he 
spent  the  balance  of  his  life. 

His  love  for  the  educational  work  of  the  Church  is  evinced  by 
the  fact  that  he  deeded  his  home  in  Kingston,  worth  about  $8,000, 
to  Wyoming  Seminary. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1854,  Choconut ;  1855-56, 
Thompson;  1857-58,  Salem;  1859,  Damascus;  i860,  Lackawanna; 


Deceased  Preachers 


2S3 


1861-62,  South  Danby;  1863,  Plainsville;  1864-65,  Newport; 
1866,  New  Town;  1867,  Tioga;  1868,  sy. ;  1869-70,  Tract  Agent; 
1871-72,  Bush;  1873-74,  sd. ;  1875,  sy.,  Mountain  Top;  1876-92, 
sy. ;  1893-98,  sd. 

SwARTZ,  Taylor  D.,  was  born  at  Moscow,  Pa.,  December  15, 
1836.  He  was  converted  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  and  soon  began 
to  manifest  gifts  which  led  the  Church  to  call  him  to  special 
work.  He  spent  some  time  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  was 
recognized  as  a  diligent  student.  After  supplying  Dundaff  and 
Lackawanna  charges  one  year  each  he  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence on  trial  in  1862  and  was  sent  to  Lackawanna  for  another 
year.  In  1863  and  1864  he  was  appointed  to  Northmoreland 
Circuit. 

On  August  31,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  210th  Regiment 
of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  was  soon  afterward  elected 
chaplain  of  the  regiment,  which  position  he  filled  until  disease 
disqualified  him  for  work.  He  died  March  30,  1865,  at  City 
Point  Hospital. 

He  lies  in  the  Moscow  cemetery,  and  his  grave  is  marked 
by  a  suitable  stone  erected  by  the  members  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference. The  stone  is  of  Vermont  Italian  marble,  nearly  six 
feet  in  height.  Its  cost  was  $200,  and  bears  an  inscription  stating 
that  it  was  erected  to  his  memory  by  the  Wyoming  Annual 
Conference. 

Taylor,  Corrington  E.,  was  born  in  Rome,  Bradford  County, 
Pa.,  and  died  at  Whitney's  Point,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.,  on 
April  23,  1888. 

He  was  converted  in  early  life,  and  in 
due  time  entered  the  ministry  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  joining  the 
Oneida  Conference  in  1842  and  becoming 
a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  at 
its  organization. 

He  was  married  in  1845,  lived  in 
joyous  relation  with  his  zealous  wife 
until  her  death  on  October  5,  1884. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows: 
1842,  Pike;  1843-44,  Skinner's  Eddy; 
1845-46,  Abington ;  1847-48,  Salem ; 
1849-50,  Northmoreland;  1851-52,  Skin- 
ner's  Eddy;    1853,   Hawley;    1854-55,   corrington  e.  taylor 


254 


Wyoming  Conference 


Beach  Pond;  1856-57,  Orwell;  1858-59,  Windham;  1860-61,  Bar- 
ton; 1862-63,  Castle  Creek;  1864-65,  Abington ;  1866-68,  Little 
Meadows;  1869-70,  Whitney's  Point;  1871,  sd. ;  1872-73,  Che- 
nango ;  1874-88,  sd. 

Taylor,  Fred  P.,  died  at  W^ells  Bridge,  N.  Y.,  August  9,  1879, 
aged  twenty-four  years  and  twenty-seven  days. 

He  was  converted  in  a  revival  at  Smyrna,  under  the  labors  of 
Rev.  S.  Moore,  and  immediately  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  After  a  brief  period  of  schooling  in  Elmira  he  went  to 
Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  spent  two  years  in  hard  study. 

In  March,  1876,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Chenango 
District  Conference.  He  served  Osborne  Hollow  as  supply  in 
1876-77,  joined  the  Conference  in  1878,  and  was  returned  to 
Osborne  Hollow  for  the  third  year.  In  1879  he  was  sent  to 
Wells  Bridge,  w^here  he  labored  but  a  few  months,  dying  after 
about  two  weeks  of  painful  sickness. 

On  September  26,  1876,  he  married  Nettie  A.,  daughter  of 
Rev.  A.  Eastman,  an  honored  local  preacher  of  our  Church,  who 
survives  him. 


Thomas,  Walter  B.,  was  born  in  Ewhurst  Green,  Sussex 
County,  England,  on  December  31,  1819,  and  died  in  Carbon- 
dale,  Pa.,  on  May  13,  1897. 

His  parents  were  both  members  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  at  an  early  age 
he  united  with  the  same  Church.  He 
preached  his  first  sermon  at  seventeen 
years  of  age.  He  did  service  in  the 
ranks  of  the  local  ministry  sixteen  years 
t  *  before  coming  to  America.    After  com- 

ing to .  this  country  he  did  work  as  a 
supply  under  Rev.  Zachariah  Paddock, 
presiding  elder,  for  a  short  time  and  in 
1853  joined  Wyoming  Conference. 

In  October,   1853,  he  married  Miss 
Abigail  Caroline  Turner,  of  Silver  Lake, 
Pa.    On  September  i,  1884,  after  suffer- 
WALTER  B.  THOMAS      ^^^S  f^om  puluiouary  disease  for  some 
time,  she  passed  from  their  pleasant  home 
in  Athens,  Pa.,  to  heavenly  mansions.    Husband  and  wife  are 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Athens,  Pa.   One  son  was  born  to  them. 
Professor  A.  P.  Thomas,  now  living  at  Carbondale. 


Deceased  Preachers 


255 


When  he  retired  from  active  work,  and  the  proposition  was 
made  to  make  his  claim  upon  the  superannuates'  fund  first  class 
instead  of  second,  with  grace  and  magnanimity  he  ohjected,  say- 
ing, "I  can  earn  a  little,  and  others  may  suffer  if  my  claim  is 
increased."  He  did  good  work  at  bookbinding  for  a  number  of 
years. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1853,  Montrose;  1854,  Berk- 
shire; 1855,  Vestal;  1856-57,  Athens;  1858-59,  Nichols;  1860-61, 
Orwell;  1862-63,  Gibson;  1864-65,  Lisle  and  Whitney's  Point; 
1866-67,  Castle  Creek;  1868-69,  Windsor;  1870,  North  New 
Berlin;  1871,  Middlefield ;  1872-73,  Bainbridge;  1874-75,  Morris; 
1876-77,  Westville;  1878,  Exeter;  1879-81,  Broome;  1882-97,  sd. 

Towner,  Isaac  Pratt,  was  born  in  Rome,  Bradford  County, 
Pa.,  on  December  26,  1822,  and  died  in  West  Nicholson,  Wyoming 
County,  Pa.,  March  18,  1887.  He  was  buried  in  the  Towner 
family  burying  ground  on  Towner  Hill, 
about  two  miles  from  Rome. 

He  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Tow- 
ner, a  prominent  Methodist  preacher  for 
many  years.  He  was  converted  when 
fourteen  years  of  age.  He  was  given 
local  preacher's  license  in  1854,  and  in 
1856  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference. 
His  ministry  was  followed  by  revivals, 
and  frequently  they  were  large  ones. 
During  the  last  year  of  his  life  about  one 
hundred  souls  were  brought  to  Christ. 
He  was  in  the  midst  of  a  gracious  work 
when  he  was  called  away.  He  preached 
on  Sunday,  March  13,  three  times,  and  isaac  pratt  towner 
went  home  in  a  chill.    On  the  following 

Friday  he  passed  away ;  pneumonia  had  done  its  fatal  work. 

It  is  claimed  that  during  his  ministry  he  built  six  churches, 
purchased  three  parsonages,  beside  doing  much  in  repairs. 

In  1847  he  married  Sally  Jane  Van  Nest,  who  survived  him 
until  December  27,  1891,  when  she  passed  away.  Eight  children 
were  born  to  them.  While  living  at  Mehoopany  they  buried  four 
of  them,  three  in  one  day.  Four  survived  them  and  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1856-57,  Little  Meadows; 
1858,  Litchfield;  1859-60,  Mehoopany;  1861-62,  Wyalusing; 
1863-66,  sd. ;  1867-69,  Fairdale:  1870,  Union;  1871-73,  Sanford; 


256 


Wyoming  Conference 


1874-76,  Harpursville ;  1877,  Windsor;  1878-79,  McDonough; 
1880-82,  Hale's  Eddy;  1883-84,  Herrick  Center;  1885,  Daleville 
and  Union;  1886,  West  Nicholson. 

Tryon,  Levi  D.,  was  born  in  Owasco,  N.  Y.,  November  2, 
1817.  He  was  born  again  in  Weedsport,  N.  Y.,  at  the  age  of 
eighteen.    He  was  licensed  to  exhort  in  1840,  made  a  local 

preacher  in  1841,  and  joined  Oneida 
Conference  in  1842.  In  1852  he  was 
transferred  to  Wyoming  Conference. 
While  pastor  at  Honesdale  disease  of  the 
throat  and  lungs  incapacitated  him  for 
pulpit  work.  In  1856  he  became  super- 
annuated, making  Honesdale  his  home 
during  the  balance  of  his  life.  The  last 
twenty  years  of  his  life  were  years  of 
severe  struggle  for  life.  During  his 
years  of  residence  in  Honesdale  after 
superannuation  he  was  engaged  in  the 
insurance  business.  He  died  September 
27,  1876,  and  was  buried  at  Honesdale. 

In  August,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Pris- 
cilla  G.  Mead,  who  survived  him  until 
April  29,  1892.   A  daughter  and  two  sons  are  still  living. 

His  fields  of  labor  were  the  following:  1842,  Scipio;  1843, 
Amber;  1844,  Scipio;  1845,  Elbridge;  1846-47,  Nichols;  1848, 
Brooklyn;  1849-50,  Windsor;  1851,  Dryden ;  1852-53,  New  Troy 
(Wyoming)  ;  1854,  Tunkhannock ;  1855,  Honesdale;  1856-76,  sd. 

ToRRY,  Daniel,  was  born  about  1800,  and  died  on  September 
30,  1857. 

In  1827  he  joined  the  Genesee  Conference.  Being  with  the 
territory  which  constituted  Oneida  Conference  at  its  organization, 
he  became  a  member  of  that  body,  and  in  the  same  manner  be- 
came a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  in  1852.  No  memoir 
appeared  in  the  Minutes  of  our  Conference,  but  one  was  promised 
for  the  General  Minutes.  The  promise  seems  to  have  been  for- 
gotten, the  memoir  did  not  appear,  and  we  find  none  elsewhere. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1827-28,  Bridgewater;  1829, 
Binghamton;  1830-31,  Broome;  1832,  Spencer;  1833-34,  Lanes- 
boro;  1835,  Brooklyn;  1836,  Vestal;  1837,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1838, 
sd. ;  1839-40,  Pike;  1841,  Orwell;  1842-46  sd. ;  1847-48,  Montrose 
and  Great  Bend;  1849-57,  sd. 


Deceased  Preachers 


257 


RICHARD  VARCOE 


Varcoe^  Richard,  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  in  1825. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  became  a  minister  of  the  Reformed 
Methodist  Church.  In  October,  1864,  he  came  to  America. 
Before  coming  to  this  country  he  married 
Miss  Elizabeth  Condon,  who  died  in 
England,  leaving  three  children,  Richard, 
Montgomery,  and  Fannie  E.,  all  of  whom 
are  now  deceased.  On  December  27, 
1865,  he  married  Miss  E.  Amanda  Doney, 
at  Dyberry,  Wayne  County,  Pa.,  who 
had  been  a  school-teacher  several  years. 
Two  children  were  born  to  them — Laura 
A.  and  Franklin  R.  The  daughter  was 
born  September  3,  1867,  and  died  on 
April  9,  1892.  The  son  was  born  on 
March  21,  1872,  and  is  now  a  merchant 
in  Waymart,  Pa. 

In  1866  he  united  with  the  Wyoming 
Conference  on  trial,  the  Conference  rec- 
ognizing his  elder's  orders  which  he  received  from  the  Reformed 
Church.  He  died  at  South  Canaan  on  April  9,  1885,  and  his  body 
was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Glen  Dyberry  cemetery  at  Honesdale,  Pa. 

He  served  the  following  charges:  1866-67,  Sanford;  1868, 
Thompson;  1869-71,  Cherry  Ridge;  1872,  Clifford;  1873-75,  Nar- 
rowsburg;  1876,  Spencer;  1877-78,  Berkshire;  1879,  Thompson; 
1880-82,  Narrowsburg;  1883-84,  Canaan. 

Wentz,  William  Solon,  was  born  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y., 
January  28,  1826,  and  died  in  Owego,  N.  Y.,  April  20,  1881. 

He  spent  childhood  and  youth  in  the  vicinity  of  Binghamton, 
and  when  old  enough  became  an  employee  of  the  Erie  Railroad, 
and  continued  railroad  work  until  he  entered  the  ministry. 

After  conversion  he  received  a  call  to  the  sacred  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  was  given  a  local  preacher's  license.  Health  con- 
siderations prompted  him  to  seek  a  more  helpful  climate.  He, 
accordingly,  joined  the  Missouri  Conference  in  1856,  where  he 
served  the  following  charges :  Shelbyville,  Macon  City,  Inde- 
pendence, Kansas  City,  Atchinson,  Hannibal,  Brunswick,  Brook- 
field.  In  1863  he  became  presiding  elder  of  St.  Joseph  District, 
and  in  1864  he  was  appointed  to  the  Little  Rock  District. 

During  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  the  country  was  severely 
agitated  by  the  discussion  of  slavery,  and  when  Missouri  threat- 
ened to  secede  the  excitement  became  intense.  He  draped  his 
17 


258 


Wyoming  Conference 


pulpit  with  the  American  flag  and  championed  the  cause  of  the 
Union,  at  the  peril  of  his  life,  as  it  was  often  threatened.  His 
love  for  the  Union  was  known  wherever  he  went,  and  evoked  the 
hatred  and  cruel  conspiracies  of  Southern  sympathizers.  At  one 
time,  while  he  was  serving  Little  Rock  District,  five  Union  men 
were  hung  in  his  front  dooryard,  within  the  view  of  his  family, 
and  his  wife  was  notified  that  they  were  in  search  of  her  husband. 

In  1868  he  was  a  member  of  the  Electoral  College  from  Mis- 
souri, which  cast  its  vote  for  Grant  and  Colfax. 

In  1869  he  transferred  to  East  Genesee  Conference  and  was 
appointed  to  North  Hector,  and  in  1870-71  he  served  Troy.  In 
1872,  by  change  of  Conference  boundaries,  he  became  a  member 
of  Central  New  York  Conference,  where  he  served  Mecklenburg 
three  years.  In  1875  he  was  transferred  to  Wyoming  Conference, 
and  served  the  following  charges:  1875-76,  Ashley;  1877-78, 
Newark  Valley;  1879-80,  Susquehanna.  In  1881  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  Susquehanna  for  a  third  year.  He  was  not  permitted, 
however,  to  enter  the  work.  On  his  way  home  from  Waverly,  the 
seat  of  Conference,  he  stopped  at  Owego  to  visit  a  sister  living 
in  that  place.  In  a  few  days  pneumonia  had  done  its  work,  his 
spirit  had  returned  to  its  Maker.  His  body  was  buried  in 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  when  his  wife  died  in  1893,  she  was  laid 
by  his  side. 

Wadsworth,  William  A.,  was  born  in  New  Hartford,  N.  Y., 
and  died  in  the  same  town  March  9,  1875,  aged  forty- 
five  years. 

He  was  led  to  Christ  under  thejabors  of  Rev.  D.  W.  Thurston. 

He  left  a  flattering  business  offer  when 
he  offered  himself  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  He  spent  some  time  in  prepa- 
ration for  his  lifework  in  study  at  the 
Biblical  Institute  of  Concord,  N.  H.  He 
joined  Oneida  Conference  on  trial  in 
1855,  and  became  a  member  of  Wyoming 
with  the  accession  of  Otsego  and  Che- 
nango Districts.  His  ministry  was  a  re- 
vival one.  He  left  a  wife  and  three  sons. 
His  appointments  were  as  follows: 

1855,  Bridgewater  and   Leonardsville ; 

1856,  Lenox;  1857-58,  Cardiff;  1859, 
Fayetteville ;  1860-61,  Jordanville  ;  1862- 

wiLLiAM  A.  WADSWORTH         Vcroua ;   1864-66,  Vernon  Center; 


Deceased  Preachers 


259 


1867-68,  Mount  Upton;  1869-70,  Norwich;  1871-72,  Unadilla; 
1873,  Cooperstown ;  1874,  sy. 

Warren,  Ira  D.,  was  born  in  Oswegatchie,  St.  Lawrence 
County,  N.  Y.,  April  4,  1802.  He  was  born  again  at  fifteen  years 
of  age  in  the  city  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  when  his  parents  were  living 
at  that  time.  He  at  once  joined  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  was 
soon  licensed  to  exhort.  He  served  as  a 
supply  on  Middlefield  Circuit,  in  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.  (I  think  this  should  be 
Otsego  Circuit.  Middlefield  was  not  cut 
off  from  Otsego  until  1835.)  He  joined 
Oneida  Conference  in  1833,  receiving 
deacon's  orders  in  1836  and  elder's  orders 
in  1838.  Revivals  of  great  power  ac- 
companied his  labors.  It  is  claimed  that 
ten  or  fifteen  preachers  could  be  named 
as  part  of  the  fruit  of  the  revival  which 
occurred  during  his  labors  at  North 
Pitcher.    In  1865  he  superannuated,  and  d.  warren 

moved  to  Cortland,  where  he  lived  until 

his  death,  on  November  18,  1869,  death  resulting  from  cancer  of 
the  stomach. 

His  pastorates  were  as  follows  :  1833-34,  Chenango;  1835,  West- 
ford;  1836,  Otsego;  1837-38,  Sharon;  1839-40,  Bainbridge;  1841- 
42,  Otego;  1843,  Chenango;  1844-45,  Plymouth;  1846,  Pompey; 
1847-48,  Truxton;  1849,  East  Solon;  1850,  North  Pitcher  and 
Taylor;  185 1,  North  Pitcher;  1852,  Triangle  Mission;  1853, 
Virgil;  1854,  transferred  from  Oneida  to  Wyoming  Conference 
and  stationed  at  Le  Raysville;  1855,  Le  Raysville;  1856-57, 
Springville;  1858,  Tunkhannock;  1859,  Nicholson;  i860,  Wyalu- 
sing;  1861-62,  Rome;  1863-64,  Little  Meadows;  1865-69,  sd. 

Whitham,  Joseph,  the  oldest  son  of  Rev.  John  and  Hannah 
Whitham,  was  born  in  Leeds,  England,  on  December  13,  1808. 
At  the  age  of  twelve  he  came  with  his  family  to  this  country 
and  settled  at  Union,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.  In  his  eighteenth 
year  he  consecrated  himself  to  Christ  and  at  once  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  1842  he  received  a 
local  preacher's  license,  and  in  the  same  year  was  received  on 
trial  by  the  Oneida  Conference.  In  due  order  he  was  received 
into  full  membership,  and  received  deacon's  and  elder's  orders, 


26o 


Wyoming  Conference 


At  the  organization  of  Wyoming  Conference  he  was  in  the  ter- 
ritory which  constituted  it,  and  thus  became  a  member  of  it. 
He,  however,  located  before  the  first  session  of  the  Conference 
was  closed.  He  died  on  the  Oregon  Circuit,  Honesdale  District, 
June  24,  1863,  a  peculiarly  triumphant  death. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1842,  Lisle;  1843,  Greene; 
1844-45,  Spencer;  1846,  Mehoopany;  1847,  Springville;  1848, 
Flemingville  and  Speedsville;  1849,  Flemingville;  1850,  Spen- 
cer and  South  Danby  Mission;  1851,  Broome;  1852,  located; 
1854,  readmitted,  Montrose;  1855,  Apalachin ;  1856,  Le 
Raysville;  1857,  Litchfield;  1858,  Gibson;  1859,  Cherry  Ridge; 
i860,  Tallmansville ;  1861,  Newton;  1862,  Tioga;  1863,  Oregon. 

Westlake,  William  Burroughs,  A.M.,  was  born  in  New- 
burgh,  N.  Y.,  on  September  27,  1831,  and  died  in  Dallas,  Luzerne 
County,  Pa.,  on  October  11,  1897. 

His  early  life  was  passed  upon  his 
father's  farm  in  Orange  Lake,  N.  Y. 

He  was  converted  and  joined  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  twelve 
years  of  age. 

In  1859  he  graduated  from  Union  Col- 
lege, Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  from  which  in- 
stitution he  received  the  degree  of  A.AL 
in  after  years.  In  early  manhood  he 
taught  school  for  a  livelihood — in  fact, 
continued  at  this  work  until  he  entered 
the  ministry.  Among  his  positions  as 
teacher  were  Fort  Plain,  N.  Y.,  Valley 
Female  Institution,  Winchester,  Va.,  and 
WILLIAM  B.  WESTLAKE    Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston,  Pa. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in 
1863  while  still  engaged  at  the  seminary,  and  during  the  summer 
of  the  same  year  was  appointed  to  Henry  Street,  Binghamton,  to 
fill  the  vacancy  made  by  Rev.  William  Wyatt's  accepting  a  chap- 
laincy in  the  army.   He  was  reappointed  to  Henry  Street  in  1864. 

On  October  27,  1875,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Emory,  of 
West  Pittston.  Two  sons  were  born  to  them,  who  with  the  wife 
survive  him. 

He  was  one  of  the  Wyoming  Conference  Trio,  Revs.  J.  C. 
Leacock  and  J.  B.  Sumner  being  the  other  members.  Their  music 
has  been  a  delight  to  many  for  long  years.  In  fact,  the  writer 
heard  them  at  Chautauqua  twenty-five  years  ago,  and  was 


Deceased  Preachers 


charmed  by  their  music.  Their  last  singing  was  at  the  Wyoming 
District  ministerial  meeting  at  Carverton,  Pa.,  October  4-5,  1897. 

His  ministry  was  made  memorable  by  some  great  revivals,  spe- 
cially at  Owego,  Jermyn,  and  Waverly. 

His  going  was  sudden.  On  Sunday,  October  10,  he  preached  at 
Dallas  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  at  Alderson,  on  an 
adjoining  charge,  he  preached  and  administered  the  sacrament. 
In  the  evening,  as  he  attempted  his  usual  service  at  Dallas,  he  was 
taken  sick  in  the  opening  of  the  service.  The  next  day  he  passed 
away.   His  body  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Forty  Fort  cemetery. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1863,  Professor  in  Wyoming 
Seminary,  and  Henry  Street,  Binghamton ;  1864,  Henry  Street, 
Binghamton;  1865-67,  Owego;  1868-70,  Waverly,  N.  Y. ;  1871- 
72,  Susquehanna;  1873-74,  West  Pittston;  1875-77,  Oneonta; 
1878,  Montrose;  1879-81,  Moscow;  1882-84,  Hawley;  1885-87, 
Jermyn;  1888-92,  Peckville;  1893,  Parrish  Street,  Wilkes-Barre, 
1894-97,  Dallas. 

Wells,  James  Lafayette,  was  born  on  April  6,  1825,  in  the 
town  of  Augusta,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  He  had  the  advantages 
of  a  district  school,  a  village  academy,  Cazenovia  Seminary,  and 
Concord  Biblical  Institute.  After  con- 
version at  Vernon,  N.  Y.,  he  joined  the 
church  at  Stockbridge,  N.  Y.  Here  he 
received  his  first  encouragement  toward 
entering  the  ministry.  In  1841  he  re- 
ceived local  preacher's  license,  and  in 
1849  joined  the  Oneida  Conference,  be- 
coming a  member  of  this  by  the  allot- 
ment of  Oneida  territory. 

On  February  7,  1850,  he  married  Miss 
Maria  Louisa  Stone,  of  Augusta,  N.  Y., 
who  died  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  on 
June  5,  1889.  On  August  20,  1890,  he 
married  Mrs.  Coralynn  Barnard,  of 
Cooperstown,  N.  Y.,  who  died  at  the 
home  of  her  son  in  Collegeville,  Pa.,  on  james  lafayette  wells 
November  5,  1898. 

He  published  the  following:  Great  Memorial,  or  Sabbath 
Question,  1856,  323  pages ;  Man  Not  a  Mystery,  1896,  429  pages ; 
The  Republic  of  the  United  States  in  the  Prophecy  of  God,  a 
pamphlet.  He  also  published  several  sermons,  and  was  a  frequent 
contributor  to  the  Church  papers. 


262 


Wyoming  Conference 


After  superannuation  he  settled  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death,  on  July  15,  1902.  He  was  buried  in 
Stockbridge,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1849,  Nichols;  1850-51,  Au- 
gusta; 1852-53,  Warren;  1854-55,  West  Winfield;  1856-57,  Utica, 
Corn  Hill;  1858,  New  Hartford;  1859-60,  Cooperstown ;  1861, 
Homer;  1862-63,  Stockbridge;  1864-66,  Ames;  1867-68,  Milford; 
1869-70,  Candor  ;  1871,  Hartwick;  1872,  Westville;  1873,  Spen- 
cer; 1874-75,  Schenevus;  1876-77,  Corresponding  Secretary  of 
Conference  Temperance  Society;  1878-79,  Cherry  Ridge;  1880- 
81,  New  Milford;  1882,  Smyrna;  1883-84,  Coventry;  1885- 
1902,  sd. 

Weston,  Jonathan  H.,  was  born  in  Vestal,  N.  Y.,  on  May 
25,  1835,  ^"fl  <Jicd  in  Vestal  on  September  26,  1899. 

His  conversion  occurred  in  1862,  and  in  the  following  year  he 
received  a  local  preacher's  license  from 
the  Montrose  Quarterly  Conference.  In 
1865  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference. 

On  March  25,  1855,  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Serruja  Pattison,  of  Owego, 
N.  Y.,  who  died  in  Kirkwood,  N.  Y., 
on  July  14,  1884.  His  second  marriage 
was  to  Miss  Clara  M.  Courtright,  of 
Meshoppen,  Pa.,  on  September  28,  1885, 
who  with  two  daughters,  Ella  Apphia 
and  Rose  Marlene,  survives  him. 

About  one  year  and  a  half  before  he 
died  he  suffered  from  a  paralytic  stroke, 
which  terminated  his  active  work  in  the 
JONATHAN  H.  WESTON     ministry.    After  superannuation  he  set- 
tled in  Vestal,  opened  a  jewelry  store, 
and  seemed  quite  like  himself,  and  thought  the  prospect  good  for 
several  years  of  life.    A  second  shock  terminated  his  life  within 
four  days  after  he  received  it.    He  was  buried  in  Vestal. 

His  ministry  was  accompanied  by  revivals  on  almost  every 
charge  he  served. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1865-67,  Auburn;  1868- 
70,  Mehoopany ;  1871-73,  Meshoppen;  1874-76,  Brooklyn;  1877- 
79,  New  Milford;  1880,  Nicholson;  1881,  Wyalusing;  1882,  sy. ; 
1883-85,  Kirkwood;  1868-88,  Sterling;  1889-91,  Forest  City; 
1892-94,  Springville;  1895-96,  Hawleyton ;  1897-98,  McClure ; 
1899,  sd. 


Deceased  Preachers 


263 


Williams,  John  F.,  was  born  in  Carbondale,  Lackawanna 
County,  Pa.,  on  September  27,  1844,  died  in  the  city  hos- 
pital of  Wilkes-Barre,  whither  he  had  gone  for  a  surgical  opera- 
tion, on  February  18,  1896.   

He  early  became  an  orphan,  and  at 


the  age  of  seventeen,  in  1861,  he  en- 
listed in  the  58th  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Volunteers,  and,  by  subsequent  reenlist- 
ment  on  the  field,  continued  in  his  coun- 
try's service  four  years  and  four  months. 

After  returning  from  the  war  he  took 
a  commercial  course  in  the  Eastman 
Business  College. 

He  is  believed  to  have  been  converted 
and  to  have  joined  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y., 
under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  John  Cook- 


man.    Believing  himself  called  by  God      jqhn  f.  wilt.iams 
to  the  ministry,  he  entered  Wyoming 

Seminary  in  the  fall  of  1869,  where  he  remained  three  years.  He 
maintained  himself  about  half  of  this  time  by  teaching  in  the  Col- 
lege of  Business  as  an  associate  of  Rev.  L.  L.  Sprague. 

During  the  winter  of  1871-72  he  was  called  to  fill  a  vacancy 
at  Dunmore,  Pa.,  and  in  the  spring  of  1872  he  joined  Wyoming 
Conference. 

On  December  13,  1871,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Peck, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Luther  W.  Peck,  D.D.  Three  children  were 
born  to  them — Luther  P.,  Mary  Emma,  and  Edward  G.  The 
last-named  died  while  the  family  was  living  at  Schenevus,  and 
was  buried  there.  When  the  father  passed  away  he  was  taken 
to  Schenevus  and  buried  by  the  side  of  his  boy. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1872,  Spencer;  1873-74, 
Windham;  1875,  Sterling;  1876-77,  Jermyn ;  1878-79,  Hawley; 
1880-82,  Afton;  1883-85,  Schenevus;  1886-88,  Smyrna;  1889-92, 
Plains;  1893,  Dallas;  1894-95,  Luzerne. 

Wood,  Alonzo,  was  born  in  Groton,  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y., 
January  15,  1808.  He  was  led  to  Christ  in  the  town  of  Palermo, 
Oswego  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1822,  and  united  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Zachariah  Paddock  gave  him  exhorter's 
license  in  1829,  and  John  Dempster  gave  him  local  preacher's 
license  in  1830.  From  1830  to  1833  he  did  supply  work  under  the 
presiding  elder.   In  1833  he  joined  Oneida  Conference.   In  1853 


264 


Wyoming  Conference 


his  health  failed,  and  by  advice  of  physicians  he  moved  to  Michi- 
gan, where  he  partially  gained  what  he  sought.  He  was  not  idle 
in  Michigan,  as  he  preached  when  he  had  opportunity,  and  with 
soul-winning  success.  He  died  at  Chesaning,  Mich.,  May  14, 
1874,  after  a  short  illness. 

His  ministry  was  preeminently  evangelistic.  During  the  years 
in  which  he  did  supply  work  over  one  thousand  people  were  led 
to  Christ.  During  the  years  of  his  active  work  in  the  Conference 
revivals  which  brought  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred 
souls  into  the  kingdom  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  and  on 
Cayuga  Circuit  five  hundred  conversions  were  reported.  As  a 
result  of  his  revival  work  the  ministry  was  enriched.  Revs.  J.  M. 
Grimes,  H.  R.  Clarke,  D.D.,  Joseph  and  John  Boswell,  W.  N. 
Cobb,  B.  I.  Ives,  D.D.,  S.  H.  Brown,  F.  Humphreys,  and  several 
not  named  were  led  to  Christ  and  his  ministry. 

In  1832  he  was  married  to  Miss  Angeline  Mallory,  daughter 
of  Judge  Mallory,  of  Cortland,  N.  Y.,  who  survived  him.  They 
had  a  somewhat  numerous  family  of  children,  who  were  a  credit 
to  their  parents. 

He  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  by  the  accession 
of  Oneida  territory. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1833,  Speedsville;  1834-35, 
Broome;  1836,  Slaterville;  1837-38,  Groton;  1839-40,  Owasco 
Mission;  1841-42,  Cayuga;  1843-44,  Mentz  and  Sennett;  1845- 
47,  Chaplain  in  Auburn  Prison;  1848-49,  Groton;  1850,  Cayuga; 
1851-52,  Ledyard ;  1853,  North  Lansing;  1854-74,  sd. 

WoRRALL,  Davidson,  was  born  in  Eastchurch,  England,  March 
1808,  and  died  in  Factory ville.  Pa.,  August  23,  1866.  He  began 
his  religious  life  in  1833,  and  was  soon  appointed  class  leader 
and  made  a  local  preacher.  He  filled  these  positions  acceptably 
until  he  came  to  this  country  about  185 1.  He  settled  in  Rome, 
Bradford  County,  Pa.,  upon  a  farm.  He  was  not  allowed  to 
work  the  farm  long,  as  the  Church  discovered  his  gifts  and  gave 
him  work  to  do.  In  1852  he  supplied  as  junior  preacher  on 
Orwell  Circuit,  and  in  1853  joined  Wyoming  Conference  on 
trial.  He  had  received  local  deacon's  orders  before  joining  the 
Conference,  and  received  elder's  orders  at  the  completion  of  his 
studies  in  1857. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1853-54,  Speedsville;  1855- 
56,  Abington;  1857-58,  Nicholson;  1859-60,  Gibson;  1861-62, 
Skinner's  Eddy;  1863,  Springville;  1864-66,  Nicholson.  He  left 
a  wife  and  four  sons. 


Deceased.  Preachers 


265 


Williams,  David,  was  born  on  September  2,  1819,  in  Merthyr, 
South  Wales.  He  commenced  preaching  when  about  eighteen 
years  old.  In  1852  he  come  to  America,  and  in  1853  went  to 
Carbondale,  where  he  served  as  pastor 
of  the  Welsh  Church,  and  during  the 
following  year  succeeded  in  building  a 
church  for  that  society.  He  was  admit- 
ted to  Wyoming  Conference  on  trial  in 
1854,  receiving  deacon's  orders  in  1855 
and  elder's  orders  in  1858.  He  served 
the  Welsh  Mission  in  Carbondale  from 
1854-57;  Welsh  Mission  at  Blakely, 
1858-59;  1860-61,  Damascus;  1862-63, 
Beach  Pond;  1864,  Ararat;  1865,  Ore- 
gon; 1866-67,  Cherry  Ridge;  1868-70, 
Sanford;  1871-79,  superannuated.  In 
1879  he  transferred  to  the  Northern 
New  York  Conference  and  removed  to 
Utica,  where  he  served  the  Welsh  Church 

of  that  city  until  the  spring  of  1881  when  he  transferred  back  to 
Wyoming  Conference  and  moved  to  Elmira.  While  residing 
there  he  was  appointed  as  supply  to  Carbon  Run,  Northumber- 
land County,  Pa. 

On  Tuesday,  March  28,  1882,  he  returned  from  his  work  to 
see  his  family  in  Elmira.  A  cold  terminated  in  pneumonia,  which 
took  him  away  on  Sunday,  April  2.  He  was  buried  in  Woodlawn 
Cemetery,  Elmira. 


DAVID  WILLIAMS 


Worthing,  Jonathan,  was  born  in  1791.  He  joined  the  New 
England  Conference  in  1810.  He  served  three  charges  in  that 
Conference,  to  wit:  1810,  Tuftonboro  and  Rochester;  181 1, 
Industry;  1812,  Falmouth.  In  1812  he  was  admitted  into  full 
connection  with  the  Conference  and  ordained  deacon.  He  lo- 
cated in  1813,  and  received  elder's  orders  in  1816.  By  becoming 
surety  for  a  friend  he  lost  what  property  he  had  and  became 
overwhelmed  with  debt.  He  was  so  much  involved  that  he  could 
not  expect  to  pay  his  obligations  and  remain  in  the  ministry.  To 
face  the  public  as  a  bankrupt  was  inconsistent  with  his  idea  of 
propriety.  He  therefore  located  and  began  the  task  of  extri- 
cating himself  from  debt,  which  he  finally  accomplished. 

By  advice  of  Bishop  Hedding  he  sought  connection  with  the 
Genesee  Conference  and  was  received  in  1825.  As  the  territory 
was  divided  and  the  Oneida  Conference  organized,  and  as  the 


266 


Wyoming  Conference 


Oneida  Conference  was  divided  and  the  Wyoming  Conference 
organized,  he  became  a  member  of  these  Conferences. 

During  the  years  of  his  active  ministry  he  received  about 
twelve  hundred  members  into  the  Church.  After  his  superan- 
nuation he  settled  in  Binghamton,  where  he  lived  until  his  death, 
August  II,  1874. 

His  appointments  were  as  follows:  1825-26,  Camden;  1827-28, 
Westmoreland;  1829-30,  Herkimer;  1831,  Fulton;  1832,  Fabius ; 
1833-34,  Onondaga;  1835-36,  Madison;  1837-38,  Scipio;  1839, 
Scott;  1840,  Spafford;  1841,  Scipio;  1842-43,  Owasco ;  1844, 
Ledyard;  1845,  sd. ;  1846,  Groton;  1847,  Dryden  and  Virgil; 
1848;  sd. ;  1849-50,  Freetown;  1851-74,  sd. 

Woodruff,  James  O.,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Connecticut  Farms, 
N.  J.,  on  February  27,  1837,  died  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  on 
March  30,  1896.   He  was  buried  in  the  Forty  Fort  cemetery. 

His  boyhood  was  spent  on  his  father's 
farm.  As  he  grew  into  manhood  his 
hunger  for  knowledge  increased.  The 
rudiments  of  an  education  he  received 
at  the  academy  in  Westfield,  N.  J.  He 
further  furnished  his  mind  by  diligently 
grasping  the  intervals  in  farm  work  to 
gain  a  knowledge  of  Hebrew  and  Latin. 
He  was  led  to  seek  Christ  as  his  Sav- 
iour when  about  sixteen  years  old. 

In  i860  he  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence. 

He  had  a  brother.  Rev.  J.  D.,  who 
was  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference 
for  a  few  years.    He  left  us  and  joined 
the   Congregationalists.    After  preach- 
ing for  that  body  a  short  time  he  studied  medicine.  However, 
he  did  not  live  long  after  graduation  to  practice  it.  Pneumonia 
cut  him  down. 

In  1855  he  married  Miss  Eliza  J.  Townley,  of  Westfield,  N.  J. 
The  wife,  three  daughters,  and  two  sons  survived  him,  one 
of  whom,  Wesley  E.,  is  editor  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  News. 

In  1893  Grant  University  conferred  the  degree  of  D.D.  upon 
him,  but  he  did  not  accept  it.  The  following  year  Wesleyan 
University  conferred  the  degree,  which  was  accepted. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1860-61,  Blakely;  1862- 
63,  Sterling;  1864-66,  Salem;  1867-69,  Carbondale;  1871-72, 


JAMES  O.  WOODRUFF 


Deceased  Preachers 


267 


Honesdale;  1873-75,  Owego;  1876-78,  Pittston ;  1879-80,  Nor- 
wich; 1881-82,  Kingston;  1883-85,  Franklin  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre;  1886-88,  Waverly,  N.  Y. ;  1889-93,  Plymouth,  Pa.;  1894- 
95,  Presiding  Elder  on  Binghamton  District. 

Wyatt,  William,  was  born  on  February  20,  1812,  quoting 
himself,  "amid  the  tall  pines  and  uncultivated  fields  of  Danby, 
Tompkins  County,  in  the  State  of  New  York."  His  father  was 
of  English  descent,  and  his  mother  from 
French  stock.  His  parents  were  among 
the  pioneers  in  that  section  of  the  State. 
Their  character  may  be  seen  from  the 
following  by  the  pen  of  our  subject. 
''Thanks  be  to  early  Christian  training 
that  I  am  out  of  prison,  and  out  of  a 
drunkard's  grave,  and  out  of  hell,  to- 
day." 

He  was  born  again  in  his  thirteenth 
year,  in  the  month  of  June,  at  a  camp 
meeting  held  in  the  town  of  Lansing, 
Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.  So  complete  was 
his  consecration,  and  so  clear  the  witness 
to  adoption,  that  for  a  half  century  he 
never  entertained  a  doubt  concerning  his  william  wyatt 
adoption  into  God's  family. 

His  educational  advantages  were  few.  He  states  that  he  only 
received  three  months'  instruction  in  a  common  school — ad- 
vanced as  far  as  the  word  "baker"  in  Dilworth's  Spelling  Book, 
and  the  rule  of  three  in  arithmetic.  He,  however,  became  well 
read  in  history  and  English  literature,  by  perseverance. 

He  was  licensed  an  exhorter  in  183 1,  and  the  year  following 
he  received  local  preacher's  license.  In  1835  he  joined  Oneida 
Conference,  transferred  to  Black  River  Conference  in  1842,  re- 
turned to  Oneida  in  1847,  became  a  member  of  Wyoming 
at  its  organization. 

He  was  strikingly  original,  and  never  lost  his  individuality; 
a  prodigious  worker,  and  a  really  talented  preacher;  wherever 
known,  distinctly  remembered. 

He  married  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Reuben  Reynolds,  Mary  Al- 
mena,  who  proved  a  superior  help  to  him  in  all  his  work.  She 
died  February  28,  1898.  Their  daughter  Lizzie  became  the  wife 
of  Rev.  William  Penn  Abbott,  and  their  son  Albert  H.  entered 
the  ministry.    He  was  for  some  time  a  member  of  Wyoming,  is 


268 


Wyoming  Conference 


now  a  member  of  New  York  East  Conference,  and  bears  the 
title  of  D.D. 

After  his  superannuation  he  published  a  volume  called  Life 
and  Sermons  of  William  Wyatt.  It  is  not  only  a  very  readable 
book,  but  of  historical  value.  We  are  indebted  to  it  for  many 
facts  in  this  volume. 

His  controversy  with  the  spiritualists  in  Carbondale,  and  the 
revival  in  the  same  place  in  which  over  two  hundred  were 
brought  to  Christ,  are  among  the  great  victories  of  our  Church 
in  this  territory. 

He  died  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  March  19,  1879,  and  was  buried  in 
the  cemetery  in  Wilkes-Barre,  on  the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1835,  Windsor ;  1836,  Slater- 
ville;  1837,  Barton;  1838-39,  Speedsville;  1840-41,  Candor; 
1842-43,  Adams  (Black  River  Conference);  1844,  Watertown ; 
1845-46,  Lowville;  1847-48  (Oneida  Conference),  Oxford; 
1849-50,  Bleecker  Street,  Utica;  1851,  Honesdale;  1852-53,  Car- 
bondale; 1854,  Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre;  1855-58,  Presid- 
ing Elder  on  Wyoming  District;  1859-61,  Presiding  Elder  on 
Honesdale  District;  1862-63,  Henry  Street,  Binghamton;  1864, 
Chaplain  of  the  109th  Regiment  of  New  York  Volunteers; 
1865-78,  sd. 

WoRDEN,  Peter  S.,  A.M.,  was  born  in  Smyrna,  N.  Y.,  on 
March  27,  1817,  and  died  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  on  July  28, 
1889,  and  was  buried  in  Spring  Forest  Cemetery,  in  the  city 
where  he  died. 

Reared  with  meager  advantages,  early 
crippled  and  always  feeble,  he  neverthe- 
less attained  a  goodly  degree  of  scholar- 
ship and  was  broadly  read. 

In  his  anxiety  to  save  Susquehanna 
Seminary  he  gave  four  years  of  he- 
roic, unrequited  toil,  and  $1,000  from  his 
hard-earned  savings.  This  hardly  tells 
the  story.  He  was  principal  and  his  wife 
preceptress  of  the  school  five  years.  Both 
gave  their  services  for  four  years,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  money.  It  was  a  great  fight 
for  a  losing  cause. 
PETER  s.  WORDEN  Hc  was  twicc  married :  first,  in  Janu- 

ary, 1839,  to  Miss  Sarah  Green,  who  was 
born  in  German,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  and  who  died  in  Bing- 


Deceased  Preachers 


269 


hamton,  December  24,  1885 ;  second,  to  Mrs.  Boyce,  who  sur- 
vived him. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1839,  Greene;  1840,  Page 
Brook;  1841-42,  Berkshire;  1843-44,  Waverly  and  Athens;  1845- 
46,  Tunkhannock  and  Wyoming;  1847,  Carbondale;  1848-49, 
Berkshire;  1850-51,  Newark;  1852,  sd. ;  1853-54,  Speedsville; 
1855,  Berkshire;  1856,  Court  Street,  Binghamton;  1857-61,  Prin- 
cipal of  Susquehanna  Seminary;  1862,  Maine;  1863,  Court 
Street,  Binghamton;  1864-65,  Broome;  1866,  Chenango;  1867, 
Page  Brook;  1868-69,  Union,  N.  Y. ;  1870,  Port  Dickinson; 
1871-89,  sd. 


270 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  X 

lilYING  PREACHERS 

Adams,  Walter  Scott,  was  born  on  August  20,  1863,  at  Red- 
field,  Oswego  County,  N.  Y.   He  was  converted  on  February  15, 
1891,  in  a  revival  service  which  was  being  held  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  Otego,  N.  Y.,  and 


at  once  felt  called  to  the  ministry.  He 
left  a  lucrative  position  in  the  Bowe 
Casket  Factory  to  enter  our  ranks.  His 
education  was  such  as  the  common 
schools  could  give  him.  Exhorter's  and 
local  preacher's  licenses  were  given  him 
by  the  Otego  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

On  May  21,  1884,  he  married  Miss 
Georgianna  Gee. 

Conference  received  him  on  trial  in 
1898. 

His  pastorates  have  been  the  follow- 
ing: 1898-99,  Decatur;  1900-02,  Laurens; 


WALTER  s.  ADAMS        1903,  East  Worccstcr. 

Alexander,  Charles  S.,  was  born  on  June  15,  1843,  ^-t  Hale's 
Eddy.  He  was  educated  in  the  village  school  at  Hale's  Eddy,  and 
after  his  father's  death  his  mother  with  her  sons  moved  to 
Kingston,  where  he  attended  Wyoming  Seminary  four  years. 
His  father  was  a  local  preacher,  and  his  brother  Almus  D.  be- 
came a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference.  He  was  converted 
when  a  small  boy,  and  early  felt  called  to  the  ministry,  receiving 
exhorter's  license  in  his  eighteenth  year,  and  local  preach- 
er's license  about  five  years  later.  Before  joining  Confer- 
ence in  1870  he  supplied  Mill  Hollow  (now  Luzerne)  and  Moun- 
tain Top.  He  spent  two  years  in  the  United  States  service.  He 
says  he  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  since  he  retired  from  the 
active  work  of  the  ministry  ''has  been  engaged  in  market  garden- 
ing on  a  small  scale." 

On  November  17,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Allen,  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  A.  P.  Allen. 


Living  Preachers 


271 


His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1870-71,  Spencer;  1872, 
Newark;  1873-74,  Tioga  Center;  1875-76,  Great  Bend;  1877-79, 
Slaterville;  1880,  Triangle;  1881,  sy. ;  1882,  Oakland;  1883- 
1903,  sd. 

Alger,  Willard  H.,  was  born  on  April  3,  1861,  at  Fly  Creek, 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  and  did  his  school  work  largely  in  the 
village  school  at  Fly  Creek.    He  was  converted  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal   church   at   Fly   Creek,  and 
joined  the  church  there.  Subsequently 
he  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Cooperstown,  N.  Y.    He  is  a  painter 
and  paper-hanger  by  trade.     He  felt 
called  for  some  time  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel, but  found  no  encouragement  in  the 
church  to  which  he  belonged.   A  revival 
which  was  being  held  in  the  Cooperstown 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  made  mani- 
fest his  call.     Subsequently  he  joined 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  that 
place.    He  was  given  local  preacher's 
license  by  the  Otsego  District  Conference 
March  24,  1886;  supplied  Portlandville      willard  h.  alger 
in  1888  and  Portlandville  and  Westville 

in  1889,  and  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1890.  He  was  or- 
dained deacon  in  1892  and  elder  in  1894. 

On  September  20,  1882,  he  married  Miss  Genevieve  Colburn, 
of  Fly  Creek,  N.  Y.,  who  went  to  her  reward  on  July  24,  1902. 
On  August  16,  1903,  he  married  Miss  Carrie  M.  Harrington,  of 
Milford,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1890,  West  Nicholson;  1891- 
93,  Laurens  and  Oneonta  Plains;  1894-97,  Sherburne;  1898-1901, 
Greene;  1902-03,  Milford. 

Austin,  Samuel  J.,  was  born  in  1847,  South  Danby,  N.  Y. 
His  father  was  a  lifelong  Methodist,  and  felt  a  distinct  call  to 
preach,  but  was  prevented  by  early  marriage  and  a  rapidly  increas- 
ing family.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  youngest  child, 
and  the  only  issue  of  a  second  marriage.  He  was  converted  at 
seven  years  of  age,  and  a  year  later  joined  the  church.  At  about 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  received  his  call  to  the  ministry.  Shortly 
after  this  he  received  local  preacher's  license.  At  nineteen  he  was 
recommended  to  the  Wyoming  Conference  for  admission  on  trial. 


272 


Wyoming  Conference 


Instead  of  joining  at  once,  he  took  Dr.  H.  R.  Clarke's  advice 
and  went  to  Wyoming  Seminary,  arriving  at  school  with  about 
fifty  dollars  in  his  pocket.  He  roomed  with  Professor  R.  B. 
Howland,  then  a  student,  boarding  himself  at  an  expense  of 
eighty  cents  per  week.  The  following  year  he  was  made  professor 
of  common  English,  and  thus  paid  his  way  through  the  year.  At 
the  same  time  he  supplied  Forty  Fort,  preaching  twice  each  Sun- 
day in  the  historic  old  church. 

Just  before  joining  Conference  in  1870  he  suffered  a  strong 
temptation  from  the  offer  of  a  home  with  an  aged  and  wealthy 
couple,  with  the  promise  of  receiving  their  whole  property  if  he 
would  remain  with  them  and  care  for  them. 

After  retiring  from  active  work  in  1890  he  moved  to  a  farm 
in  Wallsville,  Pa.  While  living  here  he  has  done  some  preaching, 
as  his  record  will  show.  The  Fleetville  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  was  organized  and  built  by  him. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1870,  Hyde  Park;  1871-72, 
North  Abington;  1873-74,  Clark's  Green;  1875-76,  Moscow; 
1877-79,  Nicholson;  1880-82,  Union;  1883-84,  Waverly  and 
Clark's  Green;  1885-87,  Dallas;  1888-89,  Parsons;  1890,  sy. ; 
1891-95,  Glenwood;  1896,  Wallsville  (supply);  1897,  sy. ;  1898, 
Chaplain  Hillside  Home;  1899-1903,  sy. 


Allen,  John  R.,  was  born  on  December  20,  1838,  at  Newark 
Valley,  N.  Y.  He  attended  school  in  Newark  Valley,  Fleming- 
ville,  and  Speedsville.    He  was  converted  in  the  fall  of  1858  in 

the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Flem- 
ingville,  and  joined  the  church  at  once. 
He  received  exhorter's  license  October 
17,  1870,  from  his  pastor,  S.  B.  Keeney, 
and  local  preacher's  license  November  it, 
1 87 1.  After  serving  two  years  as  supply 
preacher  under  the  presiding  elder  he 
joined  the  Conference  in  1874,  receiving 
deacon's  orders  in  1875  and  elder's  or- 
ders in  1878. 

On  September  29,  1859,  he  married 
Miss  Roxana  Pritchard,  who  died  on 
April  21,  1884,  from  injuries  received 
from  the  running  away  of  Mr.  Allen's 
horse.  She  was  buried  at  Beach  Lake, 
the  place  of  her  death.  On  April  8, 
1885,  he  married  Miss  Bertha  D.  Dunn,  of  Beach  Lake. 


JOHN  R.  ALLEN 


Living  Preachers 


273 


His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1872,  Litchfield;  1873-74, 
Campville;  1875-77,  North  Barton;  1878-79,  North  Tioga;  1880- 
82,  Windham;  1883,  Hale's  Eddy;  1884,  Beach  Pond;  1885, 
Oregon;  1886,  Oregon  and  Rileyville ;  1887-89,  North  Abington ; 
1890-91,  Centermoreland ;  1892-94,  Danby;  1895,  Apalachin; 
1896- 1903,  sd. 

Since  his  superannuation  he  has  resided  in  Flemingville. 

Armstrong,  Edmund  V.,  was  born  on  February  3,  1837,  in 
Albany,  N.  Y.  His  conversion  occurred  at  fourteen  years  of  age. 
His  education  was  received  in  the  public  schools  of  New  York 
city  and  Talmage's  Lay  College,  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  In  early  life  he  learned 
the  printer's  trade,  and  from  1866  to 
1876  was  superintendent  of  a  printing 
office  in  New  York.  He  gave  his  country 
three  years'  service  as  cavalryman,  under 
Generals  Kilpatrick,  Custer,  and  Sheri- 
dan. 

In  early  life  he  felt  that  he  was  called 
to  the  ministry,  but  did  not  respond  until 
he  was  past  thirty  years  of  age.  Ex- 
horter's  and  local  preacher's  licenses  were 
given  him  in  1876,  and  he  joined  the 
Michigan  Conference  in  1877,  receiving 
deacon's  orders  in  1879  and  elder's  or- 
ders in  1 881.  He  was  transferred  to  edmund  v.  Armstrong 
Wyoming  Conference  in  1896. 

The  following  are  his  pastorates:  Michigan  Conference,  1876- 
78,  Byron  Center;  1879-80,  Sparta;  1881-82,  Grand  Haven;  1883- 
85,  Bloomingdale ;  1886-88,  Mendon;  1889-90,  Kalamazoo;  1891- 
93,  St.  Joseph;  1894-95,  Union  City;  Wyoming  Conference,  1896- 
1900,  Forty  Fort;  1901-03,  Marathon. 

Andrews,  William  W.,  was  born  on  February  19,  1830,  in 
Morris,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  in  Norwich, 
N.  Y.,  on  January  18,  1854,  and  joined  the  church  at  once.  He 
received  exhorter's  license  in  1855  local  preacher's  license  a 
year  later.  He  joined  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1858,  and  became 
a  member  of  Wyoming  in  1869  by  accession  of  Oneida  territory. 
In  his  younger  days  he  learned  the  blacksmith  trade.  This  served 
him  well  during  his  life  in  the  ministry,  as  by  it  he  was  able  to 
supplement  his  income  on  several  occasions. 
18 


274 


Wyoming  Conference 


WILLIAM  W.  ANDREWS 


On  DecembfCr  31,  1852,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  S.  Thompson,  of  East  Phar- 
saha,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y. 

In  1866  he  was  supernumerary,  and 
was  assistant  to  Rev.  Samuel  Moore, 
the  pastor  at  Mount  Upton.  Since  his 
superannuation  he  has  hved  at  Athens, 
Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows : 
1858-59,  McDonough;  1860-61,  Preston; 
1862-63,  New  Berlin;  1864-65,  Mount 
Upton;  1866,  sy. ;  1867-69,  Afton ;  1870- 
71,  Windsor;  1872,  Thompson;  1873-74, 
North  Barton;  1875,  Ellistown;  1876-83, 
sy. ;  1884- 1903,  sd. 


Austin,  Andrew  Orthello,  was  born  on  November  9,  1864, 
in  Brookfield,  Madison  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  and 
joined  the  church  about  1880.  He  attended  the  district  school 
near  his  home  for  some  time,  and  later 
the  Brookfield  Union  School  for  several 
years.  He  attended  Colgate  Academy,  at 
Hamilton,  one  year,  and  graduated  in 
1886.  He  taught  school  until  1892,  when 
he  took  a  course  in  Eastman's  Business 
College,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  graduating 
in  1892.  After  leaving  the  Business  Col- 
lege he  followed  teaching  until  1895, 
when  he  entered  Drew  Theological  Sem- 
inary, from  which  he  graduated  in  1898. 
During  the  last  three  years  of  his  teach- 
ing he  was  principal  of  the  village  school 
in  Guilford,  N.  Y. 

In  1888  he  was  married  to  Miss  Fran- 
ces B.  Sprague,  of  Brookfield,  N.  Y. 

He  received  local  preacher's  license  in  1894  and  joined  our 
Conference  in  1898,  receiving  deacon's  orders  at  the  same  session 
of  Conference,  and  elder's  orders  in  1900.  His  pastorates  have 
been  as  follows:  1898-1900,  Union  Center;  1901-02,  Foster;  1903, 
Chenango  Bridge. 


ANDREW  O.  AUSTIN 


Austin,  John  R.,  was  born  on  February  i,  1873,  at  Muhlen- 
berg, Luzerne  County,  Pa.   He  is  a  nephew  of  Rev.  Isaac  Austin, 


Living  Preachers 


275 


for  many  years  a  member  of  this  Conference.  During  his  boy- 
hood he  hved  with  his  parents  on  the 
farm,  working  sunmiers  and  going  to 
school  winters.  When  fourteen  years  of 
age,  while  attending  the  Patterson  Grove 
Camp  Meeting,  he  was  converted.  Soon 
after  his  conversion  he  believed  himself 
called  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  In 
1894,  while  teaching  school  near  Benton, 
Columbia  County,  Pa.,  he  was  given  ex- 
horter's  license,  and  on  January  26,  1895, 
he  was  given  local  preacher's  license  by 
E.  H.  Yocum,  D.D.,  of  Central  Penn- 
sylvania Conference.  In  the  fall  of  1895 
he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he 
spent  more  than  three  years  in  study, 
struggling  to  pay  his  way,  serving  as 

janitor  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  tending  gardens,  and 
caring  for  lawns.  In  the  spring  of  1899  he  was  asked  to  supply 
Ash  Street  and  Nay  Aug,  Scranton,  Pa.  After  supplying  this 
charge  two  years  he  asked  for  and  received  admission  into  Wy- 
oming Conference.  He  served  Ash  Street  until  1903,  when  he 
was  appointed  to  Laurens. 


w 


JOHN  R.  AUSTIN 


Bailey,  Judson  N.,  was  born  on  November  30,  1868,  at 
Chinchilla,  Lackawanna  County,  Pa.  He  was  converted  in  1884 
at  Chinchilla,  in  a  revival  conducted  by  Rev.  S.  J.  Austin.  From 
early  childhood  he  had  a  desire  to  preach, 
which  was  renewed  and  enforced  at  con- 
version. He  attended  the  district  school 
in  early  boyhood,  and  subsequently  grad- 
uated from  Wyoming  Seminary  and 
Dickinson  College.  He  was  licensed  as  a 
local  preacher  in  1890,  and  in  1897  joined 
Wyoming  Conference,  having  been  rec- 
ommended by  the  Waverly,  Pa.,  Quar- 
terly Conference.  On  August  19,  1896, 
he  married  Miss  Addie  M.  Tingley.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa 
Society,  having  been  initiated  in  1897. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1897- 
98,  Centermoreland ;  1899-1902,  Moosic; 
1903,  Askam. 


JUDSON  N.  BAILEY 


276 


Wyoming  Conference 


Baird,  Joseph,  was  born  in  1854  in  the  county  of  Monaghan, 
Ireland.  His  ancestors  on  both  sides  were  Scotch,  and  members 
of  the  Church  of  England  in  Ireland. 

His  early  education  was  in  the  national 
schools,  and  the  schools  of  ''The  Church 
Education  Society,"  and  his  classical 
knowledge  was  received  from  private 
tutors  until  he  entered  the  Wesleyan 
Normal  Institution  of  Dublin 

He  was  converted  in  his  seventeenth 
year  and  united  with  the  Methodist 
Church,  becoming  a  local  preacher  the 
following  year. 

He  came  to  America  in  1873,  and  took 
work  as  supply  in  the  Northern  New 
York  Conference,  joining  that  Confer- 
ence in  1874.  In  1884  he  transferred  to 
New  York  East  Conference,  and  in  1902 
transferred  to  this  Conference,  and  was 
stationed  at  Worcester,  N.  Y.,  on  the  Oneonta  District,  where  he 
is  now  working. 


JOSEPH  BAIRD 


Barker,  Elbert  Ellington,  Jr.,  was  born  on  July  4,  1876,  at 
Durhamville,  Madison  County,  N.  Y.  His  parents  moved  to 
Oneida  in  1882.  He  graduated  from  the  Oneida  High  School  in 
1895,  from  Cazenovia  Seminary  in  1896, 
and  from  Syracuse  University  in  1902. 
He  entered  Syracuse  in  1896  and  re- 
mained until  1899,  during  which  time  he 
was  advertising  manager  of  the  college 
weekly,  the  University  Forum,  and  also 
conducted  an  advertising  bureau  in  the 
city. 

He  was  converted  at  twelve  years  of 
age,  and  realized  a  call  to  the  ministry 
during  his  freshman  year  in  college. 
Exhorter's  license  was  given  by  his  home 
church,  in  Oneida,  April,  1897,  and  local 
preacher's  license  in  June  of  the  same 
year.  He  left  college  in  January,  1899,  elbert  e.  barker,  jr. 
and  joined  the  Conference  in  the  next 

spring,  receiving  deacon's  orders  in  1901.  In  September,  1901, 
he  again  entered  Syracuse  University. 


Living  Preachers 


277 


On  August  5,  1903,  he  married  Miss  Laura  J.  Marshall,  of 
Pratt's  Hollow,  N.  Y. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1899-1900,  Heart  Lake; 
1901-03,  North  Norwich. 

Barnes,  Dayton  C,  was  born  on  September  14,  1834,  in 
Bradford  County,  Pa.,  and  was  reared  upon  a  farm.  He  was 
converted  in  1848,  during  a  series  of  revival  services  conducted 
by  Rev.  Levi  Pitts.  He  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  Le  Raysville 
Academy.  He  taught  school  for  some 
time,  and  for  four  years  from  seven  to 
ten  months  in  the  year.  On  August  18, 
1859,  married  Miss  Sarah  E.  Wood- 
ruff, of  Orwell,  Pa.  In  1863  he  re- 
sponded to  Governor  Curtin's  call  for 
volunteers  to  defend  the  State,  and 
served  forty  days  in  the  State  militia. 
In  September,  1864,  he  was  drafted  into 
the  United  States  service,  and  served  in 
the  army  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being 
mustered  out  on  May  5,  1865. 

In  1857  the  class  of  which  he  was  a 
member  voted  him  an  exhorter's  license, 
which  he  refused,  feeling  unable  to  do  the  work.  In  1869  he 
exercised  his  gifts  in  some  special  meetings,  which  led  to  his  being 
licensed  as  a  local  preacher  by  the  Wyalusing  charge.  In  1872 
he  supplied  Wyalusing  charge,  and  in  1873  joined  Wyoming  Con- 
ference. His  brother,  N.  W.  Barnes,  has  been  a  local  preacher  for 
many  years,  and  has  rendered  exceptionally  valuable  service  as 
supply  within  the  bounds  of  our  Conference. 

In  1900  he  took  a  supernumerary  relation,  on  account  of  the 
failing  health  of  his  wife,  and  now  resides  at  Montrose,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1873,  Nicholson;  1874-75, 
Gibson  and  Harford;  1876-78,  Factoryville ;  1879,  Orwell;  1880, 
Mount  Upton;  1881-83,  New  Berlin;  1884-86,  Little  Meadows; 
1887-89,  Vestal;  1890,  Marathon;  1891-92,  Brooklyn;  1893-94, 
Auburn;  1895-97,  Falls;  1898-99,  Lanesboro;  1900,  sy. ;  1901-02, 
Conference  Evangelist;  1903,  sy. 

Beers,  George  O.,  was  born  on  November  7,  1846,  in  the 
parsonage  in  Middlebury,  Conn.,  his  father  being  a  member  of 
the  New  York  Conference.    When  he  was  about  three  months 


278 


Wyoming  Conference 


old  his  father  died.  In  about  three  years 
his  mother  married  Mr.  Wilham  Bowker, 
and  moved  to  Herrick,  Bradford  County, 
Pa.  There  he  was  brought  up  on  a 
farm.  In  November,  1856,  in  a  meeting 
held  in  a  schoolhouse,  of  Herrickville, 
Pa.,  he  was  converted.  He  attended 
common  school,  had  one  term  in  a  select 
school,  and  was  five  terms  in  Wyoming 
Seminary.  He  taught  public  schools  a 
number  of  terms,  and  conducted  a  select 
school  two  terms.  When  about  twenty 
years  old  he  received  exhorter's  license 
and  one  year  later  local  preacher's  license. 
Before  his  conversion  he  thought  he 
would  some  day  be  a  preacher,  and  after 
conversion  the  conviction  grew  upon  him  until  it  clearly  became 
his  duty. 

On  July  5,  1872,  he  married  Miss  Clara  M.  Taylor,  of  Standing 
Stone,  Pa.  In  the  spring  of  1873  he  went  to  Rush,  as  a  supply, 
and  the  following  spring  joined  the  Conference. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1874,  Rush ;  1875-76,  Jen- 
ningsville ;  1877-79,  West  Nicholson;  1880-82,  Springville;  1883- 
85,  Maine;  1886-88,  Berkshire;  1889-92,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1893-95, 
Candor;  1896-98,  Hornbrook  and  Ghent;  1899-1903,  Le  Raysville. 


GEORGE  O.  BEERS 


Bell,  George  M.,  was  born  on  September  22,  1871,  at  Fram- 
wellgate  Moor,  a  village  just  north  of  Durham  City,  England.  At 
five  years  of  age  he  began  school  in 
the  above-named  village,  and  ultimately 
graduated  there.  His  father,  having  a 
large  family,  needed  his  assistance.  He, 
therefore  found  employment,  and  at  the 
same  time  began  study  in  a  private  school 
in  Durham,  where  he  studied  four  years. 
His  family  were  Methodists  and  gave 
him  religious  training.  It  was  at  a  Mon- 
day evening  class  meeting,  when  he  was 
thirteen  years  old,  that  he  gave  himself 
to  the  Lord.  There  are  seven  children  of 
this  family  now  living,  two  daughters 
and  five  sons,  all  of  whom  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church.    Of  the  sons,        george  m. 


Living  Preachers 


279 


three  are  itinerant  preachers  and  one  a  local  preacher.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  was  a  local  preacher. 

On  October  22,  1894,  he  left  home  for  America,  sailing  from 
Qiieenstown  on  the  28th,  and  arriving  in  New  York  on  November 
4.  He  at  once  went  to  Binghamton,  where  he  spent  the  winter, 
uniting  with  the  Clinton  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In 
1895  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Lackawaxen,  Pa.,  and  joined  the 
Conference  in  the  following  year. 

On  November  20,  1895,  he  married  Miss  Nellie  Oris  wold,  of 
Rowlands,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1896,  Lackawaxen;  1897- 
1900,  Narrowsburg;  1901-03,  Ariel. 

Benedict,  Haskell  Byron,  was  born  on  November  21,  1858, 
at  Schenevus,  N.  Y.    When  about  three  years  of  age  the  family 
moved  to  Albany.   On  August  3,  1863,  his  father  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany C,  7th  Regular  New  York  Heavy 
Artillery,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
on  June  17,  1865,  for  wounds  received 
at  Cold  Harbor.    His  education  was  re- 
ceived in  the  public  schools  of  Albany. 
While  living  in  this  city  he  learned  the 
trade  of  fresco  painter,  working  for  the 
same  firm  about  ten  years.    His  parents 
were  both  Methodists,  and  for  years  he 
was  a  member  of  Grace  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Sunday  School.    In  the  fall  of 
1877  he  became  a  member  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Sunday  School,  of  the  same 
city.    Soon  after,  through  the  efforts  of 
a  faithful  teacher,  he  was  converted,    haskell  b.  benedict 
while  alone  in  a  studio  on  North  Pearl 

Street.  He  was  baptized  and  received  into  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church  by  Dr.  Anson  J.  Upson  soon  after  his  conversion. 
Returning  to  his  native  town  in  1884,  where  he  had  become  a 
law  student  in  the  office  of  Philor  Benedict,  he  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  by  letter. 

His  call  to  the  ministry  came  with  his  conversion,  but  the  way 
into  service  did  not  open  until  going  back  to  Schenevus.  Here 
the  Church  gave  him  an  exhorter's  license  on  August  5,  1884, 
and  the  Otsego  District  Conference  gave  him  license  as  local 
preacher  on  March  25,  1885.  During  the  time  he  was  exhorter 
he  supplied  South  Hill,  an  out-appointment  of  Schenevus  charge. 


28o 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1885  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Laurens,  N.  Y.,  and  the  fol- 
lowing spring  joined  the  Conference. 

On  March  25,  1883,  he  married  Miss  Rebecca  Van  Zandt,  of 
Schenevus,  N.  Y.  Two  daughters  have  been  born  to  them^  Ber- 
tha and  Grace.  The  last  died  at  Sidney,  N.  Y.,  in  December, 
1890. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1886,  Laurens  and  Oneonta 
Plains;  1887-90,  Sidney;  1891,  Hampton  Street,  Scranton;  1892- 
93,  Otego;  1894-95,  Worcester;  1896-97,  Unadilla;  1898-1901, 
Montrose;  1902-03,  Owego. 

Benjamin,  Charles  A.,  was  born  on  January  27,  1858,  in 
Providence,  city  of  Scranton,  Pa.  When  thirteen  years  of  age 
he  found  Christ  in  the  pastor's  study  at  four  o'clock  on  January 

21,  1871,  and  at  once  identified  himself 
with  the  Church,  becoming  an  active 
Christian.  He  was  early  convinced  of 
his  duty  to  preach  the  Gospel.  In  his 
early  days  he  worked  in  the  lumber 
woods,  his  father  being  a  lumberman, 
attended  the  public  schools,  and  also 
clerked  in  the  store  of  his  uncle,  Mr.  A. 
Mulley,  in  Providence.  While  working 
in  the  store  he  usually  had  a  text-book 

 about,  so  as  to  lose  no  time. 

He  began  exercising  his  talents  as  a 
speaker  during  the  Francis  Murphy 
temperance  movement.  In  1875  he  en- 
cHARLEs  A.  BENJAMIN  tcrcd  Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years.  He  was  given  local 
preacher's  license  when  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  as  the  "Boy 
Preacher"  was  in  demand,  specially  in  revival  work.  In  1879 
he  became  assistant  to  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  at  Norwich,  where 
the  pastor  was  making  a  great  efifort  to  free  the  church  from 
debt,  and  the  following  year  he  went  to  Lisle  as  supply,  carrying 
on  studies  in  Cazenovia  Seminary  during  the  year.  In  188 1  he 
joined  the  Conference. 

Since  entering  the  ministry  he  has  done  special  work  in  the 
Greek,  Latin,  and  German  languages. 

On  June  30,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Minnie  Newton  Jansen, 
of  Kingston,  N.  Y.  Three  sons  and  two  daughters  have  been 
born  to  them.  The  oldest  son  is  now  a  student  in  Syracuse  Uni- 
versity, and  is  preparing  for  the  ministry. 


Living  Preachers 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1881-82,  Whitney's  Point; 
1883-85,  Sherburne;  1886-89,  Schenevus;  1890-92,  West  Pitts- 
ton;  1893-97,  Honesdale;  1898,  Jerniyn ;  1899-1901,  Athens; 
1902-03,  Asbury,  Scranton. 

Blair,  Hiram  G.,  was  born  in  Waymart,  Wayne  County,  Pa., 
in  1836.  Soon  after  his  birth  the  family  moved  to  Carbondale, 
where  he  lived  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  While  living  in  Car- 
bondale he  learned  the  printer's  trade 
with  an  uncle  who  was  publishing  a 
newspaper  in  the  place.  From  that  time 
he  was  engaged  in  newspaper  work  in 
various  places,  notably  in  Deposit  and 
Franklin,  N.  Y.,  Nashua  and  Manches- 
ter, N.  H. 

On  October  23,  i860,  he  married  Miss 
Caroline  E.  Morgan,  of  Nashua,  N.  H., 
who  died  in  Lisle,  N.  Y.,  on  May  30, 
1895.  Shortly  after  marriage  he  moved 
to  Scranton,  Pa.  In  August,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  E,  149th  Regiment 
(the  famous  Bucktails),  and  served  un- 
til the  end  of  the  war.  Was  engaged 
in  all  of  the  battles  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  from  Chancellor sville  to  Hotchkiss  Run.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  settled  in  Scranton  and  was  engaged 
on  the  Republican,  then  a  weekly  paper,  and  was  foreman  in  the 
office  when  the  first  Daily  Republican  was  published. 

He  was  converted  in  the  Adams  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  1872.  He  was  a  member  of  a  praying  band  in  Scran- 
ton which  was  very  helpful  to  many  churches  in  revival  work. 
His  first  exhortation  was  in  the  Moscow  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  which  the  praying  band  was  assisting  the  pastor,  Rev. 
G.  A.  Severson,  in  revival  work.  He  did  considerable  work  as  a 
singing  evangelist  for  several  years.  In  1875  the  Simpson 
Church,  of  Hyde  Park,  gave  him  an  exhorter's  license.  In  1876 
he  was  sent  to  South  Danby,  N.  Y.,  as  a  supply,  and  was  licensed 
by  that  church  as  a  local  preacher.  In  1877  he  joined  the 
Conference. 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  above,  his  school  days  were  limited.  On 
September  14,  1897,  he  married  Sarah  Sherwood,  of  Hornbrook, 
Pa.  In  1897  he  superannuated  and  settled  in  Hornbrook,  where 
he  now  resides. 


282 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1877-79,  Harford;  1880, 
Fleming-ville ;  1881,  Litchfield;  1882,  Hornbrook;  1883,  Union 
Center;  1884-85,  Jackson;  1886-88,  Kirkwood ;  1889-90,  Plym- 
outh, N.  Y. ;  1891-92,  Greene,  1893-94,  Castle  Creek;  1895,  Lisle; 
1896^  Smyrna;  1897-1903,  sd. 

Bloodgood,  John  D.,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  Pa.,  February  3, 
1843,  and  was  the  sixth  son  and  seventh  child  of  Rev.  Cyrus  and 
Catharine  Bloodgood,  early  settlers  of  that  region.    He  attended 

the  common  schools  until  sixteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  attended  select  schools, 
until  August  12,  1862,  when  he  enlisted 
as  private  in  Company  I,  141st  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
was  discharged  as  sergeant  June  28, 
1865,  wdien  he  immediately  resumed  his 
studies,  entering  the  Waverly,  N.  Y., 
Institute,  where  he  pursued  his  studies 
for  some  two  years,  after  which  he  began 
teaching,  which  profession  he  followed 
up  to  the  time  he  entered  the  ministry  in 
April,  1868. 

In  1878  he  matriculated  at  Illinois 
Wesleyan  University,  and  in  1881  grad- 
uated with  the  degree  of  Ph.B. 
In  September,  1866,  while  attending  a  camp  meeting  at  Spen- 
cer, N.  Y.,  he  was  convicted  of  sin  and  converted.  The  call  to 
the  ministry  soon  followed,  and  was  as  clear  and  definite  as  the 
call  to  repentance.  His  first  license  was  as  a  local  preacher,  and 
was  granted  by  the  Quarterly  Conference  of  Van  Ettenville, 
N.  Y.,  and  dated  in  January,  1868.  In  April,  1868,  he  was  em- 
ployed by  Dr.  Clarke  as  supply  on  the  Tioga  charge,  Owego  Dis- 
trict, and  in  April,  1869,  was  admitted  into  the  Wyoming  Con- 
ference. He  was  ordained  deacon  in  1871  by  Bishop  Janes  and 
admitted  into  full  membership,  and  in  1873  was  ordained  elder 
by  Bishop  Ames. 

November  17,  1867,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Belle 
Rogers,  of  Waverly,  N.  Y.,  the  fruit  of  this  union  being  two 
daughters — Lyllian  M.,  born  ]\Iay  15,  1873,  ^^^^  Ethelyn  M., 
born  May  22,  1880.  After  suffering  a  number  of  years  from 
consumption  she  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  on  February  26,  1899. 

In  1892  he  published  a  volume  entitled  Personal  Reminiscences 
of  the  War^  which  has  had  an  extensive  circulation. 


Living  Preachers 


283 


In  1894,  after  twenty-five  years  of  active  service  and  feeling 
increasingly  the  burden  of  disabilities  contracted  while  in  the 
army,  he  took  a  supernumerary  relation  and  accepted  a  position 
in  the  Pension  Bureau  at  Washington,  D.  C,  which  he  now 
(1903)  holds. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1869,  Tioga;  1870-71,  South 
Danby;  1872,  Vestal;  1873,  sy. ;  1874-76,  Sanford ;  1877-78, 
Lisle;  1879-81,  Gilbertsville ;  1882-83,  Wyalusing;  1884-85,  sy. ; 
1886-88,  Gibson;  1889-91,  Lockwood ;  1892-93,  Tioga;  1894-98, 
sy.;  1899-1903,  sd. 

BiCKFORD,  John  Helps,  A.M.,  was  born  November  21,  1859,  in 
Lancaster,  O.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  prepared  for  col- 
lege at  Jennings  Seminary,  Aurora,  111.,  graduated  from  De 
Pauw  University,  after  pursuing  the 
classical  course  therein  four  years,  in 
1888,  and  in  due  time  received  the  de- 
gree of  A.M.  from  his  alma  mater. 

He  was  converted  at  Constantine, 
Mich.,  where  his  family  was  then  liv- 
ing, and  joined  the  Church  on  proba- 
tion in  March,  1874.  He  became  a  local 
preacher  in  1879.  He  joined  the  South- 
east Indiana  Conference  in  1887.  From 
his  pastoral  record  it  will  be  seen  that 
he  did  considerable  supply  work  while 
pursuing  his  studies  in  preparatory 
school  and  college. 

On  October  24,  1888,  he  married  Miss  jqhn  helps  bickford 
Alice   Hovey  Dean,   of   Mendota,  111. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  them,  John  Dean  and  Elizabeth. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1879,  Truit's  Chapel  (sup- 
ply), Michigan  Conference;  1879,  ^^i§"  Rock  Circuit  (supply). 
Rock  River  Conference;  1880,  Somonauk;  1881-82,  Little  Rock 
and  Jericho;  1883,  La  Moille;  1884  (in  college)  ;  1885,  Maiden 
and  Arlington;  1885,  Harmony  and  Knightsville,  Northwest  In- 
diana Conference;  1886-90,  Rushville,  Southeast  Indiana  Con- 
ference; 1891,  Parkersburg,  West  Virginia  Conference;  1892- 
95,  Meridian  Street,  Anderson,  North  Indiana  Conference;  1895, 
Wayne  Street,  Fort  Wayne;  1895-97,  First  Church,  Akron,  East 
Ohio  Conference;  1897-1901,  Smithfield  Street,  Pittsburg,  Pitts- 
burg Conference;  1901-03,  First  Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  Wyo- 
ming Conference. 


284  Wyoming  Conference 


Blair,  Williams  T.,  was  born  on  April  26,  1861,  at  Kings- 
ton, Pa.  His  schooling  was  largely  in  the  Carbondale  High 
School.    He  was  converted  on  March  3,  1883,  and  at  once  felt 

called  to  the  ministry.  He  united  with 
the  Carbondale  Alethodist  Episcopal 
Church,  which  subsequently  gave  him 
exhorter's  and  local  preacher's  licenses. 
He  worked  as  shipping  clerk  for  the 
Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company 
in  Carbondale  eleven  years.  He  served 
the  Sunday  school  of  the  Carbondale 
J  I    ^Methodist  Episcopal  Church  as  superin- 

^^^^^  M^^^l    tendent  two  years,  and  also  was  presi- 
W^^^^m'^^KU     dent  of  the  Carbondale  Young  Men's 
l^^l^        Christian  Association  two  years. 
^^K^  On  September  13,  1883,  he  married 

^^^^^^^  Miss  Mary  Strickland,  of  Carbondale. 

WILLIAMS  T.  BLAIR  Hc  suppHcd  Baiubridgc  charge  part  of 

1889,  in  place  of  Rev.  H.  B.  Cook,  who 
went  West  in  search  of  health,  and  in  1890  joined  the  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1890,  Bainbridge ;  1891-93, 
Cooperstown;  1894-98,  Mount  Upton;  1899-1900,  Whitney's 
Point;  1901,  Lehman;  1902-03,  Wyoming. 


Benninger,  James,  A.M.,  was  born  January  i,  1867,  at  Auburn 
Center,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  He  entered  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary in  1886,  where  he  spent  four  years  in  study,  and  entered 
Drew  Theological  Seminary  in  1890, 
where  he  remained  two  years.  During 
his  studies  in  Drew  he  supplied  the  Al- 
derson  charge.  In  1892  he  joined  the 
Conference.  During  the  time  he  was 
pursuing  his  Conference  course  of  stud- 
ies he  was  also  taking  a  course  in  litera- 
ture with  the  National  University.  On 
completing  his  Conference  studies  he 
matriculated  at  Illinois  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, and  pursued  the  studies  leading 
to  the  Ph.B.  degree,  which  was  duly  re- 
ceived. In  1901  he  received  the  degree 
of  A.B.  from  Soule  College,  of  Dodge 
City,  Kan.  He  has  since  received  the 
degree  of  A.M.  from  Illinois  Wesleyan. 


JAMES  BENNIXGER 


Living  Preachers 


285 


He  was  converted  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  imme- 
diately joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Ashley,  Pa. 
Shortly  after  joining  the  church  he  received  his  call  to  the  min- 
istry, which  was  visible  to  pastor  and  church. 

On  December  23,  1890,  he  married  Miss  Emma  V.  Colburn, 
of  Ashley,  sister  of  Dr.  C.  W.  Colburn,  of  Carbondale. 

Several  articles  have  been  furnished  by  him  for  the  public 
press,  among  which  were  a  series  of  controversial  letters  upon 
the  subject  of  future  punishment,  and  an  article  before  the  Wyo- 
ming District  Preachers'  Association,  in  1893,  on  ''Should  Our 
Benevolences  and  Church  Support  Suffer  from  the  Financial 
Depression?"  which  was  published  by  request  of  the  Association. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1890-91,  supply  at  Alderson; 
1892-94,  Alderson;  1895-97,  Lehman;  1898-1903,  Embury, 
Scranton. 

Bloomfield,  Arthur  G.,  was  born  on  November  4,  1845,  '^^ 
London,  England.   His  educational  advantages  were  such  as  the 
common  schools  afford,  and  two  terms  at  Knox's  Academy,  in 
Toronto,  Canada,  and  three  terms  in 
Victoria  University,  Ontario.    He  was 
converted    at    eight    years    of  age, 
and    felt   at   the   time   of  conversion 
that  his  lifework  was  in  the  ministry. 
He   received   exhorter's   license  when 
eighteen  years  old,  and  the  following 
year  local  preacher's  license — this  while 
in  Ontario,  Canada.    For  three  years  he 
was  kept  busy  preaching,  and  usually 
three  times  each  Sunday.    In  1867  he 
joined  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Confer- 
ence of  Canada,  and  was  stationed  at 
Brock,  a  circuit  of  fourteen  appoint- 
ments, with  twenty  local  preachers  to   arthur  g.  bloomfield 
assist  him.   In  1868  he  served  Millbrook. 

In  1869  he  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Illinois, 
and  casting  his  lot  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 
He  served  successively  Marseilles,  Kendall,  New  Bedford, 
and  East  Bench.  In  1875  he  transferred  to  the  Genesee  Con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  served  the 
Corfu  and  Kendall  charges.  In  1879  he  was  transferred  to 
the  Pennsylvania  Conference  and  served  Auburn  charge  five 
years. 


286 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1886  he  joined  the  Wyoming  Conference,  and  in  it  he  has 
served  the  following  charges:  1886,  Franklin  Forks;  1887- 
89,  North  Tioga;  1890-91,  Speedsville. 

Increasing  deafness  prompted  him  to  retire  from  active  work 
in  1892,  since  which  time  he  has  lived  at  Corfu,  N.  Y.  In  1895  he 
superannuated. 

In  1869  he  married  Miss  Esther  E.  Wakelin,  of  Cartwright, 
Ontario. 

BoYCE,  Jacob  H.,  was  born  on  December  28,  1845,  in  the  town 
of  Apalachin,  N.  Y.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  the 
district  school  of  his  neighborhood.    He  attended  the  Owego 

Academy  in  the  winter  and  spring  of 
1865-66,  and  taught  school  in  the  winter 
of  1866-67.  He  alternated  attending 
Wyoming  Seminary  and  teaching  in 
Kingston  and  Forty  Fort  from  1867  to 
1872.  Since  entering  the  ministry  he 
has  taken  the  Chautauqua  Literary  and 
Scientific  course  of  reading,  and  has  the 
Chautauqua  diploma. 

He  was  converted  in  the  district 
schoolhouse  when  about  ten  years  old, 
and  soon  afterward  felt  called  to  the 
ministry.  He  was  licensed  to  exhort  in 
1866,  and  received  local  preacher's  li- 
cense in  1868  by  the  Kingston  Quarterly 
Conference.  He  served  as  supply  at 
Athens  from  October,  1872,  to  the  Conference  in  1873,  when  he 
joined  the  Conference. 

He  served  in  the  civil  war  as  private,  first  in  the  109th  Regi- 
ment of  New  York  Volunteers,  second  in  the  51st  Regiment  of 
New  York  Veteran  Infantrv,  from  January  i,  1864,  to  August, 
1865. 

On  September  30,  1874,  he  married  Miss  Christine  ii.  Stevens, 
of  Elkdale,  Pa.  They  have  seven  children.  The  oldest,  Robert, 
has  graduated  from  Syracuse  University,  and  is  a  member  of 
Central  New  York  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1873,  West  Danby ;  1874, 
Flemingville ;  1875-76,  Middlefield ;  1877-78,  South  New  Berlin; 
1879-81,  Edmeston;  1882,  Triangle;  1883-84,  Willet;  1885-86, 
Lisle;  1887-89,  Clifford;  1890-93,  Canaan;  1894-97,  Sterling; 
1897-1901,  Pleasant  Mount;  1902-03,  Damascus. 


Living  Preachers 


287 


Bone,  John  E.,  was  born  in  Quethiock,  Cornwall,  England, 
on  June  25,  1856.  At  eleven  years  of  age  he  was  apprenticed  to 
a  shoemaker,  and  served  seven  years  in  learning  his  trade.  At 
about  eighteen  years  of  age  he  came  to 
this  country.  For  a  while  he  worked 
on  a  farm  in  Wayne  County,  and  later 
at  his  trade  in  Peckville,  Pa. 

In  1875  he  was  converted  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  Pa.  He  graduated  from  Wyo- 
ming Seminary  in  1883,  and  from  Drew 
Theological  Seminary  in  1886.  In  the 
same  year  he  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence. 

He  married  Miss  Ella  Thomas,  of 
Peckville,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows : 
1886-87,  Yatesville;  1888-90,  Assistant 
First  Church,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1891-92, 
Derr  Memorial  Church,  Wilkes-Barre ; 

1893-97,  Oneonta;  1898,  Honesdale;  1899-1900,  Union;  1901-02, 
sy. ;  1903,  Glen  Lyon. 


JOHN  E.  BONE 


Bouton,  Webster  M.,  was  born  on  June  23,  1872,  in  Stamford, 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y.  He  received 
an  academic  education  and  taught  school 
eleven  years.  He  was  converted  when 
the  work  of  the  ministry  in  1897.  He 
received  exhorter's  license  April  5,  1899, 
and  local  preacher's  license  on  Septem- 
ber 26  of  the  same  year.  He  supplied 
Rockdale  charge  from  July,  1899,  to  the 
end  of  the  Conference  year,  when  he 
was  sent  as  supply  to  Oakland.  He 
joined  the  Conference  in  1901,  and  is  still 
serving  Oakland  charge.  His  grand- 
father was  a  local  preacher. 

On  August  21,  1902,  he  married  Miss 
WEBSTER  M.  BouTON      Bcmicc  R.  Carrier,  of  Oakland,  Pa. 

Bradshaw,  John,  Ph.D.,  was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland 
about  1850.  He  came  from  Belfast  to  New  York  city  when  just 
entering  manhood. 


288 


Wyoming  Conference 


On  July  i6,  1873,  he  married  Miss 
Isabella  Morrison,  of  New  York  city. 

He  was  converted  in  the  Eleventh 
Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  winter  of  1873.  He  was  called  to 
the  ministry  while  occupying  a  lucrative 
position  in  New  York.  He  went  as  a 
missionary  to  the  poor  white  people  of 
the  South  in  1875,  and  in  1876  joined 
the  Blue  Ridge  Conference.  He  re- 
mained in  that  w^ork  until  1880,  when 
he  entered  Drew  Theological  Seminary. 
While  in  the  South  his  highest  salary 
was  $150  per  year,  and  that  was  paid  by 
the  Missionary  Society.  After  joining 
Wyoming  Conference  in  1883,  he  being 
admitted  on  certificate  of  location  from  Blue  Ridge  Conference, 
he  pursued  a  course  of  study  in,  and  graduated  from,  Hamilton 
College,  Clinton,  N.  Y.  He  has  since  pursued  a  course  of  study 
leading  to  the  degree  of  Ph.D.,  and  received  the  degree. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1883-85,  Mount  Upton; 
1886-88,  Ashley;  1889-93,  High  Street,  Binghamton;  1894-95, 
Norwich;  1896-98,  Pittston;  1899-1901,  Nanticoke;  1902-03, 
Plymouth,  Pa. 


JOHN  BRADSHAW 


Bronson,  Ira  Lincoln,  was  born  on  May  20,  1865,  at  Orwell, 
Pa.,  and  is  the  son  of  a  Presbyterian  elder.  He  attended  graded 
school,  was  a  short  time  in  college,  and  was  three  years  at 
Moody's  Bible  Institute,  Chicago.  He 
received  local  preacher's  license  in  No- 
vember, 1894,  and  in  December,  1894, 
joined  the  Louisiana  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  In 
1900  he  united  with  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence, his  credentials  being  recognized. 

During  his  younger  days  he  was 
salesman  in  a  hardware  store  in  Fre- 
mont, Neb.,  two  and  a  half  years,  and 
taught  school  one  and  a  half  years. 

On  September  2,   1896,  he  married 
Miss  Leila  J.  Howe,  of  Orwell,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1900- 
01,  Wells  Bridge ;  1902-03,  McClure.  ira  l.  bronson 


Living  Preachers 


289 


Briggs,  E.  R.  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Oxford,  N.  Y.,  Sep- 
tember 30,  1853,  his  parents  soon  after  removing  to  a  small  farm 
in  the  town  of  Smithville,  N.  Y.  Here  school  opportunities  were 
very  meager.  The  parents  took  great 
interest  in  their  children  acquiring  an 
education,  and  special  lessons  were 
given  evenings  through  the  year.  His 
first  three  terms  of  school  away  from 
home  were  obtained,  the  first  at  South 
Oxford,  the  others  at  the  Oxford  Acad- 
emy, and  all  this  received  by  ''doing 
chores  for  board."  Several  terms  were 
spent  at  the  academy;  one  year  fol- 
lowed in  Colgate,  at  Hamilton,  N.  Y. 
Six  winters  were  spent  in  teaching,  one 
year  being  in  Oxford.  After  completing 
his  Conference  course  of  study,  he  took 
up  Chautauqua  work,  taking  two  years 
in  the  "Chautauqua  School  of  Theol- 
ogy," and  also  the  complete  four  years'  "C.  L.  S.  C."  course. 

He  was  converted  November  18,  1875,  in  the  Baptist  Church 
of  Oxford,  during  a  great  revival  conducted  by  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Patterson,  of  Binghamton,  and  united  with  the  Baptist  Church. 
He  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Oxford  in  1877, 
and  was  soon  after  given  a  local  preacher's"  license.  In  the  spring 
of  1878  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference. 

On  October  16,  1878,  he  married  Miss  Laura  H.  Arnold,  of 
McDonough,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1878-79,  Park  Place  and 
Green  Ridge,  Scranton;  1880,  North  Fenton;  1881,  Lisle;  1882- 
84,  Berkshire;  1885-87,  Greene;  1888-90,  Morris;  1891-95,  Mar- 
athon and  Killawog;  1896-98,  Whitney's  Point;  1899- 1900, Mount 
Upton;  1901-03,  Unadilla. 

Brown,  Albert  Fargo,  was  born  on  July  12,  1837,  in  the 
town  of  Lenox,  Madison  County,  N.  Y.  He  attended  school  at 
McGrawville,  N.  Y.,  and  was  at  Cazenovia  for  a  while.  He  was 
converted  when  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  in  a  meeting  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  Abijah  Brown  in  a  schoolhouse  near  Catlin  Set- 
tlement, on  the  Taylor  charge,  Oneida  Conference,  and  soon  after 
was  called  into  the  ministry.  He  received  exhorter's  license  in 
1855  local  preacher's  license  in  1857.  1858  he  was  sent  as 
supply  to  East  Homer,  where  he  labored  nine  months,  and  in  1859 
19 


290 


Wyoming  Conference 


he  joined  the  Oneida  Conference,  and  be- 
came a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference 
in  1869  by  the  accession  of  Oneida  ter- 
ritory. 

He  married  Miss  Mary  Etta  Culver, 
of  Cuyler,  Cortland  County,  N.  Y.,  on 
October  17,  1857.  They  have  had  three 
children,  one  son  and  two  daughters,  the 
daughters  dying  in  infancy. 

He  has  married  over  two  hundred  and 
fifty  couples,  officiated  at  about  four 
hundred  and  twenty-five  funerals,  and 
preached  over  six  thousand  times. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1858, 
ALBERT  F.  BROWN        East  Homcr ;  1859,  North  Summer  Hill; 

i860.  Summer  Hill;  1861-62,  Harford; 
1863-65,  Virgil;  1866-67,  De  Ruyter  and  Shedd's  Corners;  1868- 
70,  Willet;  1871-72,  Greene;  1873-74,  Smyrna;  1875-77,  West- 
ford;  1878,  Bainbridge;  1879-80,  Hartwick;  1881-82,  Schenevus; 
1883-85,  Salem;  1886-89,  Waymart;  1890-91,  Barton;  1892-94, 
Speedsville;  1895-96,  Lockwood;  1897-98,  Litchfield;  1899-1900, 
Danby;  1901-02,  Flemingville ;  1903,  Harford. 

Bruxdle,  Joshua,  was  born  on  ]\Iay  6,  1862,  in  the  county  of 
Suffolk,  England.    His  father  has  been  a  local  preacher  in  the 
Wesleyan,  Primitive  ^lethodist,  and  Methodist  New  Connection 
bodies  over  fifty  years.    He  is  one  of 
twelve  children,  all  of  whom  are  living. 
He  was  converted  in  a  prayer  meeting 
when  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  very 
soon  aftenvard  was  made  a  local  preach- 
er. He  did  considerable  evangelistic  work 
before  coming  to  the  United  States,  at 
Devonshire,  Cornwall,  Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne,  Scilly  Islands  (for  the  Bryonites), 
county  of  Cork,  Ireland,  Isle  of  ^^lan, 
and  other  places.    In  1892  he  came  to 
the  United  States.    He  was  at  ^Moody's 
school   in   Chicago   one   term.  After 
preaching  one  summer  in  Detroit  he  went 
to  Simpson's  school  in  New  York.    In      tqshua  bruxdle 
1893  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Rockdale, 

on  Oneonta  District,  and  in  1894  joined  Wyoming  Conference. 


Living  Preachers 


291 


In  July,  1894,  he  returned  to  England,  and  on  the  19th  of  the 
month  married  the  third  daughter  of  Mr.  John  Lueas,  of  Foxdale, 
Isle  of  Man.  John  Lucas  was  a  local  preacher  in  the  Wesleyan 
body  sixty-two  years. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1894,  Harpursville ;  1895, 
Harpursville  and  Nineveh;  1896-98,  Masonville;  1899-1902, 
Davenport;  1903,  Lehman. 

Burgess,  Thomas,  was  born  on  November  15,  1826,  at  New- 
port Pagnell,  Buckinghamshire,  England.  He  had  the  advantage 
of  the  school  in  his  native  town  for  seven  or  eight  years.  His 
father  and  grandfather  were  members  of 
the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church,  the 
latter  being  a  class  leader  many  years. 
He  does  not  remember  the  time  when  he 
did  not  pray,  but  at  eighteen  years  of 
age  he  made  a  full  consecration  of  him- 
self to  God.  From  childhood  he  had  the 
impression  that  he  would  be  called  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  At  nineteen  years 
he  was  given  exhorter's  license,  and  one 
year  later  local  preacher's  license.  He 
served  the  Church  ten  years  in  that  ca- 
pacity, preaching  almost  every  Sunday. 
In  1856  he  and  his  .family  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  went  at  once  to 
Athens,  Pa.  In  September  of  that  year 
Rev.  T.  D.  Walker,  of  Berkshire,  resigned  his  pastorate,  and  Mr. 
Burgess  was  sent,  in  October,  to  fill  out  the  balance  of  the  year. 
In  May,  1857,  he  joined  the  Conference  on  trial  and  was  ordained 
deacon  at  the  same  Conference. 

In  1847  he  married  Miss  H.  S.  Davis,  of  London,  England, 
who  died  at  Pleasant  Mount,  Wayne  County,  Pa.,  on  February  3, 
1883.  On  April  3,  1885,  he  married  Miss  Hattie  Pentecost,  of 
Forest  City,  Pa. 

Since  his  retiring  from  active  work  he  has  lived  at  Kirk- 
wood,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1857,  Spencer;  1858-59,  South 
Danby;  1860-61,  Flemingville ;  1862-63,  Van  Ettenville ;  1864-65, 
Caroline;  1866-67,  Vestal;  1868-70,  Maine;  1871-73,  North  Fen- 
ton;  1874-75,  Kirkwood;  1876-77,  Castle  Creek;  1878,  Willet; 
1879-80,  Hawleyton;  1881-82,  Gibson  and  Harford;  1883-84, 
Thompson;  1885-86,  Randolph;  1887,  Rush;  1888-90,  North  San- 


292 


Wyoming  Conference 


ford;  1891,  sd.;  1892-93,  Pleasant  Mount;  1894,  Hale's  Eddy; 
1895-1903,  sd. 

Burke,  Alfred  Rickard,  was  born  on  June  27,  1875,  at  South 
New  Berlin,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y. 
He  joined  the  Church  at  ten  years  of  age, 
but  passed  through  an  experience  which 
he  calls  his  conversion  in  his  nine- 
teenth year,  while  a  student  in  Hamilton 
College,  Clinton,  N.  Y.  He  graduated 
from  Oxford  Academy,  and  attended 
Hamilton  College  two  years. 

He  married  Miss  Fanny  H.  Alanning, 
of  Oxford,  N.  Y.,  on  August  22,  1900. 

He  held  local  preacher's  license  two 
and  a  half  years,  and  did  supply  work 
one  year  before  joining  Conference  in 
1900.    His  pastorates  have  been:  1900- 
ALFRED  R.  BURKE       02,  Exctcr ;  1903,  Edmcston. 

Butts,  Burton  N.,  was  born  on  May  2,  1864,  in  the  town  of 
Masonville,  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  brought  up  in  a 
Christian  home  and  early  began  a  life  of  prayer.  At  the  age  of 
ten  he  sought  pardon  in  Christ.  Being 
misguided  by  his  religious  instructors,  he 
did  not  find  the  peace  he  longed  for  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old.  He  began 
working  out  by  the  month  when  he  was 
eleven  years  old.  Nearly  every  summer 
after  that  found  him  in  the  employ  of 
some  farmer,  and  he  usually  served  about 
eight  months  of  the  year.  In  the  winter 
season  he  attended  school.  By  this 
method  he  earned  his  living,  and  ad- 
vanced in  the  English  branches  suffi- 
ciently, so  that  when  nineteen  he  began 
teaching  district  school,  and  taught  seven 
terms.  In  the  spring  he  was  twenty  he 
had  a  long  siege  of  rheumatic  fever,  dur- 
ing which  he  had  severe  spiritual  struggles,  the  result  of  which 
was  his  covenanting  with  God  to  enter  the  ministry.  He  received 
exhorter's  license  in  July,  1884,  and  local  preacher's  license  in 
March,  1885. 


Living  Preachers 


293 


On  April  6,  1885,  he  married  Miss  Delia  A.  Booth,  of  North 
Sanford.  The  same  spring  he  took  work  as  supply  assistant 
pastor  on  the  McClure  and  North  Sanford  charge,  living  at  North 
Sanford,  Rev.  Emory  Baldwin  being  the  pastor.  During  1886 
and  1887  he  supplied  the  Cherry  Ridge  charge,  and  joined  the 
Conference  in  1888.  During  his  pastorate  at  Wallsville  he  was 
severely  sick  with  a  complication  of  diseases,  so  much  so  that  for 
two  years  he  was  forced  to  cease  work  in  the  ministry. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1888-89,  Lackawaxen;  1890- 
91,  Herrick  Center;  1892-95,  Wallsville;  1896,  sy. ;  1897,  sd. ; 
1898,  Rockdale;  1899-1902,  Garrattsville ;  1903,  Foster. 

Callendar,  Clark,  M.A.,  was  born  on  August  2,  1867,  in  Fair- 
mount  township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  His  early  education  was 
acquired  in  the  common  schools,  and  from  diligent  study  whenever 
opportunity  afforded.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  he  began  teaching.  During 
summer  vacation  he  attended  the  New 
Columbus  Academy.  This  he  did  for 
three  years.  In  1888  he  entered  the 
junior  class  of  the  Bloomsburg  State 
Normal  School,  and  graduated  in  1890. 
Subsequently  he  earned  the  degree  of 
M.A.,  which  was  granted  him  by  the 
Bloomsburg  school  in  1892.  He  entered 
Dickinson  College,  but  was  compelled  to 
quit  on  account  of  illness.  He  has  since 
completed  the  course  for  Ph.B.  with 
Illinois  Wesleyan,  and  secured  the  de- 
gree. He  has  also  completed  one  year's  clark  callendar 
course  of  study  with  a  Boston  Corre- 
spondence School.  He  is  one  of  six  brothers,  all  of  whom  have 
taught  school. 

While  attending  school  at  Bloomsburg  he  became  acquainted 
with  Miss  Ida  M.  Miller,  whom  he  married  on  August  19,  1891. 

Early  in  youth  he  became  impressed  with  the  idea  that  he  ought 
to  be  a  preacher  of  righteousness.  His  own  convictions  were 
indorsed  by  his  home  church,  which  gave  him  a  local  preacher's 
license  on  August  22,  1891.  In  April,  1892,  he  was  sent  as  supply 
to  the  Shavertown  charge.  At  the  time  he  accepted  this  work  he 
was  principal  of  the  Luzerne  borough  schools,  receiving  twice 
the  salary  the  charge  paid.  In  1893  he  joined  Wyoming  Con- 
ference. 


294 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1893-94,  Trucksville;  1895-97, 
West  Nanticoke;  1898-1902,  Carverton ;  1903,  Sidney. 

Callendar,  Asa  A.,  was  bom  on  August  25,  1869,  in  Fair- 
mount  township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School,  and  has  been  a  very  successful 

school-teacher  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  has  covered  fully  two  thirds  of  the 
studies  necessary  for  admittance  to  the 
bar. 

He  was  converted  in  1895,  and 
soon  after  became  convinced  that  it  was 
his  duty  to  preach.  This  conviction  grew 
upon  him  until  he  yielded. 

On  October  11,  1899,  he  married  ]\Iiss 
^largaret  Foxcroft,  of  Kingston,  Lu- 
zerne County,  Pa. 

He  was  a  local  preacher  about  four 
months   before   joining   Conference  in 
1902,  when  he  was  stationed  at  Decatur. 
ASA  A.  CALLENDAR       In  1903  hc  was  appoiutcd  to  ^lasonville. 

Carrutii,  B1.SP10P  B.,  was  born  on  April  30,  1827,  at  Lorraine, 
Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  attended  the  Norwich  Academy  three  years.  In  his  younger 
days  he  taught  school  fourteen  terms. 

He  was  converted  in  a  meeting  held  in 
•  a  Baptist  church  in  his  native  town  when 

twelve  years  of  age,  and  wanted  to 
unite  with  the  Church,  but  his  father  and 
his  pastor  thought  he  ought  to  wait  a 
while,  considering  him  too  young  to  enter 
the  Church.  As  he  waited  he  wandered 
until  he  became  an  infidel.  In  the  winter 
of  1849-50,  while  teaching  school  in 
Guilford,  N.  Y.,  in  a  revival  meeting 
which  was  held  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  he  renewed  his  covenant 
with  God.  Shortly  after  this  he  became 
convinced  that  it  was  his  duty  to  preach  bishop  b.  carruth 
the  Gospel.    While  teaching  school  in 

Sherburne,  N.  Y.,  in  185 1,  he  received  exhorter's  license,  and  the 
following  year  local  preacher's  license. 


Living  Preachers 


295 


In  July,  1852,  he  united  with  the  Oneida  Conference,  and  be- 
came a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference  by  the  accession  of 
Oneida  territory. 

On  June  7,  1853,  he  married  Miss  H.  EHzabeth  Leonard,  of 
Smithville  Flats.  Mrs.  Carruth  was  raised  in  Guilford  and  spent 
her  early  life  there,  except  the  two  years  she  lived  at  Smithville 
Flats. 

Since  he  quit  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  he  has  lived  at 
Afton,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1852,  Bainbridge;  1853,  Tri- 
angle; 1854,  Edmeston;  1855-56,  Worcester;  1857-58,  Monticello; 
1859-60,  Westford;  1861-62,  Starkville ;  1863-64,  Exeter;  1865-66, 
Laurens;  1867-68,  Frey's  Bush;  1869,  Mount  Upton;  1870-72, 
Afton;  1873-74,  Willet;  1875-76,  North  Norwich;  1877-78,  Gil- 
bertsville;  1879,  South  New  Berlin;  1880-81,  Osborne  Hollow; 
1882,  Broome;  1883,  Choconut  Center;  1884,  Lackawaxen ;  1885, 
Bethany;  1886,  Sanford ;  1887,  Portlandville ;  1888-89,  West 
Danby;  1890,  South  Danby;  1891,  North  Tioga;  1892,  Litchfield; 
1893-1903,  sd. 


Cavanaugh,  Edwin  De  Witt,  was  born  on  April  5,  1864,  in 
the  town  of  Newfield,  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.  He  is  a  graduate 
of  the  Spencer  Union  School,  and  spent  six  years  in  teaching 
before  entering  the  ministry.  He  was 
converted  in  December,  1877,  when  less 
than  fourteen  years  old.  He  felt  called  to 
the  ministry  three  years  before  he  would 
enter  work,  and  struggled  against  the 
call.  He  was  licensed  as  local  preacher 
by  the  Spencer  Quarterly  Conference  in 
March,  1892.  In  1895  he  joined  the 
Conference. 

On  January  16,  1894,  he  married  Miss 
Amanda  Slocum,  of  Candor,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows  :  1894, 
supply  at  Preston;  1895,  Eaton;  1896-98, 
Wallsville;  1899-1901,  Cherry  Ridge; 
1902-03,  North  Tioga.  bdwin  d.  cavanaugh 


Chapman,  Albert  J.,  was  born  on  April  30,  1878,  in  Avoca, 
Pa.  In  1886  his  family  moved  to  Nanticoke,  Pa.,  where  he  was 
converted  in  1888,  and  received  into  the  Church.    In  1891  he 


296 


Wyoming  Conference 


moved  to  Winton,  Pa.,  where  he  worked 
in  and  around  the  mines.  The  year  1892 
found  him  hving  in  Peckville,  Pa.  Here 
he  received  a  Hcense  as  local  preacher  in 
1894  from  the  Peckville  Quarterly  Con- 
ference. He  entered  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary in  1896,  graduating  in  1901.  Dur- 
ing 1900  he  supplied  the  Douglass 
Presbyterian  Mission,  in  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pa.  In  1901  he  entered  Syracuse  Uni- 
versity, where  he  studied  two  years. 
From  April,  1902,  to  April,  1903,  he 
supplied  West  Monroe  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  the  Northern  New 
York  Conference.  In  1903  he  entered 
this  Conference,  and  was  appointed  to  West  Exeter. 

On  August  4,  1903,  he  married  Miss  Maude  A.  Trcvorton, 
of  Peckville,  Pa. 


■HAPMAN 


Cochrane,  William  Ross,  was  born  on  October  14,  1829, 
in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  came  to  America  in  183 1,  with  his 
parents.  He  was  converted  at  Cooperstown,  N.  Y.,  in  1856,  and 
joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
For  a  season  he  attended  the  Coopers- 
town  Seminary,  and  afterward  taught 
school  for  several  years.  In  his  younger 
days  he  learned  the  tanner's  trade.  He 
was  first  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Coop- 
erstown Church.  In  i860  he  supplied 
the  Hope  and  Benson  charge  in  the 
Troy  Conference;  in  1861  supplied 
Hyde  Park,  at  that  time  a  part  of  Coop- 
erstown charge,  and  in  1862  supplied 
Guilford  charge  a  part  of  the  year.  In 
1863  he  was  received  into  Oneida  Con- 
ference on  trial,  and  became  a  member 
of  Wyoming  Conference  in  1869  by  ac- 
cession of  territory. 

On  Decemiber  18,  i860,  he  married  Miss  Phrocene  D.  Mc- 
Farland,  of  Fly  Creek,  N.  Y.,  who  died  suddenly,  without  warn- 
ing, on  May  28,  1893.  On  November  26,  1894,  he  married  Mrs. 
Sarah  N.  Rommell,  of  Newark,  N.  J. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1863,  Mount  Upton ;  1864- 


WILLIAM  R.  COCHRANE 


Living  Preachers 


297 


65,  McDonough,  1866-67,  Plymouth,  N.  Y. ;  1868,  Sidney;  1869- 
71,  Exeter;  1872-74,  Decatur,  1875-77,  Vestal;  1878-80,  Jackson; 
1881-83,  Little  Meadows;  1884-86,  Castle  Creek;  1887-91,  Pleas- 
ant Mount;  1892-93,  Centermoreland ;  1894-95,  Stewart  Memorial 
Church,  Rendham;  1896-97,  Oakland;  1898-99,  Falls;  1900-03, 
Fairdale,  Pa. 

Chaffee,  Amasa  Franklin,  was  born  on  February  23,  1855, 
in  Dayton,  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.  He  attended  the  village 
schools  in  the  various  towns  where  the  family  lived  until  they 
moved  to  Randolph,  N.  Y.  Here  he 
entered  Chamberlain  Institute,  the  Con- 
ference seminary  of  Erie  Conference,  and 
prepared  for  college.  While  his  father 
offered  to  send  him  to  college,  he  be- 
came convinced  that  such  was  not  his 
father's  desire,  and  therefore  turned  his 
attention  in  other  directions.  In  the 
winter  of  1872,  while  he  was  teaching  the 
village  school  at  Napoli,  N.  Y.,  he  was 
converted.  One  of  the  prime  factors  in 
bringing  him  to  a  decision  was  the  read- 
ing of  Holland's  Bitter  Sweet.  In  the 
spring  of  1873,  after  his  winter's  work  in 
teaching  was  over,  he  went  to  James- 
town, N.  Y.,  where  his  family  had  moved  amasa  f.  chaffee 
in  the  preceding  November.  Here  he  en- 
tered the  employ  of  a  hardware  merchant,  he  having  considerable 
knowledge  of  that  business,  his  father  having  been  a  hardware 
merchant  for  years.  In  1875  he  went  to  Gowanda,  N.  Y.,  and 
established  a  fire  and  life  insurance  agency. 

The  summer  of  1877  saw  the  ripening  and  completion  of  years 
of  thought  concerning  his  lifework.  Shortly  after  his  going  to 
Jamestown  he  united  with  the  Church.  Active  work  in  the 
Church  prompted  the  Church  to  urge  the  ministry  as  a  lifework. 
Some  time  prior  to  this  he  had  heard  God's  voice  calling.  This 
was  stubbornly  resisted  for  some  years,  as  his  training  and  taste 
inclined  him  to  business.  In  June  of  1877  he  settled  the  question, 
sold  his  agency,  and  turned  his  face  toward  the  ministry.  During 
two  and  a  half  years  he  had  pursued  studies  in  the  college  course, 
thinking  that  perhaps  some  day  he  might  gratify  his  desire  for  a 
collegiate  course  of  study.  Upon  the  advice  of  his  cousin,  Dr. 
L.  H.  Bugbee,  president  of  Allegheny  College,  he  entered  Drew 


298 


Wyoming  Conference 


Theological  Seminary,  expecting  to  finish  the  college  course  at 
some  later  day.  He  paid  his  way  through  the  theological  seminary 
one  year  by  printing  Dr.  Strong's  lectures  on  Old  Testament 
history,  and  the  other  three  years  by  preaching.  He  graduated  in 
1 88 1,  the  last  year  of  his  work  at  Drew  being  almost  wholly  post- 
graduate. In  1882  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  Bishop  Hurst.  Since  entering  Conference  he  has  com- 
pleted his  college  course.  From  these  schools  he  has  Ph.B. 
and  B.D. 

He  was  licensed  as  local  preacher  in  the  fall  of  1877  and  1878 
by  the  Jamestown  church,  and  the  subsequent  renewals  were  by 
the  churches  in  New  Jersey  which  he  supplied. 

On  October  20,  188 1,  he  married  Miss  iNIaria  Ann  Manners,  of 
Milburn,  N.  J. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1882,  Laurens;  1883-84, 
Afton;  1885-87,  Cooperstown;  1888-92,  Union;  1893,  Derr 
Memorial,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1894-98,  Asbury,  Scranton;  1899-1903, 
Carbondale. 


Clark,  Robert  Linus,  was  born  on  August  9,  1868,  in  For- 
estport,  N.  Y;  After  some  time  spent  in  district  schools  he  was 
for  a  season  in  the  Bainbridge  High  School.  He  did  not  grad- 
uate, but  instead  went  to  New  York  city 
to  study  art,  intending  to  devote  his  life 
^^^^  \  to  it.  He  was  converted  at  Bainbridge, 
W^^s  \  N.  Y.,  during  the  winter  of  1888-89. 
m  \    This  changed  the  course  of  his  life,  as 

he  soon  realized  a  call  to  the  ministry. 
He  entered  Wyoming  Seminary  and 
graduated  in  1902.  After  one  year's 
work  in  Syracuse  University  he  entered 
the  School  of  Theology  in  Boston  Uni- 
versity, graduating  in  1896.  During 
the  four  years  he  spent  in  Boston  he 
established  a  mission  at  Forest  Hills,  a 
suburb  of  Boston,  which  is  now  known 
as  the  Upham  Memorial  Church.  He 
also  worked  two  years  as  superintendent 
of  the  University  Settlement  at  34  Hull  Street. 

He  received  exhorter's  license  from  Bainbridge  Church  in 
1889,  and  local  preacher's  license  a  year  later.  He  received  local 
deacon's  orders  in  the  spring  of  1896.  In  1897  he  joined  Wyo- 
ming Conference. 


ROBERT  LINUS  CLARK 


Living  Preachers 


299 


On  July  5,  1893,  he  married  Miss  Eloise  Newton,  of  Bainbridge. 
His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1897-99,  Gilbertsville ;  1900- 
03,  Forest  City. 

Cook,  Ambrose  J.,  was  born  on  March  29,  1842,  at  Westford, 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  He  is  the  youngest  of  six  children  who 
were  reared  in  a  Christian  home  where  prayer  was  daily  offered 
and  the  itinerant  of  fifty  years  ago  ever 
welcomed.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he 
was  so  burdened  with  a  consciousness 
of  sin  that,  during  the  noon  hour  of  the 
village  school,  he  called  upon  the  pastor 
and  sought  advice.  Two  days  afterward 
he  found  peace,  and  subsequently  joined 
the  Church. 

He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  spent  two  years  at  Caze- 
novia  Seminary. 

In  the  fall  of  i860  he  withdrew  from 
the  Church  because  of  conscious  un- 
worthiness. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion  he 
responded  to  the  first  call  of  the  Presi- 
dent for  troops,  enlisting  on  May  10,  1861,  for  two  years  in  the 
34th  Regiment  New  York  State  Volunteers.  At  the  expiration 
of  this  term  he  enlisted  in  the  13th  Regiment  New  York  Heavy 
Artillery,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  never  once  being 
excused  from  duty  on  account  of  sickness. 

In  the  winter  of  1866  he  listened  to  the  voice  of  God,  and  again 
united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  at  Middlefield, 
N.  Y.  The  following  August  he  was  received  into  full  member- 
ship and  given  a  local  preacher's  license.  In  April,  1866,  while 
still  a  probationer  at  Middlefield,  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Schuy- 
ler's Lake,  by  Presiding  Elder  William  Bixby.  In  1867-68,  he 
supplied  Sharon  Springs,  and  in  1869  joined  the  Conference. 

On  October  11,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Louisa  Harper,  of 
Sharon  Springs,  N.  Y.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
one  dying  in  childhood.    Two  sons  and  one  daughter  are  living. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1869-71,  Bainbridge;  1872- 
74,  Westford;  1875,  Fly  Creek;  1876-78,  Hartwick;  1879-81, 
Factoryville ;  1882-84,  Cooperstown ;  1885-86,  A f ton;  1887-88, 
Worcester;  1889-91,  Mehoopany;  1892-96,  Berkshire;  1897-1903, 
Wyalusing. 


300 


Wyoming  Conference 


Chamberlain,  Gilbert  M.,  was  born  on  September  14,  1830, 
in  Wyalusing,  Pa.  He  attended  Wyoming  Seminary  one  year, 
when  about  twenty  years  of  age.    Thirteen  years  later  he  again 

entered  the  seminary  and  studied  two  and 
a  half  years. 

He  was  converted  in  1852  at  Lime 
Hill,  Pa.,  and  joined  the  Church  at  once. 
In  1854  he  received  local  preacher's 
license.  He  joined  Wyoming  Conference 
in  1866,  receiving  deacon's  orders  at  the 
same  Conference. 

On  September  29,  1853,  married 
Aliss  Amanda  M.  Bunnell,  of  Tunkhan- 
nock,  Pa. 

Since  retiring  from  active  work  he  has 
lived  at  Tunkhannock. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1866- 
68,  Moscow;  1869-70,  Peckville;  1871-72, 
Wyalusing;  1873,  Salem;  1874-75,  Par- 
1878-79,  Athens;  1880-82,  Meshoppen; 
1883-85,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1886-87,  sy. ;  1888,  Falls;  1889-91,  sy. ; 
1892-93,  West  Nicholson;  1894,  Glen  Lyon;  1895,  sy. ;  li 
1903,  sd. 


G.  M.  CHAMBERLAIN 


sons;  1876-77,  Tioga 


Clarke,  Albert,  was  born  on  March  10,  1867,  at  Wooton, 
Northamptonshire,  England.  Three  years  later  his  parents  moved 
to  Northampton,  in  same  county,  where 
he  afterward  attended  the  St.  Edmund's 
Schools  and  the  Northampton  Science 
and  Art  School.  He  was  raised  in  a 
religious  home,  and  was  converted  in 
the  quiet  of  the  home  at  fifteen  years 
of  age,  and  at  once  joined  the  Wesleyan 
Methodist  Church.  At  sixteen  he  was 
a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school,  and 
shortly  after  this  became  a  local  preach- 
er. For  eight  years  he  was  a  local 
preacher,  exercising  his  gifts  on  Sunday 
and  working  week  days  on  the  North- 
ampton Mercury  and  Northampton 
Daily  Reporter.  In  1891-94  he  edited 
the  Northampton  Methodist  Monthly. 

On  July  21,  1892,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Denton. 


ALBERT  CLARKE 


Living  Preachers 


301 


The  latter  part  of  1894  he  felt  called  to  give  himself  wholly 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  He  could  not  do  this  in  the  Wes- 
leyan  Church  because  of  their  rule  requiring  candidates  to  be 
unmarried.  He  therefore  came  to  America,  with  the  purpose  of 
entering  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  1895. 
He  took  work  as  supply  at  Preston,  N.  Y.,  and  the  following  year 
(1896)  joined  Wyoming  Conference,  receiving  his  first  appoint- 
ment to  the  charge  he  was  supplying. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1896-97,  Preston;  1898- 
1901,  Plymouth,  N.  Y. ;  1902-03,  Westford. 

Cole,  Leonard,  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Pa.,  on  November  26, 
1825.  He  was  left  an  orphan  at  six  years  of  age,  when  he  found 
a  home  with  his  mother's  sister,  Mrs.  Otto,  who  lived  near  Car- 
lisle, Pa.  While  quite  young  he  began 
to  support  himself.  He  learned  the  shoe- 
maker's trade  and  supported  himself  at 
this  for  a  few  years.  It  was  while 
working  at  his  trade  in  Columbia  in  1844 
that  he  was  converted.  He  joined  the 
Church  at  once.  It  was  soon  discovered 
that  he  had  gifts,  and  he  was  accordingly 
licensed. 

On  May  26,  1847,  he  married  Miss 
Lucia  A.  Weeks,  who  was  born  near 
Burlington,  Vt.,  but  who  was  teaching 
school  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbia,  Pa., 
at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Several 
children  were  born  to  them,  only  three  Leonard  cole 
of  whom  grew  to  maturity — one  son  and 

two  daughters.  Mrs.  Cole  died  at  the  residence  of  a  son-in-law, 
Mr.  James  Rittenhouse,  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  on  April  21,  1894,  and 
was  buried  in  Forest  Hill  Cemetery.  On  November  6,  1895,  he 
married  Miss  Mary  Cooper,  of  Waymart,  Pa.,  since  which  time 
he  has  resided  in  Thompson,  Pa. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1853.  His  pastoral  record 
is  as  follows:  1853,  Lehman;  1854,  Abington;  1855,  Pittston ; 
1856-57,  Plymouth,  Pa.;  1858-59,  Hawley;  i860.  Spencer;  1861, 
Nichols ;  1862-63,  Wyoming  and  Kingston ;  1864-66,  Honesdale ; 
1867-68,  Newark;  1869-70,  Hartwick ;  1871,  Bethany;  1872-74, 
Plymouth,  Pa.;  1875-76,  Providence;  1877,  Montrose;  1878-80, 
Wyalusing;  1881,  Jermyn ;  1882-83,  Waymart;  1884,  Bethany; 
1885-87,  Narrowsburg;  1888-89,  Thompson;  1899-1903,  sd. 


302 


Wyoming  Conference 


Coleman,  Joseph  M.,  was  born  on  May  3,  1870,  at  South 
Sterling,  Wayne  County,  Pa.  He  has  attended  the  common 
schools,  and  is  a  graduate  of  Wood's  Business  College.    He  was 

converted  at  seventeen  under  the  preach- 
ing of  Jonathan  Weston.  Before  be- 
coming of  age  he  acquired  some  knowl- 
edge of  stone-masonry  and  carpentering. 
Since  arriving  at  his  majority  he  has 
clerked,  traveled  as  salesman,  and  done 
office  work.  The  call  to  the  ministry 
came  to  him  in  such  a  way  as  to  seem 
unequivocal. 

On  February  21,  1894,  he  married 
Miss  Minnie  Williams,  of  Springville, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa. 

After  supplying  Throop  two  years  he 
joined  the  Conference  in  1902,  and  was 
sent  to  Throop  for  the  third  year.  About 
the  middle  of  1902  he  was  sent  by  the 
presiding  elder  to  Beach  Lake,  taking  the  place  of  L.  D.  Tyler, 
whose  failing  health  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his  work. 


JOSEPH  M.  COLEMAN 


CoLWELL,  Ernest,  was  born  in  1872  in  Manchester,  England. 
His  father  and  grandfather  were  Methodist  preachers.  He  was 
educated  at  the  Liverpool  College,  England.  He  was  converted 
at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  at  once  joined 
the  Church,  in  which  he  became  an  ac- 
tive worker,  being  Sunday  school  teach- 
er, class  leader,  and  local  preacher  be- 
fore he  became  of  age. 

He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1894, 
and  soon  after  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  After  supplying  work 
in  the  New  York  and  other  Conferences 
he  came  to  Wyoming  Conference  in 
1897.  After  supplying  East  Bridge- 
water  (Alford)  one  year  he  joined  the 
Conference  in  1898. 

In  1896  he  married  Miss  Anna  C. 
Lantz,  of  Mifflin  County,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1898, 
Alford;  1899.    Franklin  Forks;  1900-1901,  Hallstead;  1902-03, 
Mount  Vision. 


ERNEST  COLWELL, 


Living  Preachers 


303 


CoNNELL,  George  S.,  was  born  on  March  2,  1871,  at  Middle- 
town,  N.  Y.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Athens 
High  School,  and  subsequently  took  a 
special  course  of  study  at  Wyoming 
Seminary.  He  was  converted  in  a  re- 
vival at  Athens  in  1888. 

Before  joining  the  Conference  in  1900 
he  served  Dundaff  two  and  a  half  years, 
Glen  Lyon  one  and  a  half  years,  and 
Dorranceton  one  year  as  supply. 

On  June  6,  1901,  he  married  Miss  Lea 
B.  Ruggles,  of  Dorranceton,  Luzerne 
County,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows: 
1900-01,  Dorranceton;  1902-03,  Moun- 
tain Top.  GEORGE  S.  CONNELL, 


CooK,  John  B.,  was  born  on  January  19,  1862,  in  North  Nor- 
wich, Chenango  County,  N.  Y.  He  graduated  from  Cazenovia 
Seminary  in  1882,  teaching  four  classes  during  his  senior  year, 
two  in  Greek  and  one  each  in  algebra 
and  geometry.  He  spent  one  year  in 
Syracuse  University.  Failing  health 
forced  him  to  abandon  the  hope  of  com- 
pleting the  course  and  go  to  Minnesota 
to  regain  his  health. 

His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm 
near  Norwich.  He  later  learned  the 
printer's  trade,  working  three  years  on 
the  Chenango  Telegraph,  of  Norwich. 
He  was  converted  in  the  Norwich  Meth- 
odist Church  during  a  series  of  meet- 
ings in  which  the  pastor,  W.  J.  Judd, 
was  assisted  by  the  Troy  Praying  Band. 
He  was  steward,  class  leader,  and  Sun- 
day school  superintendent  in  the  Nor- 
wich church  when  eighteen  years  old.  He  was  given  local 
preacher's  license  by  this  church  in  1881. 

He  has  twice  married.  The  first  wife  was  Miss  Nettie  V. 
Hoag,  of  Norwich,  N.  Y.,  who  lived  only  twelve  weeks  after 
marriage.  She  died  at  Wolcott,  N.  Y.,  where  her  husband  was 
supplying  in  the  absence  of  Dr.  Congdon  on  a  trip  to  the 
Holy  Land.   The  second  wife  was  Miss  Minnie  E.  Palmatier,  of 


JOHN  B.  COOK 


304 


Wyoming  Conference 


Morris,  N.  Y.  Two  daughters  and  one  son  have  been  born 
to  them. 

In  1885  he  went  to  Morris,  as  supply,  and  in  1886  he  joined 
the  Conference.  His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1886-87, 
Morris;  1888-89,  Whitney's  Point ;  1890,  Dallas;  1891-93,  Sidney; 
1894-98,  Newark  Valley;  1899,  Jermyn;  1900-03,  High  Street, 
Binghamton. 

Cooper,  Albert  Westervelt,  was  born  on  May  10,  1847,  in 
the  township  of  Whitestown,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  At  fifteen 
years  of  age  he  entered  Whitestown  Seminary,  in  the  village  of 

Whitestown,  graduating  from  the  school 
in  1867.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he 
entered  the  sophomore  class  in  Hillsdale 
College,  ^Michigan,  having  borrowed  $300 
with  which  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the 
course.  In  1869  ^.nd  1870  he  taught  in 
Holbrook  and  Bartlett's  Military  High 
School  in  Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.  In  1870  he 
passed  his  examination  for  entrance  into 
the  senior  class  at  Yale  College,  and 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1871,  with 
the  degree  of  A.B.  In  the  fall  of  that 
year  he  became  principal  of  the  Windsor 
Academy,  at  Windsor,  N.  Y.  The  next 
year  he  accepted  the  principalship  of 
the  public  schools  at  Susquehanna,  Pa., 
where  he  remained  two  years. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Moses  L.  Kern,  at  New  York 
Mills,  N.  Y.,  he  was  converted  when  not  quite  eleven  years  of 
age. 

Pastors  and  friends  often  predicted  that  he  would  become  a 
preacher.  This  was  doubted  by  Mr.  Cooper,  until  at  last  the  call 
came  from  the  Church  and  from  God  in  such  a  way  as  to  be 
unmistakable.  His  pastor.  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft,  gave  him  ex- 
horter's  license  on  December  20,  1875.  On  March  2,  1876,  the 
Binghamton  District  Conference  gave  him  a  local  preacher's 
license,  and  he  was  recommended  by  the  same  body  for  admission 
to  Conference.   He  united  with  the  Conference  in  1876. 

On  July  10,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Ada  A.  Smith,  of  Windsor, 
N.  Y.  Two  sons  have  been  born  to  them,  Albert  Lloyd,  who 
graduated  from  Wesleyan  University  in  1901,  and  who  is  now 
teaching  in  the  Scranton  Correspondence  School;  and  Jesse  Van 


Living  Preachers 


305 


Cleft,  who  at  this  writing  (1902)  is  a  senior  in  the  college  pre- 
paratory course  at  Wyoming  Seminary. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1876-77,  Franklin  Forks; 
1878-79,  Waverly,  Pa.;  1880-82,  Damascus;  1883-85,  Slaterville; 
1886-90,  Oxford;  1891-92,  Jermyn ;  1893-94,  Hampton  Street, 
Scranton;  1895-99,  Hawley;  1900-01,  Dalton;  1902,  Montrose; 
1903,  Union. 

Cornell,  Ferris  D.,  was  born  on  July  17,  1868,  in  Rush,  Sus- 
quehanna County,  Pa.    His  early  education  was  in  the  district 
schools,  and  at  seventeen  years  of  age  he  attended  the  Graded 
School    at    Springville,  Susquehanna 
County,  Pa.,  for  seven  months,  and  the 
year  following  two  months.    In  1888  he 
attended   the   Mansfield   State  Normal 
School  for  one  term,  making  the  junior 
course  in  the  spring  term.   He  taught  and 
worked  until  the  fall  of  1890,  when  he 
returned   to   Mansfield   and  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1891,  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Elements.   He  taught  school 
in  the  fall  and  winter  of  189 1,  and  en- 
tered Wyoming  Seminary  in  1892,  taking 
special  work  in  Latin,  Greek,  and  Ger- 
man.   In  the  spring  of  1893  he  was  sent 
as  supply  to  Eatonville,  Pa.,  and  joined      ferris  d.  Cornell 
the  Conference  in  the  spring  following. 

Since  joining  the  Conference  he  has  taken  a  course  in  ancient 
history,  manners,  customs,  geography,  biography,  and  exegesis, 
with  the  Christian  University,  Missouri,  receiving  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Ancient  Literature  in  1901. 

He  was  converted  at  eleven  years  of  age  at  East  Rush,  Sus- 
quehanna County,  Pa.  From  early  childhood  he  had  impressions 
concerning  his  lifework.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  these  im- 
pressions took  positive  form,  and  he  decided  to  enter  the  min- 
istry, receiving  exhorter's  and  local  preacher's  licenses  soon 
after. 

He  has  published  a  pamphlet  on  Present  Social  Dangers. 

On  January  24,  1894,  he  married  Miss  Luna  Evelyn  James,  a 
teacher  in  the  city  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.  Two  children,  a  boy  and 
a  girl,  have  been  born  to  them. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1894-97,  Maple  Grove;  1898- 
1903,  Wanamie. 
20 


3o6 


Wyoming  Conference 


Crawford,  Will  H.,  was  born  on  November  17,  1869,  at  Mast- 
hope,  Pa.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Wood's  Business  College,  Scran- 
ton,  Pa.,  and  spent  several  years  as  clerk  in  retail  shoe  stores  in 

that  city.  In  1897  he  entered  the  School 
of  Lackawanna,  in  Scranton,  and  com- 
pleted a  special  course  of  study  in  that 
school  in  1899.  In  the  fall  of  1899  he 
entered  Drew  Theological  Seminary, 
graduating  in  the  class  of  1902. 

He  was  converted  in  boyhood.  Ex- 
horter's  license  was  given  him  in  1895, 
and  local  preacher's  license  in  1898. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1899,  ^-nd 
was  left  without  appointment  to  attend 
school.  In  1900  he  was  sent  to  Lacka- 
waxen,  where  he  labored  until  1902,  when 
he  was  sent  to  Xorth  Sanford,  where  he 
is  now  laboring. 

On  October  30,  1902,  he  married  Miss 
I\Iay  Elinor  Jones,  of  Scranton,  Pa. 


WILL  H.  CRAWFORD 


Cromptox,  John  S.,  was  born  in  ]\Iehoopany,  Wyoming 
County,  Pa.,  September  14,  1867.  He  was  converted  February  6, 
1885,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  ]\Iehoopany  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  E.  X. 
Sabin.  In  the  fall  of  1886  an  exhorter's 
license  was  given  him  by  the  Rev.  J.  L. 
Race.  He  at  once  began  to  hold  Gospel 
meetings  in  schoolhouses  in  the  vicinity 
of  Alehoopany.  In  these  meetings  many 
were  converted,  and  the  seal  was  fixed  to 
his  call  to  the  ministry.  He  received  his 
first  local  preacher's  license  in  1887.  In 
the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  was  appointed 
to  supply  the  church  in  Avoca,  Pa.,  imtil 
Conference.  Later  he  entered  Wyoming 
Seminary,  Kingston,  Pa.,  at  which  insti- 
tution he  received  his  education. 

In  the  spring  of  1891  he  united  with 
the  Wyoming  Conference  at  its  session 

held  in  Waverly,  N.  Y.  At  the  same  Conference  he  was  elected 
and  ordained  deacon,  having  been  a  local  preacher  four  years. 
He  was  ordained  by  Bishop  Bowman.    In  1893  he  joined  the 


JOHN  S.  CROMPTON 


Living  Preachers 


307 


Conference  in  full  connection  at  its  session  held  in  Honesdale,  Pa. 
Pie  was  ordained  elder  at  Carbondale,  Pa.,  in  1895  by  Bishop 
Andrews. 

The  following  are  the  charges  he  has  served  :  1890,  Eaton;  1891- 
92,  Kirkwood;  1893,  Hawleyton;  1894-97,  Great  Bend;  1898- 
1900,  Unadilla;  1901-03,  Bainbridge. 

Crydenwise,  Henry  M.,  D.D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mil- 
ford,  N.  Y.,  on  September  26,  1839.  His  educational  advantages 
were  those  of  the  common  school  and  four  terms  at  the  Delaware 
Literary  Institute,  of  Franklin,  N.  Y.  ^=:£3^&^ 


While  attending  this  school  he  enlisted  in 
the  army  in  September,  1861,  in  the  90th 
Regiment  New  York  State  Volunteers, 
and  served  four  years  and  five  months. 
He  enlisted  as  a  private,  but  earned  pro- 
motion to  sergeant,  orderly  sergeant, 
second  lieutenant,  and  finally  captain,  in 
which  position  he  served  over  two  years. 
He  was  mustered  out  of  service  January 
29,  1866.  At  the  close  of  the  war  and 
until  mustered  out  of  service  he  was 
agent  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau  in  Ala- 
bama.   He  participated  in  the  battle  at 


Donaldsonville,  siege  and  capture  of  henry  m.  crydenwise 
Port  Hudson,  Red  River  campaign,  siege 

and  capture  of  Mobile,  and  other  campaigns  of  the  far  South. 
He  distinguished  himself  for  bravery  at  Port  Hudson,  being  one 
of  the  thousand  who  volunteered  to  make  up  the  ''forlorn  hope"  or 
storming  battalion  for  the  assault  and  capture  of  the  enemy's 
works.  Because  of  the  fact  that  he  successfully  led  this  charge 
he  was  honored  by  being  permitted  to  receive  the  surrender. 

On  February  25,  1865,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  W.  Hickox,  of 
Bainbridge,  N.  Y.  The  marriage  took  place  on  a  Mississippi 
steamer,  at  Morganza,  La.,  in  the  ladies'  cabin,  which  was  deco- 
rated by  the  regimental  flags  for  the  occasion.  The  ceremony 
was  performed  by  the  regimental  chaplain  in  the  presence  of  the 
officers  of  the  regiment. 

He  was  converted  and  joined  the  Church  when  ten  years  of 
age.  Exhorter's  license  was  given  him  by  Rev.  A.  Griflin,  while 
he  was  in  the  army.  Local  preacher's  license  was  given  him  by 
the  Laurens  Quarterly  Conference  in  1867.  He  joined  the  Con- 
ference in  1869. 


3o8 


Wyoming  Conference 


Dickinson  College  honored  him  with  the  degree  of  D.D.  in  1896. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1869-70,  Middlefield ; 
1871-72,  Cooperstown;  1873-75,  Honesdale;  1876-78,  Norwich; 
1879-81,  Wilkes-Barre,  Central  Church;  1882,  Newark  Valley; 
1883-86,  Presiding  Elder  on  Owego  District;  1887-89,  West 
Pittston;  1890,  Tunkhannock;  1891-96,  Presiding  Elder  on  Che- 
nango District;  1897-1900,  Lestershire;  1901-03,  Sayre. 

Councilman,  Carl,  was  born  on  December  26,  1863,  in  the 
town  of  Newark,  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.  Soon  after  his  birth  his 
parents  moved  to  Maine,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.   He  attended  the 

public  schools  until  sixteen  years  of  age, 
when  he  moved  to  Huntington  Mills,  Pa., 
and  attended  the  Academic  and  Normal 
School  of  that  place,  preparatory  to 
teaching.  After  graduation  from  this 
school  he  taught  in  the  public  schools  of 
Luzerne  County  four  years.  He  then 
went  to  Montana,  where  he  remained  one 
year.  Upon  his  return  he  attended  the 
Wilkes-Barre  Business  College,  com- 
pleting the  course  in  about  two  months. 

During  his  residence  in  Wilkes-Barre 
he  attended  evangelistic  services  in  the 
Franklin  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
CARL  couxciLMAN  Church,  couductcd  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Yat- 
man.  He  was  convicted,  saved,  called  to 
preach,  but  hardly  dared  entertain  the  latter  thought.  He  joined 
Franklin  Street  Church  on  probation.  Shortly  after  this  he 
secured  a  position  with  a  coal  company  at  Pittston,  where  he 
became  a  resident.  He  was  received  into  the  church  from  proba- 
tion in  the  Pittston  church.  He  became  active  in  church  work, 
and  became  assistant  Sunday  school  superintendent,  class  leader, 
president  of  Young  People's  Society,  steward,  and  trustee.  Seven 
years  he  struggled  with  the  call,  until  in  1895  he  surrendered. 
Shortly  after  this  the  Pittston  Quarterly  Conference  gave  him 
local  preacher's  license.  He  served  Flemingville  charge  as  supply 
a  short  time,  and  in  1896  joined  the  Conference. 

On  November  2,  1892,  he  married  Miss  Cora  M.  Phillips,  of 
Pittston,  Pa.  One  son  and  two  daughters  have  been  born  to 
them. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1896-98,  Flemingville;  1899- 
1901,  Tioga;  1902-03,  Camptown. 


Living  Preachers 


309 


Crosby,  George  W.,  was  born  on  March  25,  1870,  at  Milford, 
Hillsboro  County,  N.  H.  He  attended  an  academy,  took  a 
thorough  commercial  course,  and  had  about  one  year's  work  in 
college. 

He  was  converted  at  fifteen  years  of 
age,  and  immediately  felt  called  to  the 
ministry.  He  received  exhorter's  license 
in  September,  1895,  from  the  pastor 
of  Seneca  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  in  Septem- 
ber, 1896,  the  Buffalo  District  Conference 
granted  him  a  local  preacher's  license. 
He  served  as  supply  two  years  in  Genesee 
Conference,  two  years  in  New  England 
Conference,  and  one  year  in  Wyoming 
Conference  before  joining  us  on  trial  in 
1900.  In  1902  he  was  admitted  into  full 
membership. 

Before  entering  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry he  was  one  year  in  the  dry  goods 

business,  two  years  secretary  in  railroad  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  work,  and  four  years  an  accountant  and  ste- 
nographer. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1900,  North  Tioga;  1901-03, 
Speedsville. 


GEORGE  W.  CROSBY 


Custard,  Jeremiah  S.,  was  born  on  November  12,  1862,  at 
Bartonsville,  Monroe  County,  Pa.    After  the  public  school  he 
attended    the    Collegiate    Institute  at 
Stroudsburg,  and  Fairview  Academy,  of 
Monroe  County,  Pa. 

He  was  converted  at  eighteen  years  of 
age. 

On  December  10,  1884,  he  married 
Miss  Lizzie  Shiffer,  of  Hamilton,  Jeffer- 
son County,  Pa. 

He  served  as  supply  preacher  eight 
years  before  joining  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence in  1894. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
1894-97,    Little    Meadows;  1898-1900, 
Skinner's  Eddy;  1901,  Springville;  1902- 
jEREMiAH  s.  CUSTARD    03,  Clark's  Summit. 


310 


Wyoming  Conference 


Cure,  George  Alvah,  was  born  on  April  lo,  185 1,  in  Tomp- 
kinsville,  Pa.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Dickinson  College,  class  of 
1876,  receiving  the  degree  of  A.B.  on  graduation. 

He  was  converted  when  eighteen  years 
old,  at  a  revival  meeting  in  Scott  \^alley 
conducted  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman.  He 
taught  school  for  several  years,  which 
will  explain  the  fact  that  he  received  ex- 
horter's  license  from  the  pastor  at 
Jermyn,  and  local  preacher's  license  in 
1877  from  the  Honesdale  District  Con- 
ference. He  united  with  the  Conference 
in  1880. 

On  July  30,  1876,  he  married  Miss 
Helen  V.  Lewis,  of  Peckville,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1880, 
Union;  1881,  Assistant  at  Carbondale; 
1882-84,  Lake  Como;  1885-87,  Moscow; 
1888-90,    Hawley;     1891-93,  Asbury, 
Scranton;    1894-98,   Athens;    1899,   Newark  \'alley;  1900-03, 
Providence,  Scranton. 


GEORGE  ALVAH  CURE 


Correll,  John  ]\L,  Ph.]\L,  was  born  in  1856  in  Hamburg, 
Berks  County,  Pa.  In  his  younger  days  he  learned  the  trade  of 
brickmaker,  and  in  later  years  he  spent  some  time  as  clerk  in  a 
clothing  house. 

He  is  a  graduate  of  Dickinson  College, 
receiving  on  graduation  the  degree  of 
Ph.B.,  and  later  A.M.  from  the  same 
school.  He  has  also  received  the  degree 
of  Ph.]\L  from  ^IcKendree  College. 

He  was  converted  when  sixteen  years 
of  age,  in  a  revival  service  held  in  the 
^lethodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Ham- 
burg, Pa. 

In  1887  he  joined  the  Nebraska  Con- 
ference, receiving  deacon's  orders  at  the 
same  session  of  Conference.  In  1893  he 
was  transferred  to  Wyoming  Conference. 
He  received  elder's  orders  at  Bingham- 
ton  in  1896. 

On  November  22,  1886,  he  married  Miss  Kate  B.  Lookingbill, 
of  St.  Clair,  Schuylkill  County,  Pa. 


JOHN  M.  CORRELL 


Living  Preachers 


In  the  spring  of  1902  failing  health  compelled  him  to  retire 
from  active  work. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  Nebraska  Conference,  1887, 
Ohiowa;  1888-89,  Doniphan;  1889-91,  Ayr;  1891-92,  sy. ;  Wy- 
oming Conference,  1893-94,  Gilbertsville ;  1895,  Willet;  1896, 
Kirkwood;  1897-98,  Harford;  1899-1901,  Jackson;  1902-03,  sd. 

Davis,  Judson  Willie,  was  born  on  December  16,  1865,  at 
Paine's  Hollow,  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.  He  prepared  for  col- 
lege at  Cazenovia  Seminary,  and  took  special  work  at  Syracuse 
University. 

He  was  converted  at  his  home  in  Ve- 
rona, N.  Y.,  in  the  spring  of  1887,  during 
revival  services  in  which  Miss  Bessie 
Conway  was  assisting  the  pastor.  He 
had  attended  Sunday  school  and  church, 
read  his  Bible  and  prayed,  for  some  time 
before  this.  Before  his  conversion  he 
believed  that  his  lifework  would  be  in 
the  ministry.  After  conversion  the  im- 
pression strengthened.  For  a  season  he 
was  in  spiritual  darkness  owing  to  his 
refusal  to  preach.  When  he  consented 
light  came  again. 

He  received  local  preacher's  license  in    judson  willie  davis 
February,  1890,  from  the  Utica  District 

Conference.  In  the  spring  of  1894,  while  he  was  in  Syracuse 
University,  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  secured  him  to  supply  South 
New  Berlin,  N.  Y.  The  location  of  the  charge  was  such  that  he 
was  compelled  to  leave  Syracuse.  He  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence at  its  session  in  Carbondale,  Pa.,  in  1895,  receiving  deacon's 
orders  at  the  same  Conference.  He  was  ordained  elder  by  Bishop 
Charles  H.  Fowler  at  West  Pittston,  Pa.,  at  the  Conference 
session  in  1901. 

On  September  19,  1894,  he  married  Miss  Lois  G.  Smith,  of 
Verona,  N.  Y. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1895,  South  New  Berlin ; 
1896,  Chenango  Forks;  1897-99,  Smyrna;  1900-02,  Edmeston; 
1903,  sy. 

Davis,  G.  H.  H.,  was  born  in  St.  Johns,  Province  of  Quebec, 
Canada,  and  is  the  son  of  a  Methodist  minister  who  gave  forty 
years  of  service  to  the  Canadian  Methodist  Church.    He  was 


312 


Wyoming  Conference 


educated  in  private  schools,  beginning- 
Latin  and  French  when  eight  years  of 
age,  and  at  thirteen  was  reading  the 
Greek  Testament.  Prior  to  joining  the 
Montreal  Conference  he  served  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Troy  Conference.  In 
1897  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference, 
his  credentials  from  the  Methodist 
Church  in  Canada  being  recognized. 

On  September  12,  1883  he  married 
Mrs.  Minnie  Fraser,  of  Perth,  Province 
of  Ontario,  Canada. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1897- 
1900,    Springville ;    1901-02,  Skinner's 
G.  H.  H.  DAVIS  Eddy ;  1903,  West  Nicholson. 

Davis,  John  B.,  was  born  on  August  18,  1843,  in  Carbondale, 
Pa.  He  spent  some  time  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town. 
In  this  place  he  learned  the  tinsmith  trade.  In  1864  he  enlisted 
in  the  United  States  service  and  was  sent 
to  the  front  at  once,  joining  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  5th  Corps.  He  was 
present  at  Appomattox  and  witnessed  the 
surrender  of  General  Lee  to  General 
Grant.  After  returning  from  the  war  he 
spent  his  bounty  in  school  work  at  Wyo- 
ming Seminary. 

On  March  6,  1869,  he  married  Miss 
Frances  C.  Edwards,  of  Harford,  Sus- 
quehanna County,  Pa.  She  died  on  Oc- 
tober 27,  1900,  after  a  number  of  years 
of  enfeebled  health  and  much  suffering. 
One  daughter  was  born  to  them,  now 
Mrs.  Dr.  G.  C.  Holcomb,  of  Ulster,  Pa. 
On  December  29,  1902,  he  married  Mrs.  Jo^n  b.  davis 
E.  A.  Glorius,  of  Washington,  D.  C. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1872.  While  retired  from 
the  active  work  of  the  ministry  he  resided  at  Ulster,  Pa.  He 
supplied  as  follows  before  joining  Conference:  1866,  Harford  and 
South  Gibson;  1868-69,  Clark's  Green;  1871,  North  Barton. 

His  pastoral  record  since  joining  Conference  is  as  follows : 
1872-73,  North  Barton;  1874-75,  Hornbrook :  1876-78,  Orwell; 
1879-80,  Hanover;  1881-83,  Mehoopany;  1884-86,  Wyalusing; 


Living  Preachers 


313 


ALEXANDER  D.  DECKER 


1887-88,  sy. ;  1889-90,  Rome;  1891-95,  Camptown  ;  1896-99,  Spen- 
cer; 1900-02,  Conference  Evangelist;  1903,  Barton. 

Decker,  Alexander  D.,  was  born  on  July  21,  i860,  at  Port- 
land, Pa.  He  was  converted  at  Montrose,  Pa.,  in  1875,  and  joined 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  there. 

He  graduated  from  the  Montrose 
High  School  in  1880,  and  in  the  fall 
of  1882  entered  Wyoming  Seminary, 
where  he  continued  his  studies  nearly 
three  years.  In  May,  1885,  he  went  as 
supply  to  Harford  Mills,  N.  Y.,  and  in 
the  following  spring  joined  the  Con- 
ference. 

On  March  10,  1886,  he  married  Miss 
Ida  May  Sumner,  the  oldest  daughter  of 
Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
1886,  Harford  Mills;  1887-89,  Tioga; 
1890-92,  Wyalusing;  1893,  Newark  Val- 
ley; 1894-96,  Sidney;  1897-1900,  Clin- 
ton Street,  Binghamton;  1901-02,  Union;  1903,  Susquehanna. 

Doty,  Franklin  P.,  was  born  in  1853,  Wantage,  Sussex 
County,  N.  J.  At  an  early  age,  with  his  parents,  he  moved  to 
Barton,  N.  Y.,  and  later  to  Towanda,  Pa.  He  was  educated  in 
the  Waverly  High  School,  and  in  the 
Susquehanna  Collegiate  Institute,  at  To- 
wanda, Pa. 

He  was  converted  in  his  seventeenth 
year  and  united  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  becoming  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1873  by 
letter.  He  followed  the  vocation  of 
school-teaching  three  years. 

He  early  felt  called  to  the  ministry, 
but  resisted  the  call  for  years.  In  1877 
he  received  exhorter's  license,  and  in 
1878  local  preacher's  license.  This  year 
he  was  sent  as  supply  to  the  Halsey  Val- 
ley charge,  which  comprised  Halsey  Val- 
ley, Beaver  Meadow,  Hamilton's,  and 
Moffit  Hill.   He  joined  the  Conference  in  1879. 


FRANKLIN  P.  DOTY 


314  Wyoming  Conference 

In  1879  he  married  Miss  Amelia  Harding,  of  Barton,  Tioga 
County,  N.  Y.  Two  children,  a  daughter  and  a  son,  have  been 
born  to  them. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1870,  Hale's  Eddy; 
1880-81,  Oregon;  1882-83,  Harpursville ;  1884-86,  North  Abing- 
ton;  1887,  Thompson;  1888-92,  Avoca;  1893-94,  Peckville; 
1895-97,  Hampton  Street,  Scranton;  1898-1903,  St.  Paul's, 
Scranton. 

Dresser,  H.  H.,  was  born  on  January  1838,  in  Fort  Lee, 
N.  J.  From  the  time  he  was  of  sufficient  age  to  attend  school 
until  his  sixteenth  year  he  was  kept  at  school  in  his  native  town. 

After  his  sixteenth  year  he  attended 
school  in  the  winter  season  only,  until 
he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary,  from 
which  place  he  was  called  in  the  spring 
of  1865  to  serve  the  Narrowsburg  charge 
as  supply. 

He  was  converted  in  1861,  and  in 
February,  1862,  he  received  exhorter's 
license.  In  September  of  the  same  year 
he  received  local  preacher's  license  from 
the  Quarterly  Conference  of  McClure 
Settlement.  The  civil  war  furnished  him 
employment  which  proved  remunerative, 
and  furnished  him  with  means  so  that 
H.  H.  DRESSER  lic  could  proloug  his  studies  preparatory 

to  his  lifework. 

He  was  received  in  the  Wyoming  Conference  in  April,  1866, 
at  its  session  held  in  Owego,  N.  Y.,  and  on  September  25  of  the 
same  year  he  married  Miss  Sophronia  Gay. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1866,  Lackawaxen;  1867- 
69,  Tallmansville  (Lake  Como)  ;  1870-71,  Clifford;  1872,  Beth- 
any; 1873,  Salem;  1874-75,  Edmeston  and  Exeter;  1876-78, 
Plains;  1879-81,  Montrose;  1882-84,  Pittston;  1885,  Green 
Ridge,  Scranton  (now  Asbury)  ;  1886-87,  Athens;  fall  of  1887, 
transferred  to  Dakota  Conference  and  stationed  at  Huron, 
S.  Dak.,  where  he  labored  three  years ;  1890-94,  Presiding  Elder 
of  Watertown  District;  transferred  to  Minnesota  Conference, 
and  1895-96  served  Grace  Church,  Duluth;  1897,  Superintendent 
City  Missions  in  Duluth;  transferred  to  Wyoming  Conference, 
1898-99,  High  Street,  Binghamton;  1900,  Ashley;  1901-03,  Pre- 
siding Elder  of  Owego  District, 


LIV.ING  Preachers 


315 


Edwards,  Walter  A.,  was  born  at  Pike's  Creek,  Luzerne 
County,  Pa.,  on  November  6,  1866.  He  was  converted  in  the 
Ross  Street  Church  (now  Central)  of  Wilkes-Barre  in  the  winter 
of  1885,  and  joined  the  Ross  Street 
Church  at  once.  The  Quarterly  Con- 
ference of  this  church  gave  him  a 
local  preacher's  license  on  September 
2,  1895. 

He  was  educated  in  the  Wilkes-Barre 
public  schools,  the  National  Normal  Uni- 
versity of  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  Drew 
Theological  Seminary,  graduating  from 
the  latter  in  1900. 

He  was  connected  with  the  Wilkes- 
Barre  Business  College  from  1887  to 
1890,  when  he  became  assistant  secretary 
of  the  Central  Branch  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  of  Philadelphia,  waltbr  a.  edwards 
Pa.   He  subsequently  engaged  in  Young 

Men's  Christian  Association  work  in  Danville  and  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pa. 

In  1899  he  united  with  this  Conference  on  trial,  and  was  sta- 
tioned at  Lackawaxen,  Pa.  After  a  year's  work  here  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Colorado  Conference,  where  he  served  Me- 
rino, Brighton,  and  the  Merritt  Memorial  Church  in  Denver.  He 
was  transferred  back  to  this  Conference  September  i,  1902,  and 
stationed  at  Moosic. 

On  October  25,  1902,  he  married  Miss  Stella  May  Smith,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. 

His  father  was  an  enthusiastic  Methodist,  and  did  good  work 
as  a  local  preacher  for  a  number  of  years.  His  mother  was  a 
sister  of  Rev.  P.  M.  Mott,  and  planned  to  go  into  the  foreign 
missionary  work.  Her  health  failing  while  in  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary caused  her  to  abandon  the  cherished  plan.  She  subse- 
quently married  W.  H.  Edwards.  Six  children  were  born  to 
them,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  youngest. 

While  in  Drew  Seminary  he  entered  the  Student  Missionary 
Campaign  Movement  and  did  considerable  work  on  Wyoming 
District  in  its  behalf. 

Ellsworth,  Herbert  L.,  was  born  on  January  13,  1865,  at 
Le  Raysville,  Pa.  He  spent  the  early  part  of  his  life  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  when  sixteen-  years  of  age  began  teaching 


3i6 


Wyoming  Conference 


school.  In  1884  he  entered  Wyoming 
Seminary,  graduating  in  1888  as  vale- 
dictorian. Kingston  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence gave  him  a  local  preacher's  license 
in  1884.  He  was  at  Drew  Theological 
Seminary  during  1888-89,  Syra- 
cuse University  during  1890-91.  Here 
his  health  broke  so  that  he  was  com- 
pelled to  quit  school.  In  1897  he  be- 
gan work  with  Illinois  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, receiving  the  degree  of  A.B. 
from  that  school  in  1900,  having  spent 
one  year  in  residence  there. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1888; 
HERBERT  L.  ELLSWORTH    reccivcd  dcacou's  orders  in   1889  and 
elder's  orders  in  1894. 
On  November  26,  189 1,  he  married  Miss  May  Pembleton,  of 
Tioga  Center,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1888,  student  Kingston  Sem- 
inary; 1889,  Newark  Valley;  1890-91,  at  school;  1892-93,  Little 
Meadows;  1894-96,  Nichols;  1897-98,  Meshoppen;  1899,  Con- 
ference Evangelist;  1900-01,  Alderson;  1902-03,  Ashley. 

EsTES,  Ira  C,  was  born  on  April  17,  1856,  at  Garrattsville, 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  lived 
on  a  farm  until  he  entered  the  ministry,  and  resided  in 
Otsego  County  during  these  years  with 
the  exception  of  the  years  from  1864  to 
1868,  when  he  lived  at  Quaker  Street, 
Schenectady  County. 

His  education  was  secured  in  the  com- 
mon schools  largely.  However,  he  at- 
tended the  academy  at  New  Berlin,  Che- 
nango County,  N.  Y.,  several  terms.  He 
taught  district  school  fourteen  terms, 
usually  during  the  winter. 

On  October  5,  1881,  he  married  Miss 
Agnes  C.  Kenwick. 

He  was  converted  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  New  Berlin  in  Februarv, 
1878,  being  led  to  Christ  by  W.  F.  Sher-  ira  c.  estes 

win,  the  noted  singer  and  composer,  and 

joined  the  Methodist  Church  at  Garrattsville  about  a  year  later. 


Living  Preachers 


317 


He  received  exhorter's  license  November  8,  1884,  and  on  June 
25,  1887,  he  received  local  preacher's  license. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1889,  and  his  pastoral 
record  is  as  follows;  1889-90,  North  Fenton  and  New  Ohio; 
1891-92,  McDonongh;  1893-97,  Harford,  N.  Y. ;  1898-1901,  Da- 
mascus; 1902-03,  Vestal. 

Eva,  Thomas,  was  born  on  July  16,  1850,  at  Relubbus  Lane, 
Cornwall,  England.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  His 
conversion  occurred  in  March,  1871,  when  he  at  once  joined  the 
Wesleyan  Church  at  Hallainaning,  Corn- 
wall, England. 

In  the  spring  of  1873  he  came  to 
America,  and  united  with  the  Primitive 
Methodist  Church  at  Hazleton,  Pa.  In 
1875  he  received  local  preacher's  li- 
cense, and  during  the  ensuing  five  years 
preached  as  opportunity  offered,  and 
acted  as  class  leader  and  Sunday  school 
superintendent.  During  these  years  he 
studied  under  the  direction  of  his  pas- 
tors. Revs.  William  Bache  and  Thomas 
Corburn. 

In  1 88 1  he  was  called  by  the  Church 
to  give  himself  wholly  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry.  This  was  a  visible  token 
of  what  he  had  some  time  deemed  the  call  of  God.  He  there- 
fore joined  the  ministry  of  the  Primitive  Methodist  Church.  He 
served  Danville,  Pa.,  as  missionary  two  years,  and  Jeddo  two 
years.  In  1884  he  spent  three  months  in  his  native  land.  He 
continued  in  the  ministry  of  the  Primitive  Methodist  Church 
until  1891,  when  he  united  with  Wyoming  Conference,  his  cre- 
dentials being  recognized. 

On  August  15,  1876,  he  married  Miss  Rose  Williams,  of  Hal- 
lainaning, Cornwall,  England,  at  Hazleton,  Pa.  Two  sons  were 
born  to  them,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  On  July  14,  1883, 
she  died.  On  September  17,  1885,  he  married  Miss  JuHa  Rutt,  of 
Butler  Valley,  Pa.   A  daughter  has  been  born  to  them. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  Primitive  Methodist  Church, 
1881-82,  Danville;  1883-84,  Jeddo;  1885-86,  St.  Clair;  1887-88, 
Seek;  1889-90,  Parsons;  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  1891-93, 
Edmeston;  1894-96,  Harford,  Pa.;  1897-99,  Fairdale;  1900-01, 
Auburn ;  1902-03,  Waymart. 


3i8 


Wyoming  Conference 


Evans,  David,  was  born  on  July  ii,  1867,  in  Llanidloes, 
Montgomeryshire,  Wales.  He  lived  in  Wales  until  he  was  fifteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  America,  and  took  up  his  residence 

in  Plymouth,  Pa.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  town. 
A  number  of  years  after  coming  to  this 
country,  and  until  entering  the  ministry, 
he  was  employed  at  mining.  In  1882  he 
was  converted  in  a  series  of  revival  meet- 
ings held  in  Plymouth  by  the  Salvation 
Army.  Subsequently  he  entered  the  Sal- 
vation Army  and  devoted  about  four 
years  of  his  life  to  the  Army  work.  He 
was  advanced  until  he  became  superin- 
tendent of  the  Army  work  in  north- 
eastern Pennsylvania,  and  finally  had 
charge  of  work  in  the  West,  having  about 
one  hundred  and  eighty  workers  under 
him. 

On  December  24,  1887,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Reed,  of 
Scranton,  Pa.  In  the  fall  of  1888  her  health  failed,  and  it  was 
deemed  wise  to  return  East.  During  1889  Mrs.  Evans  acted  as 
church  missionary  for  Simpson  Church,  in  Scranton,  Pa.  During* 
this  year  her  husband  joined  Simpson  Church,  and  soon  afterward 
received  local  preacher's  license. 

After  supplying  Falls  part  of  one  year  and  Narrowsburg  three 
years  he  was  admitted  into  Wyoming  Conference  in  1893. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1893-94,  Narrowsburg;  1895- 
96,  Uniondale;  1897-1902,  Sterling;  1903,  Dallas. 

Evans,  Ziba,  was  born  on  May  25,  1835,  in  Nichols,  Tioga 
County,  N.  Y.  His  parents  were  lifelong  Methodists,  and  his 
father  was  a  class  leader  and  steward  nearly  fifty  years.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  attended  Owego 
Academy  two  terms. 

In  March,  1858,  he  was  converted  in  a  revival  service  which 
was  being  held  in  the  schoolhouse  of  his  neighborhood  and  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  J.  Phelps,  a  Baptist.  He  joined  the  Methodist 
F^piscopal  Church  at  once.  About  the  time  he  was  converted  he 
felt  called  to  the  ministry,  but  said  nothing  about  the  matter  for 
fourteen  years,  serving  the  Church  in  the  meantime  as  class  leader, 
steward,  and  Sunday  school  superintendent.  In  the  spring  of 
1872  he  received  exhorter's  license,  and,  closely  following  that. 


Living  Preachers 


3^9 


local  preacher's  license.  He  joined  the 
Conference  in  1874. 

On  November  19,  1856,  he  married 
Miss  Emeline  Lane,  who  passed  away  on 
June  10,  1 89 1.  Two  daughters  and  a  son 
were  born  to  them. 

On  August  25,  1892,  he  married  Mrs. 
Keturah  Deyo. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1874- 
76,  Harford;  1877-79,  South  Danby; 
1880-81,  Spencer;  1882-84,  North  Tioga; 
1885-87,  North  Barton;  1888,  Harford; 
1889,  sy. ;  1890,  North  Tioga;  1891-92, 
South  Danby;  1893,  sy. ;  1894-95,  Tioga; 
1 896- 1903,  sd. 


ZIBA  EVANS 


Flory,  Simon  H.,  was  born  on  April  29,  1866,  at  Stroudsburg, 
Pa.  His  father.  Captain  W.  S.  Flory,  was  a  local  preacher  for 
thirty  years.  He  was  converted  at  a  Methodist  altar  on  Decem- 
ber 23,  1878,  and  joined  the  Church  in 
1880. 

He  attended  the  public  schools  until 
fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  entered 
his  father's  shop  to  learn  the  tinsmith 
trade. 

In  the  winter  of  1887  he  ended  a  battle 
with  convictions  which  had  lasted  seven 
years,  and  decided  to  enter  the  ministry. 
Preparatory  to  that  work  he  entered  the 
Centenary  Collegiate  Institute  in  the  fall 
of  1888,  and  graduated  from  this  school 
in  1891. 

In  1 89 1  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Rich- 
siMON  H.  FLORY         boro  and  Penn's  Park  charge  in  the 
Philadelphia  Conference.     He  received 
deacon's  orders  from  the  Philadelphia  Conference  in  1893,  and  the 
same  spring  joined  the  Wyoming  Conference  and  was  appointed 
to  Flemingville,  N.  Y. 

On  June  7,  1893,  he  married  Miss  Jessica  Crowley,  of  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1893,  Flemingville;  1894- 
95,  Rome;  1896-97,  Apalachin;  1898-99,  Harford,  N.  Y. ;  1900-01, 
Choconut  Center ;  1902-03,  Plymouth. 


320  Wyoming  Conference 

Faulkner,  John  Alfred,  D.D.,  was  born  on  July  14,  1857,  at 
Grand  Pre,  Nova  Scotia.  In  his  boyhood  days  he  worked  more  or 
less  upon  his  father's  farm  and  in  his  blacksmith  shop.    He  was 

educated  in  the  public  schools,  Acadia 
Villa  Seminary,  Horton  Academy,  Aca- 
dia College,  Wolfville,  Nova  Scotia,  where 
he  received  his  B.A.  He  entered  Drew 
Theological  Seminary  in  1878,  and  grad- 
uated in  1 88 1  with  the  degree  of  B.D. 
He  then  studied  one  year  in  postgraduate 
work  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary. 

He  was  converted  when  about  thirteen 
years  of  age,  and  united  with  the  Wes- 
leyan    Methodist    Church    at  Horton, 
Xova  Scotia,  in  the  winter  of  1871-72. 
It  was  during  his  college  course  that  he 
became  aware  that  God  was  calling  him 
JOHN  A.  FAULKNER       to  thc  ministry.    In  November,  1882,  he 
went  as  supply  to  Beach  Lake,  becoming 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  that  time,  and  in 
1883  joined  the  Conference,  receiving  deacon's  orders  at  the  same 
session  of  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1883,  Beach  Lake;  1884, 
Yatesville;  1885-86,  Court  Street,  Scranton ;  1887-91,  Taylorville; 
1892-93,  Great  Bend;  1894-97,  Chenango  Street,  Binghamton. 
In  May,  1897,  he  was  elected  to  succeed  Dr.  George  R.  Crooks  as 
professor  of  historical  theology  in  Drew  Theological  Seminary, 
and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  place  in  September  of  the  same 
year. 

He  has  been  a  contributor  to  the  Methodist  Review,  the  Review 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  the  Bihliotheca  Sacra, 
the  Andover  Reviezv,  and  the  Reformed  Quarterly  Review,  be- 
sides The  Independent,  The  Outlook,  The  Christian  Advocate, 
and  other  religious  weeklies.  He  revised  and  greatly  enlarged 
Bishop  Hurst's  Short  History  of  the  Christian  Church  (New 
York,  1893),  and  revised  and  enlarged  pages  15-506  of  Bishop 
Hurst's  History  of  the  Christian  Church,  Volume  I  (New  York, 
1897),  and  wrote  pages  507-949  of  that  volume,  and  also  fur- 
nished the  bibliographies  to  page  650  inclusive,  and  enlarged  the 
rest.  Of  VolumxC  II  he  wrote  the  following:  Pages  1-114,  369- 
499,  615-739,  809-918;  prepared  the  bibliographies  on  pages  364- 
368,  444,  478,  605-614,  804-808,  872-874,  and  revised  and  enlarged 
the  other  lists  of  literature.    He  has  published  ''Wesley  as  a 


Living  Preachers 


321 


Churchman"  in  Papers  of  American  Society  of  Church  History, 
vol.  viii  (1897).  He  also  wrote  the  article  on  ''Charles  Wesley," 
among  others,  in  McClintock  and  Strong's  Cyclopx'dia;  the  ar- 
ticles "Methodism"  and  'The  Wesleys"  in  the  Nezv  International 
Cyclopedia,  vol.  xvii  (1902-04);  The  Methodists  in  "The  Story 
of  the  Churches"  series  by  the  Baker-Taylor  Company,  and  has 
been  invited  to  write  The  History  of  Doctrine,  in  the  Hurst  and 
Crooks  "Library  of  Biblical  and  Theological  Literature." 

In  1897  Wesleyan  University  honored  itself  and  him  by  con- 
ferring upon  him  the  degree  of  D.D. ;  and  Acadia  College  gave 
him  the  degree  of  D.D.  in  1902. 

On  July  28,  1887,  he  married  Miss  Helen  M.  Underwood,  of 
Pittston,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Underwood,  for  many  years  a 
prominent  official  of  the  Pittston  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Two  sons  and  a  daughter  have  been  born  to  them. 

During  1901  and  1902  he  spent  a  year  in  special  study  at 
Leipsic. 

Floyd,  Lyman  C,  Ph.D.,  was  born  on  March  11,  1836,  in  the 
town  of  Chemung,  Chemung  County,  N.  Y.  He  attended  the 
public  schools,  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  Genesee  Wesleyan  Sem- 
inary, at  Lima,  N.  Y.  Since  entering  the 
ministry  he  has  studied  with  Illinois 
Wesleyan  University,  receiving  there- 
from the  degrees  of  Ph.B.,  M.A.,  and 
Ph.D. 

He  was  converted  at  Factoryville, 
N.  Y.,  when  six  years  of  age,  but  did  not 
join  the  Church  until  sixteen  years  of 
age. 

After  acting  as  class  leader  one  year 
he  was  given  exhorter's  license  in  1857. 
In  1862  he  was  licensed  as  a  local 
preacher,  and  recommended  to  Confer- 
ence for  admission  by  the  same  Quarterly 
Conference.  The  same  year  he  joined  lyman  c.  floyd 
the  Conference. 

On  May  7,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Kate  H.  Kennedy,  of  Scran- 
ton,  Pa.,  a  former  student  of  Wyoming  Seminary,  and  a  teacher 
in  the  Scranton  High  School.  Five  children  have  been  born  to 
them.  Miss  Grace  is  a  graduate  of  the  Woman's  College  of  Bal- 
timore, and  Lyman  C,  Jr.,  is  a  graduate  from  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity. The  other  three  have  deceased. 
21 


322 


Wyoaiing  Conference 


He  has  never  been  a  full  day  in  bed  from  sickness.  His  ex- 
cellent health  he  ascribes  to  his  habit  of  a  weekly  fast,  exercise  in 
the  open  air,  and  his  habit  of  studying  in  the  early  morning  from 
4  to  7  o'clock. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1862,  Lacka waxen;  1863-64, 
Windsor;  1865,  Mount  Pleasant;  1866-68,  Candor;  1869-71,  Ross 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1872-74,  Centenary  Church,  Binghamton ; 
1875-76,  Adams  Avenue,  Scranton;  1877-80,  Presiding  Elder  on 
Chenango  District;  1881-82,  Providence,  Scranton;  1883-85, 
Carbondale;  1886-88,  Plymouth,  Pa.;  1889-90,  Carbondale ;  1891- 
95,  Simpson  Church,  Scranton;  1896-1901,  Presiding  Elder  on 
Binghamton  District;  1902-03,  Xanticoke. 

Fixcii,  AoELiiERT  D.,  was  born  on  June  26,  1870,  at  Toddsville, 
Otsego  County,  X.  Y.  He  received  his 
early  education  at  the  Cooperstown 
Union  School,  and  later  attended  Hart- 
wick  Seminary. 

He  was  licensed  as  a  local  preacher  in 
1889,  received  deacon's  orders  in  1894 
and  elder's  orders  in  1898.  After  serving 
as  a  supply  under  presiding  elders  for  six 
years  he  joined  the  Wyoming  Conference 
in  1900,  at  its  session  held  in  Owego, 
X.  Y. 

In  1891  he  married  Miss  X'ellie  M. 
Bhss,  of  Toddsville,  X.  Y. 

His   pastoral   record   is   as   follows : 

ADELBERT  D.  FINCH  I9OO-O3,  Hartwick. 

Forsyth,  George,  A.M.,  was  born  in  Gateshead,  England,  and 
came  to  America  in  boyhood.  He  prepared  for  college  at 
Amenia  Seminary,  and  graduated  from  Wesleyan  University  in 
1864,  receiving  the  bachelor's  degree  at  the  time,  and  the  degree 
of  A.M.  in  1867. 

He  was  converted  in  i860,  received  local  preacher's  license  in 
1862,  and  was  admitted  into  Wyoming  Conference  in  1867. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1867-70,  Professor  in  Wy- 
oming Seminary;  1871-72,  Gibson  and  Jackson;  1873-81,  Princi- 
pal of  East  Maine  Conference  Seminary;  1881-83,  Susquehanna; 
1884-86,  Owego;  1887-89,  Providence,  Scranton;  1890-94,  Xan- 
ticoke; 1895-1900,  Presiding  Elder  of  Owego  District;  1901-02, 
Chenango  Street,  Binghamton;  1903,  sy. 


Living  Preachers 


323 


Fisher,  Gilbert  D.,  was  born  on  February  21,  1867,  in  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.    He  was  converted  at  Mar- 
iner's Harbor,  N.  Y.,  on  February  6, 
1884,  and  at  once  joined  the  Church. 

He  graduated  from  Mount  Hermon 
School,  of  Mount  Hermon,  Mass.,  in 
1893,  and  from  Drew  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  1896. 

On  June  25,  1896,  he  married  Miss 
Martha  J.  Young,  of  West  New 
Brighton,  Staten  Island. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1896,  and 
his  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1896, 
Union  Center;  1897-98,  Franklin  Forks; 
1899-1901,  Harford,  Pa.;  1902-03,  Apa- 
lachin.  ,  gilbert  d.  fisher 

Frear,  Charles  A.,  was  born  on  January  23,  1876,  in  Unadilla, 
N.  Y.,  where  his  parents  have  lived  a  number  of  years.  The 
family  has  been  actively  identified  with  Methodism  for  some  time. 

After  leaving  the  district  school  near  the 
homestead,  he  entered  the  Unadilla 
Academy  in  1890  and  graduated  in  1894. 
From  this  time  he  taught  school  until 
1898,  when  he  entered  Hamilton  Col- 
lege, at  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1902.  A  few  weeks  before 
graduation  he  was  taken  ill,  and  was  un- 
able to  be  present  at  graduation.  Early 
in  July  he  engaged  as  vice  principal  of 
the  Greenwich  (Conn.)  High  School. 
At  the  end  of  August  he  had  not  suffi- 
ciently recovered  to  permit  him  to  take 
the  work.  He  therefore  resigned. 
CHARLES  A.  FREAR  He  was  coHvcrtcd  at  seventeen,  and  a 

year  later  united  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  Sidney,  N.  Y.  He  early  felt  called  to  preach, 
but  did  not  yield  for  some  time,  the  profession  of  law  having 
attractions  for  him.  After  a  long  struggle  he  yielded.  After 
about  six  months'  work  as  supply  he  was  admitted  to  this  Con- 
ference in  1903,  and  appointed  to  Cooperstown  Junction. 

On  November  25,  1903,  he  married  Miss  J.  Blanche  Every,  of 
Cooperstown  Junction,  N.  Y. 


324 


Wyoming  Conference 


Frisby,  William,  was  born  on  September  29,  1852,  at  Cottes- 
more, Riithlandshire,  England.  He  attended  the  following 
schools :  Whitewell  House,  Huntingdon,  Preparatory ;  Stamford 

Academy;  and  Belper  Collegiate  School. 
He  also  took  a  two-years'  course  in  civil 
engineering  at  Evesham,  under  Frederick 
Pace,  C.E. 

He  was  converted  in  New  York  city 
on  June  28,  1881.  He  received  local 
preacher's  license  from  the  Quarterly 
Conference  of  Hedding  Methodist  Ei)is- 
copal  Church,  New  York,  March  7,  1884, 
and  joined  Wyoming  Conference  the 
following  spring. 

On  May  4,  1882,  he  married  Miss 
Jennie  L.  Norris,  of  New  York  city. 
His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows  :  1885- 
WILT.IAM  FRISBY  86,  Stoddartsville ;  1887-88,  New  Berlin 

and  Columbus;  1889-92,  Guilford;  1893, 
Whitney's  Point;  1894-96,  Oxford;  1897-98,  Taylor;  1899-1902, 
Sidney;  1903,  Clinton  Street,  Binghamton. 

Fuller,  Moses  D.,  D.D.,  was  born  on  September  6,  1845,  at 
Wantage,  Sussex  County,  N.  J.  He  attended  the  common  schools, 
and  Milford  Academy,  Pike  County,  Pa. 

On  September  5,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
the  52d  Regiment  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  received  his  discharge 
therefrom  on  July  12,  1865,  at  Salisbury, 
N.  C.  His  conversion  was  at  Tranquility, 
N.  J.,  on  November  12,  1865.  Exhorter's 
license  was  given  him  by  C.  S.  Coit, 
presiding  elder  of  the  Newton  District, 
Newark  Conference,  on  January  27,  1868, 
local  preacher's  license  by  the  Dingman's 
Choice  Quarterly  Conference,  of  the 
Newark  Conference,  on  May  9,  1868. 
He  began  preaching  as  supply  in  July, 
1868,  on  the  Paupack  charge,  and  joined 
the  Conference  in  1869.  ^^^^^-'^  duller 

On  July  8,   1869,  he  married  Miss 
Joanna  Hoel,  of  Hamlinton,  Wayne  County,  Pa.   Two  sons  and  a 
daughter  have  been  born  to  them.    One  son,  Floyd  E.,  became 


Living  Preachers 


325 


a  member  of  St.  John's  River  Conference.  He  died  on  July  24, 
1899.  The  other  son  entered  upon  a  mercantile  life.  The  daugh- 
ter, Edna,  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  T.  W.  Kay,  of  Scranton,  Pa. 

He  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  in  1897  from  Grant  University. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1869,  Paupack;  1870,  Herrick 
Center;  1871-73,  Hale's  Eddy;  1874-76,  Tallmansville ;  1877-79, 
Damascus;  1880-82,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1883-85,  Ashley;  1886-89, 
Wyoming;  1890-94,  Providence,  Scranton;  1895-99,  Owego; 
1900-03,  Jermyn. 

FuREY,  Thomas  May,  was  born  on  May  21,  i860,  in  Spring- 
ville,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  at  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Academy  of  the  same  city.  He  also  at- 
tended the  College  of  Pharmacy  and 
Pierce's  Business  College  there. 

He  was  converted  in  a  Sunday  school 
prayer  meeting  held  in  North  Ninth 
Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Phil- 
adelphia, on  October  12,  1875.  When 
but  a  child  he  believed  himself  destined 
to  the  ministry,  and  passing  years  ripened 
the  thought  into  conviction  that  he  ought 
to  preach.  Providential  indications  set- 
tled the  question.  Exhorter's  license  was 
granted  him  on  April  4,  1881,  by  Had- 
dington Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
Philadelphia ;  and  local  preacher's  license  thomas  may  furey 
was  given  him  October  29,  188 1,  by  the 

Loyalsock  Circuit  of  Central  Pennsylvania  Conference,  of  which 
his  brother,  J.  R.  Furey,  was  pastor.  He  joined  Virginia  Con- 
ference in  1883,  and  in  1884  ^vas  transferred  to  this  Conference. 
In  the  fall  of  1903  he  was  appointed  district  missionary  for  the 
Children's  Home  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  and  has  a  territory 
covering  ten  counties.  He  is  the  author  of  the  hymn  ''Shall  I 
Wait?"  which  was  set  to  music  by  Professor  J.  R.  Sweeney. 

On  October  14,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Martha  Anna  Wilson,  at 
Fairfield  Center,  Lycoming  County,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1883,  Virginia  Conference, 
Vienna;  1884-85,  Fairdale ;  1886,  Oakland;  1887,  Union  Center; 
1888-90,  Lake  Como;  1891,  Thompson;  1892-94,  Yatesville;  1895, 
Wanamie;  1896-97,  Rendham,  Stewart  Memorial;  1898-1901, 
Mountain  Top ;  1902-03,  Yatesville. 


326 


Wyoming  Conference 


Galpin,  Stephen  D.,  was  born  on  May  25,  1850,  in  Fairfield, 
Tioga  County,  N.  Y.   He  attended  the  academy  at  Candor,  N.  Y., 
and  also  the  North  Missouri  State  Normal 
School,  and  taught  school  several  years. 

He  was  converted  in  the  winter  of 
1869-70  during  a  revival  which  was  held 
in  the  Fairfield  schoolhouse,  a  short  dis- 
tance from  Candor  Village,  and  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  George  Cressen.  Soon 
after  his  conversion  he  joined  the  Baptist 
church,  and  eight  years  after  his  conver- 
sion the  Baptist  church  in  Fairfield 
licensed  him  to  preach.  In  1884  he  joined 
the  Candor  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  in  1885  joined  the  Conference. 

On  March  22,  1878,  he  married  Miss 
STEPHEN  D.  GALPIN       Katc  Mcriclc,  of  Candor,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows  :  1885- 
86,  North  Tioga;  1887-89,  Litchfield;  1890-92,  Harford,  N.  Y. ; 
1893,  Willet;  1894,  South  Danby;  1895-97,  sy. ;  1898,  South 
Danby;  1899-1900,  Flemingville ;  1901-03,  Danby. 

GiBBS,  Frank  F.,  was  born  on  July  5,  1870,  at  Maple  wood, 
Wayne  County,  Pa.  His  conversion  occurred  at  Salem  Camp 
Ground  in  August,  1883.  In  the  following  September  he  joined 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  Hol- 
listerville.  Pa.  In  1886  he  united  with 
the  T^Iethodist  Episcopal  Church  at 
Maplewood  by  letter.  He  moved  to 
Scranton  in  1887,  where  he  attended  the 
High  School  two  years,  and  subsequently 
graduated  from  the  Scranton  Business 
College.  On  May  27,  1895,  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  Lackawanna  County, 
and  in  January,  1898,  to  the  Superior 
Court  of  Pennsylvania. 

On  September  16,  1897,  he  married 
Miss  Clara  L.  Conrad,  of  Scranton,  Pa. 

Elm  Park  Church,  of  Scranton,  gave 
him  local  preacher's  license  on  January        frank  f.  gibes 
28,  1902,  and  in  April  following  he  was 

sent  as  supply  to  the  Gouldsboro  charge.  In  1903  he  united  with 
the  Conference,  and  was  stationed  at  Bethany. 


Living  Preachers 


327 


GiFFiN,  Charles  M.,  D.D.,  was  born  near  Cincinnati,  O.  He 
was  converted  in  Christie  Chapel,  Cincinnati,  and  Hccnsed  to 
preach  at  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  attended  the  pubhc  schools  of 
Cincinnati,  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  Law 
Department  of  Cincinnati  College  (now 
known  as  McMicken  University),  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Cincinnati  bar.  He 
began  his  ministry  when  nineteen  years 
of  age. 

On  January  14,  1869,  he  married  Miss 
Belle  Lampley,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  They 
have  three  sons,  one  in  business,  and 
two  are  members  of  New  York  East 
Conference,  namely,  Mortimer  P.  and 
William  G. 

Wesleyan   gave   him  the   degree  of 
A.M.,  and  in  1884  Dickinson  honored 
him  with  D.D.    He  was  editor  of  the      charles  m.  giffin 
Independent  Methodist,  published  in  Bal- 
timore, four  years.    He  was  a  delegate  to  the  first  and  third 
Ecumenical  Conferences  of  Methodism,  and  a  speaker  at  the  first. 
He  is  now  (1902)  under  appointment  as  fraternal  messenger  to 
the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1862-63,  Mainville  Circuit, 
Cincinnati  Conference;  1864,  Mear's  Chapel,  Cincinnati;  1865-66, 
Mount  Washington,  Cincinnati  Conference;  1867,  sy. ;  New  York 
East  Conference,  1868-69,  Seventh  Avenue,  Brooklyn;  1870-72, 
New  Haven,  Conn.;  1873-75,  Nostrand  Avenue,  Brooklyn;  1876, 
First  Place,  Brooklyn;  1877-85,  St.  John's  Independent  Methodist 
Church,  Baltimore ;  1885-88,  Kentucky  Conference,  Union 
Church,  Covington;  1889-93,  New  York  East  Conference,  Grace 
Church,  Brooklyn;  1894-95,  First  Church,  Mount  Vernon, 
N.  Y. ;  1896-1903,  Wyoming  Conference,  Elm  Park  Church, 
Scranton. 

Gill,  Richard  C,  was  born  in  Barnsley,  Yorkshire,  England, 
on  November  14,  1841.  He  was  converted  when  between  thirteen 
and  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  at  once  united  with  the  Wesleyan 
Methodist  Church.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1869,  and  had 
been  a  local  preacher  in  England  between  four  and  five  years. 
He  was  educated  in  the  Wesleyan  day  school.  In  1871  he  joined 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Starrucca,  and  in  1874  united 
with  the  Conference. 


Wyoming 


Conference 


In  1862  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Temperton,  of  Barnsley, 
England,  who  died  at  McClure,  N.  Y.,  on  October  26,  1889. 

In  September,  1891,  a  shock  of  paralysis  brought  his  lifework 
ill  the  pulpit  to'a  close.  Since  this  time  he  has  lived  in  Worcester, 
N.  Y.   In  1902  he  visited  the  scenes  of  his  childhood. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1874-75,  Beach  Lake;  1876- 
77,  Lehman;  1878-80,  Stoddartsville ;  1881-83,  Decatur;  1884-86, 
Hart  wick;  1887-89,  McClure ;  1890-91,  East  Worcester;  1892- 
1903,  sd. 

GoDSHALL,  MosES  S.,  Ph.D.,  was  born  on  November  27,  1862, 
near  Souderton,  in  Franconia  township,  Montgomery  County,  Pa. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  but  seven  years  old.    His  mother 

being  left  in  straitened  circumstances, 
he  was  compelled  to  leave  home.  He 
found  work  on  a  farm,  attending  school 
but  three  months  in  the  year.  At  seven- 
teen years  of  age  he  attended  the  Sellers- 
ville  High  School  one  term,  and  then 
taught  common  school.  He  again  en- 
tered the  Sellersville  school  and  gradu- 
ated from  it.  He  taught  school,  after 
leaving  the  Sellersville  school,  about  eight 
years,  during  four  of  which  he  held  a 
"professional  certificate,"  granted  by  the 
State  Board  of  Examiners.  During  the 
last  two  years  of  his  work  as  teacher, 
MOSES  s.  GODSHALL  from  1 886  to  1888,  he  studied  theology 
under  the  tutorship  of  Rev.  L.  C.  Sheip, 
A.M.,  pastor  of  the  German  Reformed  Church  at  Doylestown,  Pa. 
Since  entering  the  ministry  he  has  studied  with  Illinois  Wesleyan 
University,  receiving  the  degree  of  Ph.B.  from  it  in  1896.  From 
Taylor  University  he  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  in  1900,  and 
that  of  Ph.D.  in  1901. 

He  united  with  the  German  Reformed  Church  in  1883,  w^ithout 
experiencing  a  change  of  heart.  This  came  to  him  in  the  winter 
of  1886,  at  Lahaska,  Pa.,  on  the  Lahaska  and  Lumberville  charge. 
Shortly  after  this  he  joined  the  Lahaska  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  by  letter  from  the  German  Reformed  Church.  When  but 
a  child  he  felt  a  call  to  the  ministry,  and  his  conversion  made  it 
clear  and  decided.  In  March,  1886,  he  received  exhorter's  license 
from  Lahaska  church,  and  in  May  of  the  same  year  local  preach- 
er's license.   After  serving  one  year  as  supply  in  the  Philadelphia 


Living  Preachers 


329 


Conference  and  one  year  in  the  Wyoming  he  joined  us  in  the 
spring  of  1890,  receiving  deacon's  orders  at  the  same  session  of 
Conference. 

On  December  31,  1882,  he  married  Miss  Amanda  Shelly,  of 
Sellersville,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1890,  New  Berlin;  1891- 
92,  Lisle;  1893-96,  Guilford;  1897-98,  Windsor;  1899-1903, 
Waverly,  Pa. 

Goodrich,  John  N.,  Ph.D.,  was  born  on  October  13,  1861,  in 
Orwell,  Vt.  He  was  educated  at  Troy  Conference  Academy,  at 
Poultney,  Vt.,  and  the  National  University  of  Illinois,  from  which 
institution  he  received  the  degrees  of 
Ph.B.  and  Ph.D. 

He  was  converted  at  the  old  home- 
stead, a  farm  in  Vermont,  when  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  and  began  work  as  a 
local  preacher  the  same  year.  In  1890  he 
joined  the  Troy  Conference.  Some  time 
after  receiving  elder's  orders  he  united 
with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 
In  1903  he  united  with  this  Conference, 
being  received  on  his  credentials,  and  sta- 
tioned at  Endicott. 

In  the  spring  of  1890  he  married  Miss 
Ida  Belle  Parker,  daughter  of  Rev.  N.  C. 
Parker,  of  the  Troy  Conference.  john  n.  Goodrich 

• 

Granger,  Gordon  L.,  was  born  on  September  2,  1876,  at 
Lamont,  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.  When  about  two  years  of  age 
his  family  moved  to  Alleghany  County.  He  attended  the  Belfast 
High  School  some  time. 

His  heart  was  inclined  to  the  Lord  so  early  in  life  that  he  cannot 
recall  the  time  of  conversion.  His  activity  in  Epworth  League 
work  developed  his  gifts  and  made  manifest  his  call  to  the  min- 
istry. The  Olean  District  Conference  of  the  Genesee  Conference 
gave  him  local  preacher's  license  on  September  19,  1897.  In  the 
fall  of  1898  he  went  to  South  Dakota,  where  he  was  sent  as  supply 
to  Blunt.  In  the  fall  of  1899  ^e  went  to  Garrett  Biblical  Institute, 
where  he  remained  the  larger  portion  of  the  school  year.  The 
following  year  he  supplied  Colman  charge,  and  in  1901  joined  the 
Dakota  Conference.    In  June, '1902,  he  was  transferred  to  this 


330 


Wyoming  Conference 


Conference,  being  on  trial  and  in  the  studies  of  the  first  year,  and 
stationed  at  Tioga  Center. 

On  November  24,  1897,  he  married  Miss  Ida  Hanegan,  at 
Belmont,  N.  Y. 

Greene,  Hiram  Ashley,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Greenfield, 
Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.,  on  April  29,  1861.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  received  in  the  common  schools  of  Saratoga  Springs. 

One  winter  he  went  to  Washington 
County,  where  he  worked  for  his  board 
and  went  to  school.  After  his  conver- 
sion and  just  before  entering  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  work  he 
spent  two  years  at  Mount  Hermon 
School,  near  Northfield,  Mass.  He  paid 
his  way  here  by  picking  stone  about  the 
buildings,  cutting  cord  wood,  and  doing 
any  other  work  he  could  get  to  do.  In 
1886  he  became  secretary  of  the  newly 
organized  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation at  Norwich,  N.  Y.,  where  he  la- 
bored two  years,  when  he  became  secre- 
HiRAM  ASHLEY  GREENE  tary  of  thc  railroad  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 
Here  he  stayed  two  years  and  entered  Conference  in  1890. 

When  about  twenty-one  years  old,  and  while  living  in  Sara- 
toga, after  the  loss  of  a  brother  and  sister,  and  while  in  bed  with 
the  same  disease  which  had  carried  them  away,  diphtheria,  he 
was  converted,  'learned  to  look  up."  Shortly  after  recovery  he 
availed  himself  of  the  first  opportunity,  which  was  in  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  to  publicly  confess  Christ.  He  was  board- 
ing with  a  Baptist  family  at  the  time,  which,  together  with  the 
fact  that  his  associates  were  largely  in  the  Baptist  Church,  led 
him  to  join  the  Baptist  Church.  The  call  to  the  ministry  came  to 
him  while  in  Binghamton.  Circumstances  made  it  desirable  for 
him  to  join  the  Methodist  Church,  of  which  his  wife  had  been  a 
member  a  long  time.  Accordingly,  they  both  joined  the  Che- 
nango Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  by  letter.  Here  he 
received  exhorter's  license  and  later  local  preacher's  license. 

On  December  27,  1886,  he  married  Miss  Mattie  O.  Phillips,  of 
Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  who  died  on  September  27,  1891,  at  Osborne 
Hollow,  N.  Y.  In  November,  1892,  he  married  Miss  Ella  S. 
Fohnsbee,  of  Troy,  N.  Y. 


Living  Preachers 


331 


He  has  published  several  Harvest  Home  programs,  which  have 
been  successfully  used  by  a  number  of  our  preachers. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1890,  Harford;  1891-92,  Os- 
borne Hollow  and  Port  Crane;  1893,  Sanitaria  Springs;  1894-97, 
Hartwick  and  Mount  Vision;  1898-99,  Worcester;  1900,  Con- 
ference Evangelist;  1901,  Lackawanna;  1902-03,  Courtdale  and 
Larksville. 

Griffin,  Austin,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Westford,  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  February  i,  1836.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  Laurel  Bank  Seminary,  of  De- 
posit, N.  Y.  He  became  a  Christian 
when  eight  years  of  age.  Subsequently 
he  became  a  thoughtless  society  youth. 
However,  he  was  restrained  from  overt 
and  ''outbreaking"  sin  by  grace  which 
never  left  him.  In  January,  1857,  he 
made  a  public  profession  of  religion,  and 
was  held  by  home  influences  in  sym- 
pathy with  the   Baptist  Church  until 

1859,  when  he  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  East  Worcester, 
N.  Y.  He  held  a  local  preacher's  license 
about  three  weeks,  when  he  joined  the 
Oneida   Conference   in   the   spring  of 

1860,  and  became  a  member  of  this 
Conference  in  1869  by  the  coming  of 
Otsego  and  Chenango  Districts  into  our  Conference. 

On  February  i,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rosalia  O.  La 
Morne,  of  East  Worcester,  N.  Y.  They  have  one  child,  a  son, 
A.  L.  Griffin,  who  now  lives  in  Green  Ridge,  Scranton. 

Syracuse  University  conferred  the  degree  of  D.D.  upon  him. 

He  has  represented  his  Conference  as  a  delegate  in  General 
Conference  four  times,  1884,  1892,  1896,  and  1900. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1860-61,  Schuyler's  Lake; 
1862-63,  Laurens;  1864-65,  Otsego;  1866-68,  Hartwick;  1869, 
Milford;  1870-71,  Oneonta;  1872-74,  Carbondale;  1875-77,  Cente- 
nary Church,  Binghamton;  1878-80,  West  Pittston ;  1881-84,  Pre- 
siding Elder  of  Wyoming  District;  1885-86,  Kingston;  1887-90, 
Central,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1891-93,  Tabernacle,  Binghamton;  1894- 
96,  Financial  Agent  Preachers'  Aid  Society;  1897-98,  Presiding 
Elder  of  Oneonta  District;  1898-1903,  Presiding  Elder  of  Wyo- 
ming District. 


332 


Wyoming  Conference 


GoRissE,  Gust  AVE,  was  born  on  June  i6,  i860,  at  Belford, 
in  the  department  of  Haut-Rhin,  France.     With  his  parents 

he  came  to  the  United  States  when 
about  seven  years  of  age.  He  was  con- 
verted in  Amsterdam,  N.  Y.,  in  1888  in 
a  revival  which  was  held  in  the  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  at  once 
joined  the  Church.  He  attended  the 
public  schools,  Rutgers  College  Prepara- 
tory School,  Pennington  Seminary,  and 
is  a  graduate  of  the  English  course  in 
Drew  Theological  Seminary. 

He  married  Miss  Anna  Brindley,  of 
Rahway,  Union  County,  N.  J.,  on  April 
13,  1882. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in 
1898,  and  his  pastorates  have  been  as  fol- 
GusTAVE  GORISSE        Iqws  :  1898-1900,  Rush  ;  1901-03,  Gibson. 

Hall,  Truman  F.,  D.D.,  was  born  on  February  27,  1854,  in, 
the  town  of  Butternuts,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  spent  the 
first  ten  years  of  his  life,  when  the  family  moved  to  Delaware 
County,  N.  Y.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  left  home  for  advanced  education.  He 
attended  Cazenovia  Seminary  some  time, 
but  did  not  graduate  on  account  of  se- 
rious trouble  with  his  eyes.  He  subse- 
quently attended  school  in  a  broken  wav, 
as  opportunity  presented,  with  occasional 
terms  of  teaching.  In  1876  he  joined  the 
Conference. 

On  October  6,  1875,  he  married  ^liss 
Alice  A.  Welch,  of  Bainbridge,  N.  Y. 
One  child,  a  son,  has  been  born  to  them. 

In  1901  Bennett  College,  of  Greens- 
boro, N.  C,  conferred  the  degree  of  D.D. 
upon  him.  truman  f.  hall 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows : 
1876-77,  Exeter  and  Schuyler's  Lake;  1878,  Westville ;  1879-80, 
Middlefield;  1881-83,  Westford  ;  1884,  Gilbertsville  and  Morris; 
1885-87,  Otego;  1888-90,  Cooperstown;  1891-94,  Bainbridge; 
1895-98,  High  Street,  Binghamton ;  1898-1903,  Presiding  Elder 
of  Oneonta  District. 


Living  Preachers 


333 


Harding,  Addison  F.,  was  born  on  May  25,  1823,  in  Gib- 
son, Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  Soon  after  his  birth  the  family 
moved  to  Glenham,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  and  about  1831  his 
father  purchased  a  farm  in  Harford, 
Pa.,  where  he  moved  his  family.  The 
family  lived  here  until  1836,  when  they 
moved  to  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  where  the 
parents  continued  to  reside  until  death. 
There  were  eight  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters in  the  family,  all  but  one  son  grow- 
ing to  maturity.  One  brother,  Lowell, 
became  a  minister,  and  has  manifested 
his  love  for  Methodism  in  many  ways 
since  residing  in  Binghamton. 

He  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  the  places  where  he  re- 
sided, and  spent  some  time  in  a  select 
school  in  Binghamton,  and  also  in  the      addison  f.  harding 
academy  of  the  same  place. 

He  was  converted  on  February  26,  1840,  in  the  old  Henry 
Street  Church.  As  he  began  to  testify  and  pray  he  felt  a  desire 
for  larger  sphere  and  opportunity  to  use  his  talents.  He  went 
into  the  neighborhood,  near  Binghamton  and  successfully  held 
services,  assuredly  gathering,  as  he  did  so,  the  conviction  that 
the  ministry  should  be  his  lifework.  In  1841  W.  N.  Pearne,  his 
pastor,  gave  him  an  exhorter's  license.  In  May,  1842,  he  was 
given  a  local  preacher's  license,  and  in  1852-53  served  Union 
charge  as  supply,  joining  the  Conference  in  1854. 

On  January  i,  1843,  he  married  Miss  Mary  R.  Wentz,  of  Bing- 
hamton, N.  Y.,  who  died  on  August  22,  1879.  On  March  3, 
1880,  he  married  Miss  Olive  R.  Cobb,  of  Stevensville,  Pa. 

Since  retiring  from  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  he  has  re- 
sided at  Great  Bend,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1854-55,  Conkling;  1856- 
57,  Windsor;  1858,  Lisle;  1859-60,  Page  Brook;  1861,  Union; 
1862,  Springville;  1863-65,  Rome;  1866,  Wyalusing;  1867-68, 
Great  Bend;  1869,  Hawleyton;  1870-71,  Barton;  1872-73,  Lanes- 
boro;  1874-75,  Westville;  1876,  sd. ;  1877,  Hale's  Eddy;  1878, 
Masonville;  1879,  Harpursville ;  1880,  Rush;  1881-83,  Fairdale; 
1884-5,  Cho.conut  Center;  1886-87,  Edmeston;  1888-1903,  sd. 

Hanton,  Benjamin  R.,  was  born  on  April  6,  1866,  at  Reed- 
ham,  Norfolk  County,  England.    He  was  educated  in  the  public 


334 


Wyoming  Conference 


schools  and  Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  studied  the  Enghsh 

branches  and  took  part  of  the  Literary- 
Scientific  Course. 

He  was  converted  on  January  ii, 
1882,  in  the  chapel  of  the  Primitive 
Methodist  Church  in  Reedham,  and 
joined  the  Church  at  once.  Three 
months  after  conversion  the  church  li- 
censed him  as  exhorter,  and  six  months 
later  gave  him  local  preacher's  license. 
While  in  England  he  was  a  groom  and 
gardener.  In  March,  1889,  he  came 
to  America,  and,  settling  in  Scranton, 
joined  the  Hampton  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  On  May  15,  1889, 
this  church  gave  him  a  local  preacher's 
license.  He  supplied  Glen  Lyon  in 
1895-96,  and  in  1897  was  ordained  deacon  and  sent  as  supply  to 
Lackawaxen.    He  joined  Conference  in  1898. 

On  July  8,  1897,  he  married  Miss  Anna  Bella  Jurisch,  of  Sus- 
quehanna, Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1898,  Lackawaxen ;  i< 
1903,  Wallsville. 


BENJAMIN  R.  HANTON 


Harned,  Henderson  G.,  was  born  on  August  i,  1839,  in  Ross 
township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  within  the  bounds  of  Maple 
Grove  Circuit.  When  five  years  old  his  mother  died,  and  he 
was  sent  to  live  with  an  uncle,  where 
he  did  such  work  as  he  was  able  to  do 
until  fifteen  years  old,  when  the  death 
of  his  uncle  again  made  him  homeless. 
For  about  two  years  he  worked  by  the 
month  as  a  farm  hand  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  his  former  home,  when  he 
went  to  Illinois  for  better  wages.  While 
here  he  attended  a  camp  meeting  at 
Walnut  Grove,  Mason  County,  as  the 
guest  of  his  uncle,  Levi  Benscoter,  who 
married  his  father's  sister.  During  the 
camp  meeting,  which  was  conducted  by 
Peter  Cartwright,  he  was  converted. 
His  conversion  was  on  September  i, 
1856,  and  on  the    3d  of  the  month    henderson  g.  harned 


Living  Preachers 


335 


he  joined  the  Church.  Shortly  after  conversion  he  felt  im- 
pressed with  the  thought  that  he  ought  to  preach.  He  ac- 
cordingly returned  East  for  the  purpose  of  attending  school 
and  preparing  for  the  ministry.  He  attended  select  schools, 
a  normal  school  and  academy  at  New  Columbus,  Pa.,  and 
Wyoming  Seminary  for  a  time.  During  his  school  days  he 
worked  his  way  by  working  summers  and  attending  school 
winters,  renting  a  room  and  boarding  himself.  During  a  period 
of  about  five  years  he  taught  school.  In  1862  his  pastor,  Rev. 
W.  H.  Gavitt,  gave  him  an  exhorter's  license.  Subsequently  he 
went  back  to  Illinois,  and  in  1864  he  received  local  preacher's 
license  from  the  church  in  Mason  City,  where  he  was  teaching 
school.  In  1866  he  joined  the  Illinois  Conference.  A  malarial 
climate  caused  him  to  transfer  to  Wyoming  Conference.  He 
came  as  a  probationer,  and  in  1869  was  received  into  full  mem- 
bership in  the  Conference.  He  has  done  effective  work  as  agent 
for  the  American  Bible  Society  at  different  times. 

On  October  12,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Abby  A.  Carter,  of 
Auburn,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  who  died  at  Carverton,  Pa., 
on  July  28,  1888.  There  were  born  to  them  three  sons  and  four 
daughters ;  three  of  the  daughters  only  lived  to  maturity.  About 
1893  the  three  daughters  were  living  in  Kingston,  housekeeping, 
engaged  in  educational  and  other  work.  An  explosion  of  gaso- 
line burned  two  of  them  unto  death,  Anna  living  three  hours 
and  Lena  nine  days.  One  of  the  daughters  who  died  was  the 
widow  of  Volney  A.  Bailey,  who  became  a  minister  and  died  at 
Castle  Creek,  N.  Y.,  while  pastor  there.  Hattie  became  the  wife 
of  J.  W.  McGuire,  M.D.,  and  now  lives  in  Chicago.  In  March, 
1889,  he  married  Mrs.  Amy  A.  Lewis,  of  Newton,  Pa.  One 
child  has  been  born  to  them,  John  Nelson,  who  lived  to  be  two 
years  and  two  months  old. 

During  the  war  he  left  his  work  and  offered  himself  at  a  re- 
cruiting office,  but  was  not  accepted ;  enough  had  enlisted  at  that 
time.  He  was  subsequently  drafted  twice,  but  home  engage- 
ments prevented  his  going ;  he  was  exempted  once,  and  the  other 
time  furnished  a  substitute. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1866,  Illinois  Conference, 
Middletown;  1867,  Meredosia;  Wyoming  Conference,  1868, 
Hawley;  1869-70,  Sterling;  1871,  Canaan;  1872,  Agent  Wayne 
County  (Pa.)  Bible  Society;  1873,  Harford  and  South  Gibson; 
1874-76,  Springville;  1877-78,  Sidney  Plains;  1879-80,  Fly 
Creek;  1881-83,  Hartwick;  1884-85,  Newton;  1886-87,  Meshop- 
pen;  1888-89,  Carverton;  1890-91,  Parsons;  1892-93,  Damascus; 


336 


Wyoming  Conference 


1894-96,  Salem;  1897,  Uniondale;  1898-1900,  Agent  Bible  So- 
ciety; 1901-02,  Maple  Grove;  1903,  Agent  Bible  Society. 

Harroun,  Thomas^  was  born  on  June  26,  1825,  in  Salina, 
now  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  He  says  he  received  his  education  at  Baker 
schoolhouse.    At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was  converted  at  South 

Onondaga,  N.  Y.,  and  soon  after  con- 
version felt  called  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
with  which  conviction  he  battled  several 
years.  At  last  a  series  of  providential 
events  so  aroused  him  as  to  compel  obe- 
dience. In  1850  he  was  given  a  local 
preacher's  license,  and  shortly  after,  a  va- 
cancy occurring  on  Onondaga  Circuit  by 
the  illness  of  the  pastor,  he  was  sent  as 
supply  to  the  circuit.  The  year  follow- 
ing he  was  employed  as  supply  on  the 
same  circuit.  In  1852  he  joined  the 
Oneida  Conference,  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  this  Conference  by  the  allotment 
THOMAS  HARRouN        of  Oncida  territory. 

On  August  22,  1847,  he  married  Miss 
Salina  A.  King,  who  died  at  Whitney's  Point  on  March  20,  1903. 
Two  sons  and  a  daughter  were  born  to  them. 

He  was  elected  a  delegate  to  General  Conference  in  1892. 
His  record  has  been  phenomenal — a  ministry  of  half  a  cen- 
tury without  a  vacation,  and  missing  no  appointments  on  account 
of  sickness.  At  the  session  of  Conference  held  in  Waverly, 
N.  Y.,  in  1902,  he  preached  a  semicentennial  sermon  by  request 
of  the  Conference.  He  took  for  his  text  this  clause,  from  Exod. 
xiv,  15:  ''Speak  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  that  they  go  for- 
ward." The  sermon  was  unique,  practical,  full  of  the  accreted 
wisdom  of  a  long  life,  original.  At  its  close  the  Conference  gave 
him  a  Chautauqua  salute  and  subsequently  presented  him  with 
a  purse  of  $100. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1852,  Lenox;  1853,  Nelson; 
1854-55,  Fabius;  1856-57,  Marcellus;  1858-59,  Stockbridge; 
1860-61,  Fabius;  1862,  Utica;  1863-65,  Ithaca;  1866-68,  Nor- 
wich ;  1869-72,  Presiding  Elder  of  Chenango  District ;  1873-75, 
Pittston;  1876-78,  Main  Street,  Binghamton ;  1879-81,  Hones- 
dale;  1882-84,  Montrose;  1885-87,  Factoryville ;  1888-93, 
siding  Elder  of  Binghamton  District;  1894-96,  Sayre;  1897, 
Greene;  1898-1901,  Sherburne;  1902-03,  Whitney's  Point. 


Living  Preachers 


337 


Hartsock,  Frank  D.,  was  born  on  September  28,  1865,  at 
Buffalo  Run,  Center  County,  Pa.  The  same  year  his  parents 
moved  to  Warrior's  Mark,  Huntingdon  County,  Pa.,  where  his 
father  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  farm  implements  for  thirteen 
years,  when  the  family  returned  to 
Buffalo  Run. 

He  was  converted  March  5,  1887,  at 
Gray's  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
united  with  that  church  the  same  even- 
ing. Soon  after  being  received  into  full 
membership  he  united  with  Pine  Street 
Church  of  Williamsport  by  letter,  and  by 
this  church  was  given  a  local  preacher's 
license  on  May  12,  1888. 

After  leaving  the  public  school  he 
spent  two  years  at  Spring  Mills  Normal, 
taught  school  two  winters  in  Center 
County,  Pa.,  entered  Williamsport  Dick- 
inson Seminary  in  1887,  and  graduated  frank  d.  hartsock 
in  1890  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 

Science.  In  the  fall  of  1890  he  entered  Drew  Theological  Semi- 
nary, where  he  took  a  special  course.  His  schooling  is  largely  the 
work  of  his  own  industry  and  perseverance. 

He  served  Harford,  Pa.,  one  year  as  supply,  after  which  he 
joined  the  Conference  in  1892,  receiving  deacon's  orders  at  the 
same  session  of  Conference. 

On  June  30,  1893,  he  married  Miss  Ruth  Gray,  of  Buffalo  Run, 
Pa.   Two  sons  have  been  born  to  them. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1892-93,  Harford,  Pa. ;  1894- 
95,  Edmeston;  1896-98,  Marathon;  1899-1900,  Plains;  1901-03, 
Mount  Upton. 

Hawley,  Nelson  J.,  was  born  on  September  14,  1841,  in 
Brooklyn,  Pa.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools, 
New  Milford  Graded  School,  Harford  Academy,  and  Wyoming 
Seminary. 

While  but  a  boy  he  was  deeply  impressed  concerning  his  duty 
to  preach,  and  often  when  in  the  woods,  and  especially  when 
gathering  sap  in  the  sugar  bush,  he  would  preach  his  boy  sermons 
to  the  great  maples,  calling  them  great  sinners  and  exhorting 
them  to  do  better  in  giving  more  and  sweeter  sap. 

His  plans  for  education  were  seriously  interrupted  in  1862,  as 
he  went  to  the  army  and  served  nearly  three  years,  being  pro- 
22 


338 


Wyoming  Conference 


moted  from  a  private  to  captain  in  Company  F,  141st  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers. 

In  1868  he  was  licensed  as  exhorter 
and  local  preacher.  In  1870  he  joined 
the  Conference,  becoming  deacon  in 
1873  and  elder  in  1875. 

Failing  health  compelled  him  m  1886 
to  seek  a  milder  climate,  and  during  the 
ensuing  nine  years  he  labored  in  Florida, 
in  the  St.  John's  River  Conference, 
transferring  back  to  this  Conference  in 

1895. 

In  1865  he  married  ^liss  Hattie  M. 
Tiffany,  of  Lenox,  Pa.    Several  daugh- 
ters and  a  son  have  been  born  to  them. 
NELSON  J.  HAWLEY       Thc  son  is  now  preparing  for  the  min- 
istry. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1870-72,  Plainsville;  1873- 
75,  North  Abington;  1876-77,  New  Berlin;  1878-79,  Afton;  1880, 
Lackawanna;  1881-83,  sy. ;  1884,  Harpursville ;  1885,  Harpurs- 
ville  and  Nineveh;  1886-89,  sy. ;  1889-95,  in  Florida;  1895, 
Trucksville;  1896,  Shavertown ;  1897-99,  Askam;  1900-03,  sd. 

Hayes,  Addisox  Wilbur,  D.D.,  was  born  on  December  13, 
1850,  at  Penfield,  O.  He  prepared  for  college  at  Oberlin  and 
Berea,  O.,  and  graduated  from  Baldwin  University  in  1875,  hav- 
ing pursued  the  classical  course  of  study. 
He  studied  two  years  in  the  Oberlin  The- 
ological Seminary,  and  graduated  from 
the  Boston  Theological  Seminary  in 
1878.  Subsequent  to  his  entering  the 
ministry  Baldwin  University  conferred 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  upon 
him. 

He  felt  called  to  the  ministry  when  but 
eight  years  old.  Conversion  occurred 
w^hile  he  was  attending  college.  His  li- 
cense to  preach  was  given  him  at  Berea 
in  1872.  During  his  sophomore,  junior, 
and  senior  years  in  college  he  preached 
at  Wakeman,  O. ;  during  his  two  years  addison  w.  hayes 
at  Oberlin  he  preached  at  Pittsfield,  O., 

and  during  his  year  at  Boston  he  preached  at  Falmouth,  Mass. 


Living  Preachers 


339 


In  1878  he  joined  Genesee  Conference,  receiving  deacon's  or- 
ders at  the  same  session  of  Conference,  and  became  a  member  of 
this  Conference  by  transfer  in  1899. 

He  married  Miss  JuHa  EHzabeth  Brooker  in  Ohio  in  1873. 

He  was  treasurer  of  the  Minard  Fund  for  Widows  and  Or- 
phans in  the  Genesee  Conference,  and  was  also  a  trustee  of  Lima 
Seminary.  He  has  pubHshed  several  addresses  and  Plans  for 
Bible  Study.  It  is  solely  due  to  his  energy  that  the  Church  has 
become  acquainted  with  the  fact  that  Rev.  Joseph  Hartwell  was 
the  originator  of  Church  Extension  work  in  our  denomination. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  Genesee  Conference,  1878- 
80,  Oakfield;  1881,  Kendall;  1882-84,  Honeoye  Falls;  1885-89, 
Cornhill,  Rochester;  1890-94,  Plymouth,  Buffalo;  1895-98,  As- 
bury,  Rochester;  Wyoming  Conference,  1899-1903,  Tabernacle, 
Binghamton. 

Hayes,  Charles  Henry,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Guilford, 
Chenango  County,  N.  Y.  He  attended  school  at  Cazenovia  Sem- 
inary, Madison  University,  and  graduated  from  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary in  1878. 

He  was  converted  in  the  Union  Church 
on  Mount  Upton  charge  in  February, 
1875,  and  was  given  exhorter's  license  in 
the  following  April  by  the  pastor  of 
Mount  Upton.  In  March,  1876,  he  was 
given  local  preacher's  license  by  the 
Chenango  District  Conference.  Some 
time  before  conversion  he  felt  that  God 
desired  him  in  the  ministry.  He  has  a 
brother,  L.  C,  who  was  in  the  ministry 
for  a  while  and  who  subsequently  made  a 
fine  record  as  school  commissioner  in 
Chenango  County. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1878.  charles  henry  ha  yes 

On  October  3,  1883,  he  married  Miss 
Mattie  Dickinson,  of  Windsor,  N.  Y.   Two  sons,  William  H.  and 
Walter  D.,  have  been  born  to  them. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1878-80,  Ouaquaga;  1881, 
Union;  1882-84,  Sidney  Center;  1885-87,  Unadilla;  1888-91, 
Otego;  1892,  Hampton  Street,  Scranton;  1893-94,  Union;  1895, 
sy. ;  1896,  April  1-9,  Presiding  Elder  of  Binghamton  District; 
1896-97,  Dunmore;  1898-1903,  Presiding  Elder  of  Chenango 
District. 


340 


Wyoming  Conference 


Hill,  William  James,  D.D.,  was  born  on  May  12,  1843, 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil.    His  parents  were  English,  living  in 
Brazil  at  the  time,  but  returned  to  England  about  two  years  after 

his  birth.  He  was  educated  in.  the  public 
schools  and  attended  Bourne's  College, 
at  York,  Yorkshire,  England,  about  two 
years.  He  was  brought  up  in  the  Wes- 
leyan  Methodist  Church,  and  was  con- 
verted when  fourteen  years  old,  becom- 
ing a  member  of  the  Church  soon 
after. 

When  seventeen  he  received  a  local 
preacher's  license   from  the  Wesleyan 
Church.    From  1865  until  joining  the 
Methodist   Episcopal    Church   he  was 
identified  with  the  Primitive  Methodist 
Church.  He  served  the  following  charges 
WILLIAM  JAMES  HILL      bcforc  couiiug  to  this  country  in  1869: 
1862-63,  Loughborough,  Leicestershire, 
England;  1864-65,  Liskard,  England;  1866-67,  Pembroke,  South 
Wales. 

On  December  23,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Sowden. 
Six  children  have  been  born  to  them — Bessie,  Joseph  E.,  Samuel, 
George  Wesley,  William  H.,  and  James  Bowman. 

On  arriving  in  this  country  he  settled  in  Jermyn,  where  some  of 
his  family  had  already  located,  and  remained  in  this  town  two 
years,  during  which  time  he  was  active  in  organizing  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  He  was  one  of  the  twelve  constituent 
members,  and  also  a  member  of  the  building  committee. 

During  1871-72  he  supplied  Forty  Fort,  and  in  1873  joined  the 
Conference.  He  received  deacon's  orders  in  1872  and  elder's 
orders  in  1877. 

In  1 89 1  he  received  the  degree  of  M.A.  from  Northwestern 
University,  and  in  1900  Livingstone  College,  of  Salisbury,  S.  C, 
conferred  the  degree  of  D.D.  upon  him. 

He  has  served  the  following  charges:  1873-75,  Plains;  1876-78, 
Peckville;  1879-80,  North  Abington ;  1881-83,  Nanticoke;  1884- 
86,  Tunkhannock;  1887-90,  Pittston;  1891-93,  Chenango  Street, 
Binghamton;  1894-96,  Lestershire;  1897-98,  Sidney;  1899-1903, 
Derr  Memorial,  Wilkes-Barre. 

Henry,  Clinton  Brooks,  was  born  on  May  26,  1864,  at  White 
Haven,  Pa.    He  attended  the  White  Haven  High  School,  and  is 


Living  Preachers 


341 


a  graduate  of  Wyoming  Seminary  and  of  Drew  Theological 
Seminary,  class  of  1895. 

He  was  converted  at  Tunkhannock  in 
the  spring  of  1886.  When  in  Wilkes- 
Barre,  where  he  was  working  at  the 
printer's  trade,  he  felt  called  by  God  to 
his  work,  and  especially  to  the  foreign 
mission  field.  In  1,888  he  was  granted 
local  preacher's  license  by  the  Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

A  part  of  the  year  1892  he  was  general 
secretary  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  at  Kingston,  Pa.  Nearly 
three  years  he  worked  in  New  York  city 
missions  as  assistant  pastor  of  the  Allen 
Street  Memorial  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  of  the  Cornell  Memorial 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1895,  having  received  deacon's 
orders  in  1893. 

On  May  29,  1895,  he  married  Miss  Valara  Emma  Edwards. 
His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1895-99,  Alderson;  1900-02, 
Taylor ;  1903,  Luzerne. 


CLINTON  B.  HENRY 


HiLLER,  Will  H.,  was  born  on  November  20,  1854,  in  Bing- 
liamton,  N.  Y.  He  is  the  son  of  Rev.  Fred  L.  Hiller,  who  was  an 
honored  member  of  this  Conference  about  twenty-six  years.  He 
attributes  his  conversion  to  the  gracious 
influence  of  parental  example,  aided  by 
the  influence  of  many  Christian  men  and 
women.  From  early  boyhood  he  believed 
that  if  he  were  ever  converted  he  would 
become  a  preacher.  He  determined  to 
study  law,  and  from  that  time  until  con- 
version he  battled  with  conviction,  doubt, 
and  unbelief.  While  attending  Wyoming 
Seminary  he  went  forward  for  prayers 
many  nights.  It  seemed  to  him  a  hope- 
less search  for  light.  Darkness  deepened, 
until  it  seemed  as  if  every  truth  he  had 
ever  known  was  lost.  On  the  eleventh 
evening,  while  others  were  testifying  to 
being  saved,  he  was  advised  to  "Rise  and 


WILL  H.  HILLER 


342 


Wyoming  Conference 


tell  the  people  you  are  converted,  and  you  will  then  feel  that  you 
are." 

That  advice  smothered  the  last  spark  of  hope,  and  with 
the  remark,  'The  whole  thing  is  a  fraud,"  he  left  the  altar.  From 
that  time  on  he  began  to  study  infidel  and  atheistic  books,  turned 
to  the  world,  and  tri^d  to  live  for  the  present.  He  was  stricken 
some  time  later  with  black  fever,  but  was  delivered  from  fatal 
results,  he  believes,  in  answer  to  prayer.  Convalescing,  he  be- 
lieved that  the  sickness  had  unfitted  him  for  professional  life,  and 
accordingly  learned  the  trade  of  house  and  fresco  painting.  In 
the  winter  of  1880  he  went  to  Leadville,  Colo.,  and  on  a  Sunday 
morning  in  April  he  went  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  As 
the  pastor.  Rev.  Thomas  Uzzell,  proceeded  with  his  sermon  the 
truths  taught  in  childhood  enthroned  themselves  in  his  heart,  and 
he  then  and  there  gave  himself  without  reserve  to  God  and  joined 
the  Church  at  once.  The  following  summer  he  spent  among  the 
cowboys  on  the  plains. 

He  returned  East  and  married  Miss  F.  May  Jones,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pa.,  on  August  3,  1882,  and  settled  again  in  Binghamton, 
uniting  with  the  Tabernacle  Church.  Here  he  opened  an  insur- 
ance office,  but  fancied  that  the  way  was  opening  for  entrance  to 
the  bar. 

About  this  time  he  was  called  to  Milford,  N.  Y.,  to 
supply  his  father's  pulpit  a  couple  of  Sundays  on  account  of  his 
father's  illness.  In  the  meantime  he  had  been  given  exhorter's 
license  by  Rev.  E.  W.  Caswell.  Unexpectedly  his  father's  sick- 
ness continued,  and  he  remained  at  Milford  and  supplied  the 
pulpit  the  whole  winter.  The  old  conviction  concerning  the 
ministry  reasserted  itself,  and  he  decided  to  give  himself  to  the 
ministry. 

His  educational  privileges  were  such  as  the  public  schools 
afforded,  a  short  term  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  his  father's  study, 
and  about  two  years  in  a  law  office. 

He  has  two  children — Fred  Neil  and  Margaret. 

After  supplying  Beach  Lake  one  year  he  joined  the  Conference 
in  1886. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1886,  Beach  Lake;  1887-91, 
Uniondale  and  Dundaf¥;  1892-96,  Parsons;  1897-1903,  Parrish 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. 

Htller,  William  M.,  was  born  on  August  13,  1835,  in  Dover, 
Kent  County,  England.  He  attended  a  governess  school,  branch 
of  London  Borough  Road  School,  private  academy,  and  a  high- 


Living  Preachers 


343 


WILLIAM  M.  HILLER 


grade  night  school  in  England,  and  after 
coming  to  this  country  he  attended  the 
Susquehanna  Seminary. 

He  was  converted  about  midnight  in 
his  room,  in  the  month  of  October,  1858. 
From  the  time  he  was  twelve  years  old 
he  had  the  impression  that  when  con- 
verted he  would  have  to  preach.  This 
impression  never  forsook  him,  though  he 
vigorously  fought  against  it.  Soon  after 
conversion  he  joined  the  Wesleyan 
Church,  in  which  his  father  was  a  local 
preacher.  However,  when  about  fifteen 
he  had  united  with  the  Church,  but,  re- 
sisting convictions,  he  became  indifferent 
and  continued  so  until  1858.    He  soon 

became  a  local  preacher,  and  he  was  put  on  the  plan  of  Liverpool 
North  Circuit  in  March,  1859,  he  continued  there  until  he 
came  to  this  country  in  i860. 

During  the  summer  and  fall  of  i860  he  served  Springville 
charge  as  junior  preacher,  his  uncle,  E.  W.  Breckinridge,  being 
the  preacher  in  charge.  In  the  spring  of  1861  he  joined  the 
Wyoming  Conference  and  was  sent  to  Union,  N.  Y.,  as  junior 
preacher,  A.  F.  Harding  being  the  senior  preacher.  In  October 
of  that  year  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army,  becoming  a 
member  of  the  i6th  New  York  Battery  of  Light  Artillery.  He 
continued  in  the  army  until  November  7,  1864,  and  rejoined  the 
Conference  in  1865. 

When  fourteen  years  of  age  he  was  regularly  apprenticed  to 
learn  the  brass-finishing  and  gas-fitting  trade.  He  served  five 
years  as  apprentice,  one  year  as  journeyman,  and  three 'years  as 
inspector  of  meters. 

His  brother,  Fred  L.,  was  for  many  years  an  honored  member 
of  this  Conference. 

On  January  14,  1862,  he  married  Miss  Oresta  L.  Burdick,  of 
McDonough,  N.  Y.,  who  deceased  on  November  6,  1901.  Two 
sons  and  one  daughter  were  born  to  them.  On  July  i,  1903,  he 
married  Miss  Martha  Pike,  of  Factoryville,  Pa. 

After  retiring  from  active  work  he  lived  with  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Dr.  C.  N.  Skinner,  of  Port  Jervis,  N.  Y.,  but  since  "his  last 
marriage  he  has  lived  in  Factoryville,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1861,  Union;  1862-64,  United 
States  Army;  1865-66,  Shepherd's  Creek;  1867-68,  Athens  and 


344 


Wyoming  Conference 


Litchfield;  1869-71,  Edmeston;  1872-73,  Butternuts;  1874-76, 
Otego;  1877-79,  Cooperstown;  1880-82,  Carbondale ;  1883-86, 
Presiding  Elder  of  Honesdale  District;  1887-88,  Owego;  1889- 
91,  Ashley;  1892-95,  Tunkhannock;  1896-97,  Susquehanna;  1898- 
1900,  Factoryville ;  1901,  Parsons;  1902-03,  sd. 

HoMAN,  Samuel,  was  born  on  September  13,  1832,  in  Berks 
County,  Pa.  His  parents  were  from  German  stock,  and  he  thinks 
his  great-grandfather  was  a  Palatine.    His  grandfather  came  to 

the  United  States  from  Rotterdam. 

In  1854  he  was  converted  in  the  city  of 
Reading,  Pa.,  and  united  with  the  Prot- 
estant Methodist  Church.  At  this  time 
his  parents  were  Lutherans,  but  they 
subsequently  were  converted  and  became 
Methodists.  He  was  elected  steward, 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school, 
trustee,  and  class  leader  before  he  had 
been  a  member  of  the  Church  a  full  year. 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1855,  and 
in  1856  joined  the  Pennsylvania  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
receiving  his  first  appointment  on  Au- 
SAMUEL  HOMAN  gust  II.    He  was  ordained  deacon  May 

24,  1857,  and  the  interests  of  the  church 
to  which  he  was  appointed  in  1858  demanded  that  he  should  be 
an  elder.  Accordingly  a  special  examination  was  given  him  and 
elder's  orders  granted  in  October,  1858.  While  a  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Conference  he  was  elected  president  three  times, 
and  to  the  General  Conference  once.  In  1873  he  was  transferred 
to  the  New  York  Conference,  where  he  was  three  times  elected 
chairman  of  a  district,  and  once  to  the  General  Conference.  In 
1876  he  became  a  member  of  Wyoming  Conference. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  he  knew  what  it  was  to  rough 
it,  traveling  on  horseback,  carrying  books  and  linen  in  saddlebags, 
sleeping  in  uncomfortable  beds,  and  receiving  but  a  pittance  for 
his  services.  He  has  never  taken  a  vacation,  and  has  never  been 
without  an  appointment,  except  when  in  the  army  for  the  sup- 
pression of  the  rebellion,  until  his  superannuation. 

On  October  4,  i860,  he  married  Miss  Annie  E.  Bortree,  of 
Sterling,  Wayne  County,  Pa.,  who  died  at  Hamlinton,  Pa.,  on 
September  i,  1886.  On  December  10,  1890,  he  married  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Holden,  of  Chenango  Forks,  N.  Y.    By  the  first  wife 


Living  Preachers 


345 


four  sons  and  two  daughters  were  born.  One  daughter  still  lives, 
the  wife  of  Attorney  C.  H.  Horton,  of  Carbondale,  Pa.,  and  three 
sons.  One  son,  Robert,  entered  the  Wyoming  Conference  and 
preached  for  a  few  years,  when  throat  trouble  caused  him  to 
retire  from  the  ministry. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1856-76,  in  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church;  Wyoming  Conference,  1876,  Edmeston ;  1877-78, 
Middlefield;  1879-81,  Sidney  Center;  1882-83,  Windsor;  1884-85, 
Waymart;  1886-87,  Salem;  1888-89,  Chenango  Forks;  1890-92, 
Clifford;  1893-94,  Bethany;  1895-98,  Jackson;  1899-1900,  Foster; 

1901-  03,  sd. 

HoucK,  Philip,  was  born  on  September  11,  1843,  Flicksville, 
Northampton  County,  Pa.  When  about  eighteen  years  of  age  he 
was  convicted  of  sin  under  catechetical  instructions  in  the  German 
Reformed  Church.  He  was  soon  con- 
verted, and  in  1864  joined  the  Evangel- 
ical Association.  He  learned  the  tin- 
smith trade  in  Stewartsville,  N.  J.,  and 
subsequently  engaged  in  the  tin  and  hard- 
ware business  in  Fhcksville  and  Bangor, 
Pa.,  about  eight  years,  during  which 
time  he  built  a  three-story  shop  and 
dwelling.  He  became  so  deeply  im- 
pressed that  God  was  calling  him  to  the 
ministry  that  he  sold  his  business,  en- 
tered Wyoming  Seminary,  and  graduated 
in  1876.  While  in  school  at  the  seminary 
he  joined  the  Kingston  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  by  letter  from  the  Evan- 
gelical Association.  Exhorter's  license 
was  given  him  in  November,  1873,  and  local  preacher's  license  in 
March,  1877.  After  serving  Stoddartsville  one  year  as  supply  he 
joined  the  Conference  in  1877. 

On  May  24,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Phoebe  Gulick,  of  Bangor, 
Pa.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  them — Oscar,  Sue  G.,  and 
L.  Victoria. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1877,  Stoddartsville;  1878- 
80,  Maple  Grove;  1881-82,  Hanover;  1883-84,  Dalesville  and 
Union;  1885,  Herrick  Center;  1886-90,  Bethany;  1891-93,  Salem; 
1894,  Cliflford;  1895,  Carley  Brook;  1896-97,  Mountain  Top; 
1898,  West  Nanticoke;  1899-1900,  Shavertown;   1901,  Falls; 

1902-  03,  Hawleyton. 


346 


Wyoming  Conference 


Howard,  Loring  P.,  was  born  on  August  20,  1846,  at  Danby, 
N.  Y.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  a  local  preacher,  and  his 
father  was  for  many  years  a  trustee  of  the  church,  living  to  be 
eighty  years  of  age. 

He  was  converted  at  eighteen  years  of 
age,  and  at  once  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
the  Candor  High  School.  His  son,  F.  L., 
is  a  lawyer,  residing  in  Waverly,  N.  Y., 
and  an  officer  of  the  Waverly  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

On  November  14,  1868,  he  married 
Miss  Emily  A.  Barden,  of  Berkshire, 
N.  Y. 

For  a  number  of  years  he  followed 
farming.  He  served  Litchfield  charge 
one  vear  before  joining  Conference  in 

1879.' 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
1879-80,  Litchfield;  1881-83,  Harford;  1884-86,  Orwell ;  1887- 
90,  Spencer;  1891-94,  Windham;  1895-98,  Danby;  1899-1903, 
Hornbrook. 


LORING  p.  HOWARD 


Hunt,  Sidney  Eggleston,  was  born  on  March  17,  1871,  at 
Guilford,  Chenango  County,  X.  Y.  He  attended  the  district 
school  near  his  home,  the  Guilford  village  school,  Cazenovia 
Seminary  about  two  years,  graduating  in 
1890.  In  the  same  fall  he  entered  Cor- 
nell University,  taking  the  civil  engineer- 
ing course,  graduating  in  1894.  His  par- 
ents helped  him  through  Cazenovia,  but 
in  college  he  sustained  himself  by  doing 
janitor  work,  caring  for  lawns,  typewrit- 
ing, etc.,  during  the  school  year,  and 
working  on  farms  or  elsewhere  during 
vacations. 

He  was  trained  by  Christian  parents, 
and  cannot  point  to  any  time  when  he 
was  converted,  although  he  was  often 
greatly  blessed.  He  joined  the  Church 
at  Guilford  in  the  fall  of  1882.  When  he  sidney  e.  hunt 
entered  college  he  had  no  thought  of  en- 
tering the  ministry.    He  became  interested  in  foreign  missions 


Living  Preachers 


347 


and  joined  the  band  which  vokinteered  to  enter  the  foreign  field 
if  the  way  should  open.  Some  time  after  this  C.  E.  Mogg, 
pastor  of  First  Church,  Ithaca,  where  he  held  his  membership  at 
the  time,  gave  him  an  exhorter's  license.  At  this  time  he  was 
superintendent  of  a  mission  Sunday  school.  In  August,  1893,  he 
was  given  a  local  preacher's  license  by  the  Ithaca  District  Con- 
ference. In  November,  1893,  he  began  to  supply  West  Danby, 
and  up  to  this  time  he  had  preached  but  twice.  In  1894  he  went 
to  Apalachin  as  supply,  and  in  1895  joined  the  Conference. 

On  April  14,  1896,  he  married  Miss  Retta  Chafifee,  of  Warren 
Center,  Bradford  County,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1895-96,  Litchfield;  1897-99, 
Barton;  1900,  at  school;  1901-02,  Castle  Creek;  1903,  Maine. 

Jacobs,  Gaylord  Clark,  was  born  on  January  4,  1854,  in  the 
town  of  Candor,  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.  He  spent  his  early  days 
on  the  farm,  having  the  advantages  of  a  district  school.  He 
afterward  spent  several  years  in  study  at 
Candor  Free  Academy  and  Wyoming 
Seminary,  having  to  quit  school  at  inter- 
vals and  teach  school  or  do  other  work 
to  maintain  himself.  He  was  converted 
at  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  joined  the 
Church  at  Fairfield,  an  appointment  on 
the  old  Caroline  Circuit,  now  Speedsville, 
being  baptized  and  received  into  the 
Church  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Reynolds. 

He  received  his  first  license  as  local 
preacher  from  the  Kingston  Quarterly 
Conference  May  23,  1881. 

On  October  29,  1881,  he  married  Miss 
Mina  E.  Utley.    Five  children  have  been      gaylord  c.  jacobs 
born  to  them,  three  of  whom  died  in 

early  childhood.  A  son,  Olin  M.,  and  a  daughter.  Hazel  Mae, 
still  live. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1883,  and  his  pastoral  record  is  as 
follows :  1883,  Oakland ;  1884-86,  Rush  ;  1887-90,  Little  Meadows  ; 
1891-95,  Gibson;  1896-98,  Newton;  1899,  Vestal;  1900-01, 
Courtdale;  1902-03,  Old  Forge. 

James,  Frank,  was  born  on  January  10,  1864,  in  the  city  of 
Durham,  England,  and  with  his  parents  came  to  America  in  1876. 
He  attended  the  public  school  in  England.    At  Berwick-on- 


348 


Wyoming  Conference 


Tweed  he  learned  the  tailor's  trade.  He 
worked  at  that  trade  in  this  country  for 
some  time,  also  worked  in  the  Ashley, 
Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  machine  shops,  and 
for  some  time  was  clerk  in  S.  E.  Wells's 
general  store. 

He  was  converted  in  Ashley  in  1880, 
during  a  revival,  and  at  once  joined  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was 
licensed  as  a  local  preacher  by  the  Ash- 
ley Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
worked  as  supply  preacher  four  years 
before  joining  Conference  in  1898. 

On  September  16,  1885,  he  married 
Miss  Ella  O'Neill,  of  Ashley,  Pa. 

His   pastoral   record   is  as   follows : 
i>5Q«,  Eaton;  1899-1903,  Centermoreland. 


FRANK  JAMES 


Jay,  Stephen,  A.M.,  was  born  on  April  26,  1846,  in  St.  Blazey, 
Cornwall,  England.  His  parents  were  industrious,  honest,  and 
helpful.  His  father,  though  without  a  single  day  of  schooling, 
became  an  extensive  and  intelligent 
reader — in  fact,  became  so  well  informed 
that  he  successfully  taught  one  Bible 
class  more  than  twenty  years. 

He  was  converted  at  thirteen,  and  at 
once  joined  the  Bible  Christian  Church. 
He  naturally  began  reading  and  studying 
religious  books,  and  when  eighteen  years 
old  received  a  local  preacher's  license. 
He  continued  in  this  capacity  in  the 
Bible  Christian  Church  until  he  came  to 
America  in  1869. 

In  1868  he  married  Miss  Prudence 
Hambly,  in  England,  who  died  in  Jer- 
myn.  Pa.,  and  in  June,  1873,  he  married 
Mrs.  Electa  M.  Griffin,  of  Jermyn,  Pa. 

He  was  honored  in  1900  by  the  degree  of  A.M.  from  Grant 
University. 

From  his  mother  he  inherited  a  taste  for  music,  and  at  the 
age  of  ten  was  an  alto  singer  in  the  church  choir.  Since  entering 
the  ministry  his  musical  ability  has  been  notable.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Wyoming  Conference  Quartet. 


STEPHEN  JAY 


Living  Preachers 


349 


He  joined  the  Conference  in  1875,  after  serving  Paupack  one 
year  as  supply.  His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1875,  Pau- 
pack; 1876-78,  Canaan;  1879-81,  Mount  Pleasant;  1882-84, 
Otego;  1885-86;  Milford;  1887,  Milford  and  Westville;  1888- 
89,  Waverly,  Pa.;  1890-91,  Sayre;  1892-95,  Susquehanna;  1896- 
99,  Ashley;  1900-01,  Wyoming;  1902-03,  Dorranceton. 


Jeffrey,  Eugene  L.,  was  born  on 
March  14,  1868,  at  Hempstead,  Long 
Island,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  and 
joined  the  Church  in  the  place  of  his 
birth  at  eleven  years  of  age.  His 
schooling  was  at  the  academies  in  West 
Winfield  and  East  Springfield,  N.  Y. 

He  married  Miss  Isora  M.  Higgins,  of 
Exeter,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y. 

He  supplied  Gouldsboro  eight  months 
before  joining  the  Conference  in  1892. 
His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
1892-93,  Triangle;  1894-96,  New  Ber- 
lin; 1897-98,  Vestal;  1899-1900,  Mor- 


ris; 1901-02,  Fly  Creek;  1903,  Afton.  eugene  l.  Jeffrey 


Jennison,  Levi,  was  born  on  January  7,  1848,  in  Lapeer, 
Cortland  County,  N.  Y.  Through  the  influence  of  his  brother 
he  was  led  to  Christ  in  August,  1861.  He  prepared  for  college 
at  Cortlandville  Academy  and  Cazeno- 
via  Seminary,  graduating  from  the  lat- 
ter in  1871.  In  the  fall  of  1871  he 
entered  Syracuse  University.  He  con- 
tinued there  until  April,  1874,  when 
failing  health  compelled  him  to  leave  at 
the  end  of  the  second  term  in  the  junior 
year. 

On  July  17,  1877,  he  married  Miss 
Florence  E.  Clark',  of  Groton  City, 
Tompkins  County,  N.  Y. 

After  having  been  a  local  preacher 
several  years  he  joined  the  Conference 
in  1879.  pastorates  have  been  as 

follows:     1879,    Nanticoke;  1880-81, 
Park   Place,   Scranton;    1882,  Parrish 
Street,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1883,  Morris;  1884-86,  New  Berlin;  1887- 


levi  jennison 


350 


Wyoming  Conference 


89,  Guilford;  1890-94,  Chenango  Forks;  1895-98,  Morris;  1899- 
1901,  Lockwood;  1902-03,  Union  Center. 

Jenkins,  Isaac,  was  born  on  February  i,  1837,  at  Ponter- 
wyd,  Cardiganshire,  South  Wales.  He  attended  the  common  and 
some  private  schools,  and  finally  a  high-grade  private  school  at 

Aberystwyth  City,  twelve  miles  from 
his  home. 

Raised  in  a  Christian  home,  he  was 
early  converted — when,  he  does  not  re- 
member— at  fourteen  years  of  age  re- 
ceived a  remarkable  blessing,  and  soon 
after  joined  the  Wesleyan  Church.  In 
March,  1859  he  received  exhorter's  li- 
cense, and  about  three  months  later  a 
local    preacher's    license.     In  ]\Iarch, 

1861,  he  left  school  and  went  as  sup- 
ply to  Swansea,  Glamorganshire,  South 
Wales,   where  he   labored   until  July, 

1862.  In  May,  1861,  he  was  examined 
by  the  South  Wales  District  Conference 
as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  and  in 

August  following,  after  proper  examination,  was  accepted  by 
the  Wesleyan  Conference  and  placed  on  the  reserve  list  until 
needed.  In  August,  1862,  he  was  appointed  to  Llandeilo  Circuit 
with  Rev.  Timothy  Jones,  and  again  in  1863  with  Rev.  Joseph 
Jones.  In  1864-65  he  was  on  the  Machynlleth  Circuit  with  Rev. 
Henry  Parry.  In  March,  1866,  he  came  to  America  and  settled 
in  Minersville,  !Meigs  County,  O.,  where  he  remained  two  and  a 
half  years,  supporting  himself  by  his  trade — blacksmithing.  Af- 
ter nine  months  of  silence  he  began  preaching  again  as  oppor- 
tunity came.  In  September,  1868,  he  went  by  invitation  to  the 
Welsh  Mission  in  Rome  District,  Black  River  Conference,  and 
was  licensed  to  preach  in  ^larch,  1869.  He  was  also  recom- 
mended to  membership  in  the  Annual  Conference,  and  was 
accepted  in  1869.  He  received  deacon's  orders  in  1870  and 
elder's  orders  in  1877.  He  became  a  member  of  this  Conference 
in  1888  by  transfer  from  the  Northern  New  York  Conference. 

On  March  3,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Lewis,  of  Aber- 
dovey,  Merionethshire,  North  Wales.  They  have  one  son  and 
two  daughters  living,  and  one  daughter  died  in  childhood. 

His  father  was  a  class  leader  for  many  years,  and  he  had  an 
uncle  who  was  a  prominent  preacher  in  Wales  many  years. 


Living  Preachers 


351 


He  has  published  a  pamphlet  on  Class  Meetings, 
His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1869-72,  South  Trenton, 
Welsh  Mission;  Northern  New  York  Conference,  1873-74,  West 
Sandy  Creek;  1875-77,  Ohio;  1877-78,  Norway  and  Grey;  1879- 
81,  Cedar  Lake;  1882-84,  Martinsburg;  1885-87,  Hammond; 
Wyoming  Conference,  1888-90,  Wilkes-Barre,  Welsh  Mission ; 
1891,  Lehman;  1892-94,  Vestal;  1895-97,  Auburn;  1898-99,  Gib- 
son; 1900-01,  Camptown;  1902-03,  Rome. 

JuDD,  William  J.,  was  born  on  April  14,  1833,  Flemingville, 
N.  Y.,  where  his  father,  Gaylord  Judd,  was  statio^ned  at  that 
time.  He  attended  district  school  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  when 
he  spent  some  time  in  an  academy  in 
Elmira.  After  teaching  a  while  he  went 
to  Cazenovia  and  spent  some  time  in  that 
school.  He  then  taught  school  several 
years.  Meanwhile  he  had  been  licensed 
as  a  local  preacher  by  the  Candor 
Church,  which  he  joined  when  fifteen 
years  of  age.  His  conversion  was  at  a 
camp  meeting.  He  became  convinced 
that  it  was  his  duty  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel when  about  twenty-four  years  old. 
Accordingly  he  joined  the  Conference  in 
1857. 

In  1861  he  married  Miss  Frances  W. 
Bacon.  They  have  a  son,  William  B., 
who  is  a  member  of  Newark  Confer- 
ence, where  he  preached  twelve  years,  and  is  now  professor  of 
philosophy  in  Mount  Union  College,  Alliance,  O.  His  brother 
Charles  was  a  missionary  in  India  twenty  years. 

He  was  secretary  of  the  Conference  from  1881-84.  Since  re- 
tiring from  active  work  he  has  resided  at  Marlboro,  N.  J. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1857,  Caroline  Center ;  1858, 
Tioga  Center;  1859,  Union;  i86o-6r,  Kingston  and  Wyoming; 
1862-63,  Hyde  Park,  Scranton;  1864-66,  Pittston ;  1867-69, 
Honesdale ;  1870-72,  Providence,  Scranton;  1873,  Montrose; 
1874-75,  Norwich;  1876-78,  Susquehanna;  1879-81,  Newark; 
1882-84,  High  Street,  Binghamton;  1885-86,  sy. ;  1887-88,  Park 
Place,  Scranton;  1889-1903,  sd. 

Jewell,  Charles  H.,  was  born  on  January  i,  1847,  in  Bing- 
hamton, N.  Y.   He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  his  school  advan- 


352 


Wyoming  Conference 


tages  were  those  of  the  common  school,  one  year  at  an  academy, 
and  two  years  under  a  private  tutor. 

He  was  converted  at  twenty-one  years  of  age,  at  Whitney's 
Point.  His  call  to  preach  came  almost  immediately  after  con- 
version. On  the  following  Sunday  he  united  with  the  Church 
on  probation,  and  on  the  same  day  received  an  exhorter's  license. 
In  the  following  August  he  received  local  preacher's  license.  In 

1872  he  joined  the  Conference,  served  Union  Center  one  year,  in 

1873  went  to  Chenango  Bridge,  and  in  1874  was  sent  to  Randol^^h. 
Here  his  health  failed,  and  he  dropped  out  of  the  work  before  he 
was  admitted  in  full  membership  in  the  Conference.  In  1876  he 
again  joined  the  Conference. 

Since  retiring  from  active  work  he  has  resided  at  Bumpvillc, 
Bradford  County,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1876-77,  Lanesboro;  1878- 
79,  Great  Bend;  1880-81,  Harpursville ;  1882-83,  sy. ;  1884-86, 
Litchfield;  1887,  sy. ;  1888,  North  Barton;  1889-1900,  sy. ;  1901- 
03,  sd. 

Johnson,  John  Wesley,  was  born  on  February  9,  1874,  at 
Oak  Hill,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  in  a  revival 
at  Oak  Hill  in  1894.    He  attended  district  school  at  Oak  Hill, 

and  the  High  School  at  Union. 

He  served  Campville  six  months  as 
supply  before  joining  the  Conference. 
His  father  has  been  a  class  leader  and 
trustee  for  years. 

On  August  23,  1893,  he  married  Miss 
May  Hinds. 

He  joined  the  Wyoming  Conference 
in  1897,  at  its  session  held  in  Oneonta, 
X.  Y.  In  1899  he  was  admitted  into  full 
membership,  having  previously  been  or- 
dained a  deacon.  In  1901,  at  the  Con- 
ference session  held  in  West  Pittston, 
Pa.,  he  was  ordained  an  elder  by  Bishop 

JOHN  WESLEY  JOHNSON  Fowlcr. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows : 
1897-99,  Orwell;  1900-02,  West  Nicholson;  1903;  Skinner's 
Eddy. 

Johnson,  James  Chester,  was  born  on  January  21,  1855,  at 
Jenksville,  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.   When  two  years  old  he  moved 


Living  Preachers 


353 


to  Candor,  N.  Y.  He  was  educated  at  Candor  Free  Academy,  a 
State  Normal  School,  and  Wyoming 
Seminary.  He  commenced  teaching  in 
1873,  and  taught  seven  terms  in  New 
York  State,  four  in  Wisconsin,  and  one 
in  Pennsylvania;  seven  of  the  twelve 
were  in  two  schools.  He  was  at  differ- 
ent times,  especially  in  1877-78,  engaged 
in  newspaper  work. 

He  was  converted  when  eleven  years 
old,  under  the  ministrations  of  Rev. 
William  Penn  Abbott,  and  joined  the 
Church  at  once.  He  received  local 
preacher's  license  April  12,  1879.  He 
supplied  West  Danby  from  June,  1881, 
until  the  following  session  of  Confer-  james  c.  johnson 
ence,  when  he  joined  it. 

On  August  24,  1 88 1,  he  married  Miss  Rozella  May  Van  Der- 
mark,  of  Dorranceton,  Pa. 

Failing  health  caused  him  to  retire  from  active  work  in  1901, 
since  which  time  he  has  lived  at  Schenevus  and  Oneonta, 
N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1882,  West  Danby;  1883- 
84,  South  Danby;  1885-86,  Windham;  1887-90,  Camptown ; 
1891-95,  Newton;  1896-98,  Union;  1899-1900,  Schenevus;  1901, 
sy. ;  1902-03,  sd. 

Karschner,  Lloyd  Willetts,  was  born  on  June  25,  1858,  at 
Sereno,  Columbia  County,  Pa.  The  Christian  habits  of  his 
parents,  who  were  members  of  the  Evangelical  Association,  early 
caused  him  to  desire  to  be  a  child  of  God.  At  about  ten  years  of 
age  this  longing  was  very  greatly  strengthened  by  accidentally 
finding  his  mother  in  a  secluded  place  praying  in  his  behalf.  On 
the  evening  of  August  23,  1 871,  at  a  camp  meeting  at  Hughesville, 
Pa.,  he  sought  the  Saviour,  and  in  November  of  the  same  year 
joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Wesley  Chapel,  Benton 
charge.  Central  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

He  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  State,  had  six  terms  at  a  Quaker  seminary,  and  two  years 
at  the  State  Normal  School  at  Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  1883.  He  taught  school,  before  and  after  graduation, 
seven  years. 

He  felt  called  to  the  ministry  many  years,  but  resisted  it.  He 
23 


354 


Wyoming  Conference 


LLOYD  W.  KARSCHNER 


received  his  first  license  as  local  preacher 
in  August,  1884. 

On  March  24,  1887,  he  married  Miss 
Ida  G.  Brader,  of  Beach  Haven,  Pa. 
They  have  one  child,  a  daughter. 

From  1885  to  the  spring  of  1888  he 
supplied  various  charges  in  the  Central 
Pennsylvania  Conference,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1888  joined  the  Wyoming  Con- 
ference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows : 
1888-90,  Exeter  and  Schuyler's  Lake; 
1891-93,  Sterling;  1894-97,  Lake  Como; 
1898,  Yates  ville;  1 899-1 901,  Way  mart; 
1902-03,  Pleasant  Mount. 


Keeney,  Seabtjry  B.,  was  born  on  September  i,  1832,  in 
Truxton,  Cortland  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  In  January,  1856,  he  found  Christ,  and  joined  the 
Church  in  the  following  March. 

On  May  3,  1857,  he  married  Miss 
Melvina  E.  Andrews,  of  Fabius,  N.  Y., 
who  died  at  Windham,  Pa.,  on  May  3, 
1897.  Their  son,  F.  T.  Keeney,  D.D.,  is 
a  member  of  Central  New  York  Confer- 
ence. 

After  serving  three  years  as  supply  he 
joined  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1866, 
becoming  a  member  of  Wyoming  by  ac- 
cession of  Oneida  territory. 

His  pastoral   record  is  as   follows : 
1866,  Willet;  1867-68,  Harford;  1869- 
71,  Flemingville ;  1872,  Tioga  Center; 
1873,  Germany;  1874-76,  Danby;  1877-     seabury  b.  keeney 
79,  Speedsville;  1880-82,  Rome;  1883- 

85,  Barton;  1886-88,  Hornbrook;  1889-91,  Danby;  1892-94, 
Lockwood;  1895-99,  Windham;  1900-02,  Harford,  N.  Y. ; 
1903,  sd. 

Kelley,  Harry,  was  born  on  March  2,  1868,  in  Ayrshire, 
Scotland,  and  came  to  America,  with  his  parents,  in  1879.  In 
1889  he  was  converted  in  a  revival  at  Virgil,  N.  Y.,  and  joined 


Living  Preachers 


355 


the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church.  He  at- 
tended the  common  schools,  and  spent 
three  years  in  study  at  Houghton  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  He  entered  the  min- 
istry of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church 
and  received  elder's  orders  therein. 
While  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan  Church 
he  served  the  following  charges:  1892- 
94,  Alcott,  N.  Y. ;  1895-97,  Middlefield, 
O.  After  serving  Noxen,  in  our  Con- 
ference, during  1898-99  as  supply,  he 
became  a  member  of  our  body,  his  orders 
being  recognized. 

On  March  10,  1892,  he  married  Miss 
Myrtie  Snyder,  of  West  Pittston,  Pa. 

His  pastorates  since  joining  Wyoming 
Conference  have  been  as  follows:  1900-1901,  Yatesville;  1902-03, 
Tackson. 


HARRY  KELLEY 


KiLPATRiCK,  Egbert,  was  born  on  August  23,  1855,  Roxbury, 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
and  at  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  was  converted  in  June,  1874,  and 
joined  the  Church  in  1875.  He  realized 
that  he  was  called  to  the  ministry  when  a 
boy.  In  March,  1882,  he  received  ex- 
horter's  license  and  local  preacher's 
license  in  August  of  the  same  year.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  followed 
farming  and  school-teaching  more  or  less 
before  joining  Conference  in  1884. 
^^^^^^  On  March  28,  1875,  he  married  Miss 
l|^^^^^^^^HV  Elma  A.  Stanton,  of  Lake  Como  charge, 
>J^UQ^^^^HF  who  died  in  Bainbridge,  N.  Y.,  October 
^tB^^^^^Kff  4>  1896.  In  July,  1897,  he  married  Miss 
^^^^^HP^        Harriet  Briggs,  of  Mount  Vision,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1884, 
Hale's  Eddy;  1885-87,  Canaan;  1888-90, 
Hartwick;    1891,    Windsor   and  Oua- 
quaga;  1892-94,  Windsor;  1895-96,  Bainbridge;  1897-98,  Otego; 
1899-1900,  Cooperstown;  1901-02,  Oxford;  1903,  Peckville. 


EGBERT  KILPATRICK 


King,  Francis  Asbury,  was  born  on  July  18,  1840,  in  Danby, 
Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.   He  attended  school  a  number  of  years 


356 


Wyoming  Conference 


in  the  township  where  he  was  born,  spent  over  two  years  in  the 

academy  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  and  two  years 
in  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  was  con- 
verted when  a  small  child,  and  cannot 
rememljer  when  he  l^egan  to  pray.  The 
call  to  the  Christian  ministry  came  to 
liim  in  1865,  in  which  year  the  North 
I)anl)y  Church  gave  him  an  exhorter's 
license.  On  March  17,  1866,  the  Kings- 
ton Quarterly  Conference  gave  him  local 
preacher's  license.  He  joined  the  Con- 
ference in  1868. 

On  April  2,  1868,  he  married  ]\Iiss 
Anna  Norris,  of  Slaterville,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1867- 
FRANcis  ASBURY  KING  69,  Plaius ;  1870-71,  Ncwport ;  1872-74, 
Lehman;  1875-77,  Clark's  Green;  1878- 
80,  Carverton;  1881-83,  Nicholson;  1884-86,  Brooklyn;  1887-88, 
Lackawanna;  1889-93,  Luzerne;  1894-96,  Taylor;  1897- 1900, 
Parsons;  1901-03,  Nichols. 

Kline,  Edwin  N.,  was  born  on  January  14,  1873,  at  Liverpool, 
Perry  County,  Pa.   At  the  age  of  twelve  he  was  thrown  upon  his 
own  resources  by  the  death  of  his  mother.    His  conversion  oc- 
curred when  he  was  fourteen  years  of 
age,  from  which  time  he  felt  called  to 
preach,  the  conviction  never  leaving  dur- 
ing school  and  working  years.  During 
several  years  he  worked  on  a  farm,  in 
the  lumber  regions,  in  a  sawmill,  and  in 
a  gristmill.    His  hunger  for  an  educa- 
tion and  desire  to  enter  the  ministry 
prompted   him   to   enter  Susquehanna 
University,  at  Selinsgrove,  Pa.,  in  1893, 
where  he  remained  four  years,  sustain- 
ing himself  by  selling  Bibles.    He  then 
went  to  Dickinson  College,  where  he 
studied   two   years.     The  Selinsgrove 
Quarterly   Conference   gave  him   local        edwin  n.  kline 
preacher's  license  on  April  30,  1896. 

During  his  stay  at  Dickinson  he  did  considerable  supply  work, 
carried  on  his  school  studies,  and  the  local  preacher's  course  of 
study  at  the  same  time.   On  the  death  of  James  Schofield  in  1899 


Living  Preachers 


357 


he  was  sent  to  Camptown  Circuit,  where  he  filled  out  the  year 
and  joined  Conference  in  1900. 

On  March  8,  1896,  he  married  Miss  Carlotta  Mae  Grissinger, 
daughter  of  Professor  C.  D.  Grissinger. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1900,  South  Danby ;  1901-02, 
Litchfield;  1903,  Ash  Street,  Scranton. 

Leacock,  John  C,  is  the  son  of  James  F.  and  Julia  A.  Leacock, 
and  was  born  in  Bloomsburg,  Columbia  County,  Pa.,  on  June  10, 
1836.  In  1837  his  parents  removed  to  a  farm  in  Fairmount, 
Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  the 
years  of  his  minority.  His  educational 
advantages,  aside  from  the  common 
school,  comprise  attendance  at  Dickinson 
Seminary,  New  Columbus  Academy,  and 
Wyoming  Seminary. 

After  leaving  Wyoming  Seminary  he 
taught  school  several  years,  and  had 
charge  of  a  select  school  in  Plymouth, 
Pa.,  when  engaged  by  Dr.  Clarke  as 
supply  for  Stoddartsville  charge.  He 
was  converted  and  joined  the  Church  in 
1856.  Exhorter's  license  was  given  him 
by  the  Dunmore  Quarterly  Conference  on 
March  21,  1863,  Dr.  George  Peck  pre-  john  c.  leacock 
siding.    On  April  26,  1865,  he  went  to 

Stoddartsville  as  supply  pastor.  After  filling  the  appointment 
two  Sundays  he  returned  to  Plymouth,  and  on  May  12,  1865,  re- 
ceived local  preacher's  license  from  the  Plymouth  Quarterly  Con- 
ference. After  supplying  Stoddartsville  one  year  he  joined  the 
Conference  in  1866,  receiving  deacon's  orders  in  1868,  and  elder's 
orders  in  1870. 

On  May  15,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Lydia  Gordner,  daughter 
of  Daniel  and  Keturah  Gordner,  of  Plymouth,  Pa.  One  child 
has  been  born  to  them — Arthur  G.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Syracuse 
University,  received  A.M.  from  Harvard  in  1894,  taught  Greek 
in  Wesleyan  Academy  at  Wilbraham  two  years,  pursued  post- 
graduate w^ork  in  Munich,  Germany,  and  Harvard,  and  in  1898 
received  Ph.D.  from  Harvard.  He  is  now  Greek  professor  in 
Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

In  1888  the  Conference  honored  him  by  an  election  as  delegate 
to  General  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1866,  Stoddartsville;  1867- 


358 


Wyoming  Conference 


68,  Lehman;  1869-71,  Lackawanna;  1872-73,  Moscow;  1874-76, 
Wyoming;  1877-79,  Union;  1880-81,  Cooperstown;  1882-84, 
Jermyn;  1885-90,  Presiding  Elder  of  Chenango  District;  1891- 
95,  Dunmore;  1896-97,  Timkhannock;  1898-99,  Dalton ;  1900-01, 
Newark  Valley;  1902-03,  Alderson. 

Lee,  James  N.,  was  born  on  June  6,  1836,  at  Kattelville,  town 
of  Chenango,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.  His  parents  were  of  New 
pjigland  stock,  his  mother  from  Connecticut  and  his  father  from 

Lee,  Mass.,  and  he  was  the  youngest  of 
ten  children.  His  father  died  when  he 
was  in  his  thirteenth  year,  and  he  was 
converted  in  the  fall  of  that  year  and  at 
once  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  For  a  number  of  years  after 
liis  father's  death  he  lived  with  his 
mother  in  the  old  homestead.  He  was 
educated  at  the  academy  in  Binghamton, 
where  he  fitted  himself  for  teaching, 
which  he  followed  six  or  seven  years  in 
Broome  County.  In  the  fall  of  1863  he 
was  elected  school  commissioner  in 
Broome  County  and  served  three  years, 
after  which  he  was  in  business  one  year. 
On  June  4,  1867,  he  married  Miss 
Emma  E.  White,  of  Chenango  Forks,  N.  Y.  Four  children  have 
iDcen  born  to  them — Harry  W.,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
Oneonta  Star;  E.  Gertrude,  now  living  in  Bainbridge,  N.  Y. ; 
Cora  E.,  now  teaching  in  Wilkes-Barre ;  James  M.,  a  graduate  of 
Wesleyan  University,  and  now  professor  of  natural  science  in 
Western  Reserve  Seminary  at  West  Farmington,  O. 

On  April  5,  1868,  he  was  given  a  local  preacher's  license  by  the 
Chenango  Quarterly  Conference,  and  on  the  14th  of  the  same 
month  he  was  appointed  as  junior  preacher  to  Lisle  and  Whit- 
ney's Point.  In  1869  he  joined  the  Conference,  and  was  appointed 
to  Kirkwood,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1869-71,  Kirkwood;  1872-74, 
Maine;  1875-77,  Worcester;  1878-79,  Otego ;  1880-81,  Unadilla ; 
1882-83,  Bainbridge;  1884-87,  Presiding  Elder  of  Otsego  Dis- 
trict; 1888-89,  Montrose;  1890-92,  Parrish  Street,  Wilkes-Barre; 
1893-97,  Plains;  1898-1900,  Great  Bend;  1901-02,  Factoryville ; 
1903,  sd. 


Living  Preachers 


359 


Lathrop,  William  Davis,  was  born  on  November  4,  1869,  at 
Herrickville  (on  Camptown  charge),  Bradford  County,  Pa.  He 
was  converted  at  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Wyoming  Seminary  and  Drew  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  and  from  Illinois  Wes- 
leyan  in  1902  receiving  degree  of  Ph.B., 
upon  the  reception  of  which  he  received 
the  degree  of  B.D.  from  Drew  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  He  did  three  years' 
work  as  supply  preacher  before  joining 
Wyoming  Conference  in  1901.  On  join- 
ing Conference  he  took  the  examinations 
of  first  and  second  year,  and  received 
deacon's  orders. 

On  April  30,  1902,  he  married  Miss 
Sarah  Almira  Murdock,  sister  of  Rev. 
L.  C.  Murdock,  at  Kingston,  Pa. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
1901,  Campville;  1902-03,  Kirkwood.       william  davis  lathrop 

Lewis,  Charles  Luman,  was  born  on  October  27,  1872,  in  the 
village  of  Camptown,  Pa.  On  his  paternal  side  his  ancestors  were 
of  English  extraction,  coming  to  this  country  early  in  the  eight- 
eenth century  and  settling  in  Connecticut. 
Immediately  after  the  revolutionary  war, 
having  served  under  Washington,  the 
Lewises  removed  to  Bradford  County, 
Pa.  On  his  maternal  side  he  is  the 
grandson  of  Almon  Fuller,  Esq.,  who 
came  from  Vermont,  and  settled  in  Sus- 
quehanna County,  but  afterward  removed 
to  Herrick  township,  in  Bradford 
County. 

After  finishing  his  common  school 
work  at  Camptown,  he  went  to  the 
Wyalusing  High  School  one  year,  and 
then  entered  Wyoming  Seminary,  taking 
CHARLES  LUMAN  LEWIS  tlic  commcrcial  course,  and  also  special 
work  in  telegraphy.  He  then  worked 
two  years  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  working  principally  at 
Sayre  and  Coxton.  In  the  fall  of  1895  he  was  converted,  and 
with  conversion  came  the  call  to  preach,  which  he  could  not  resist. 
Within  two  weeks  he  entered  the  Susquehanna  Collegiate  Insti- 


36o 


Wyoming  Coni-erence 


tute  at  Towanda,  Pa.,  completing  the  classical  course  in  two 
years.  He  next  entered  Drew  Theological  Seminary,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1900  with  the  degree  of  B.D.  During  his  senior 
year  at  Drew  he  took  special  work  in  literature  and  sociology  in 
the  graduate  school  of  New  York  University. 

In  1900  he  joined  the  Conference  and  was  sent  to  Windham, 
which  charge  he  is  still  serving. 

On  May  7,  1901,  he  married  Mrs.  Hattie  Stanton  Howard,  of 
Windham,  Pa. 

Lewis,  Joshua  Shay,  was  born  on  January  29,  1829,  in  the 
town  of  Wantage,  Sussex  County,  N.  J.  When  two  years  old  his 
parents  moved  to  the  township  of  Exeter,  Luzerne  County,  Pa., 

where  his  father  had  bought  a  farm — all 
wood  land.  He,  with  his  brothers  and 
some  hired  help,  helped  to  clear  up  the 
farm,  so  that  wdien  he  became  of 
age  two-hundred  acres  of  the  farm  had 
been  cleared  and  creditable  buildings  put 
thereon.  He  loved  the  farm,  and  all 
through  life  has  had  a  great  love  for  a 
farm.  From  his  mother  he  inherited  his 
tendency  to  sick  headache,  which  has 
followed  him  through  life.  He  cannot 
remember  an  hour  when  he  was  without 
pain  in  his  head,  ready  at  any  moment  of 
severe  strain  or  excitement  to  culminate 
JOSHUA  SHAY  LEWIS      iu  a  scvcrc  attack  of  sick  headache. 

He  attended  the  district  school  at 
Sutton  Creek  schoolhouse,  which  was  a  mile  and  a  quar- 
ter from  home,  winters  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age. 
It  was  in  this  schoolhouse  that  he  first  heard  Methodist  preaching, 
Rev.  C.  W.  Giddings  being  the  preacher;  and  it  was  in  this 
schoolhouse  that  he  entered  upon  a  religious  life,  at  a  Thursday 
evening  prayer  meeting,  when  twenty  years  of  age,  in  the  spring 
of  the  year  joining  the  Church  soon  after.  He  was  soon  made 
superintendent  of  the  Sutton  Creek  Sunday  school.  Sutton 
Creek  was  in  the  Northmoreland  Circuit.  In  the  fall  of  this  year 
he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary  where  he  remained  about  three 
years.  While  here  he  was  licensed  to  exhort  by  Rev.  A.  H. 
Schoonmaker,  one  of  the  preachers  on  Northumberland  Circuit. 
This  was  about  1851.  In  1854  he  began  work  as  supply  on  the 
Lehman  Circuit,  under  Rev.  W.  Smith,  and  shortly  after  begin- 


Living  Preachers 


361 


ning  his  work  he  was  given  a  local  preacher's  license.  In  1855 
he  joined  the  Conference. 

On  April  26,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Mary  L.  Shove,  of  Warren, 
Conn.,  who  died  at  West  Pittston,  Pa.,  on  March  8,  1903.  Six 
children  have  been  born  to  them — Franklin,  George  N.,  C.  G.,  Jay 
S.,  Edith,  and  Anna.  The  first  died  in  early  childhood.  Anna 
lives  in  Chicago,  and  the  others  live  in  West  Pittston,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1855-56,  Stoddartsville ; 
1857-58,  Lackawanna;  1859-60,  Lehman;  1861-62,  Northmore- 
land;  1863,  Lackawanna;  1864-65,  Plains ville;  1866-67,  Me- 
hoopany;  1868-70,  Springville;  1871-73,  Factoryville ;  1874-76, 
Meshoppen;  1877-79,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1880-82,  Forty  Fort;  1883- 
85,  West  Nicholson;  1886-88,  Fairdale;  1889-90,  Kirkwood; 
1891-92,  Hawleyton;  1893-94,  Herrick  Center;  1895,  Glen  Lyon; 
1896,  Moosic;  1897-1901,  sy. ;  1902-03,  sd. 

LiNNABERRY,  WiLLiAM  LowELL,  was  born  in  Binghamton, 
N.  Y.  His  ancestors  for  two  generations  have  been  Methodists. 
His  father's  family  were  identified  with  New  Jersey  Methodism, 
and  his  father  was  a  trustee  of  the  old 
Henry  Street  Church,  Binghamton,  for 
some  time.  His  mother  was  a  Harding, 
a  member  of  a  family  which  has  been 
prominent  in  Binghamton  Methodism 
for  half  a  century.  He  was  converted  in 
1870,  and  united  with  the  Centenary 
Church. 

Soon  after  conversion  he  felt  called  to 
preach,  and  for  that  work  was  educated 
at  the  Binghamton  High  School,  Syra- 
cuse University,  and  Auburn  Theolog- 
ical Seminary.  Convalescing  from  a  se- 
vere attack  of  typhoid  fever,  be  entered 
business  life  and  held  several  important  william  l.  linnaberry 
positions  in  banks  in  Binghamton,  Brad- 
ford, Pa.,  and  New  York  city.  In  1886  he  entered  his  chosen 
calling,  joining  the  Genesee  Conference.  After  serving  several 
charges  in  western  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  within  that  Con- 
ference he  was  transferred  to  this  Conference  in  1893. 

He  married  Miss  Laura  Laflin,  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y.  Two 
sons  have  been  born  to  them. 

He  has  found  time  in  his  busy  pastorates  to  contribute  quite 
liberally  to  the  secular  and  religious  papers. 


362 


Wyoming  Conference 


His  pastorates  have  been:  Genesee  Conference,  1886,  Derrick 
City;  1887,  Harrison  Valley;  1888-89,  Tioga;  1890-91,  Sanborn; 
1892,  Evans ;  Wyoming  Conference,  1893-94,  Uniondale  and 
Dundaff;  1895,  New  Milford;  1896-97,  Damascus  and  Galilee; 
1898-99,  Oakland;  1900-01,  Mount  Vision;  1902,  Hallstead;  1903, 
Chenango  Forks. 

Lyman,  Gideon  was  born  on  July  16,  1842,  at  Springville, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  and  is  the  son  of  Rev.  Samuel  Lyman. 
His  great-grandfather  was  Lieutenant  Gideon  Lyman,  who  was 

an  officer  on  General  Washington's  staff. 
He  attended  common  school  a  number 
of  terms,  was  at  the  Montrose  High 
School  parts  of  two  years,  and  also  at- 
tended Wyoming  Seminary  parts  of  two 
years.  He  taught  school  sixteen  terms. 
He  was  converted  at  nine  years  of  age, 
but  did  not  join  the  Church  until  he  was 
sixteen  years  old.  In  1864  he  enlisted 
in  the  army  and  served  under  Generals 
Kilpatrick  and  Sherman  in  the  historic 
march  to  the  sea.  He  was  discharged 
July  22,  1865. 

On  June  9,  1866,  he  married  Miss 
GIDEON  c.  LYMAN        L.  A.  Bunncll,  of  Meshoppen,  Pa. 

In  1 861  he  was  given  exhorter's  li- 
cense by  Rev.  E.  W.  Breckinridge.  In  1870  he  was  asked  to 
become  junior  preacher  on  Union  Circuit,  Upper  Iowa  Conference, 
under  Rev.  William  Brush,  presiding  elder,  who  gave  him  his  first 
local  preacher's  license.  In  1871  he  served  Rockwell  charge  in 
the  same  Conference.  Here  he  organized  five  classes  which  now 
constitute  five  charges.  In  1872  he  was  sent  to  Jenningsville,  this 
Conference,  as  supply,  and  in  1873  joined  us.  During  his  min- 
istry he  has  seen  over  two  thousand  persons  seeking  salvation  at 
our  altars. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1873-74,  Jenningsville ;  1875- 
77,  Mehoopany;  1878-80,  Clark's  Green;  1881-82,  Carverton; 
1883-84,  Dallas  and  Trucksville;  1885-86,  Nanticoke ;  1887-89, 
Tunkhannock;  1890-94,  Wyoming;  1895,  Pittston ;  1896-97,  sd. ; 
1898-1903,  Court  Street,  Scranton. 

Lesh,  R.  Floyd,  was  born  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  on  May  i,  1871. 
He  was  converted  in  October,  1893,  on  the  Newton  charge,  under 


Living  Preachers 


363 


the  labors  of  Rev.  J.  C.  Johnson,  and  united  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal   Church  at  Bald   Mount  in 
1894. 

He  was  licensed  as  a  local  preach- 
er by  the  Quarterly  Conference  of 
Newton  charge  on  the  29th  of  December, 
1894. 

After  four  years'  work  in  Wyoming 
Seminary  he  graduated  in  1898,  having 
pursued  the  classical  course.  He  entered 
Dickinson  College  in  1899  and  remained 
three  years. 

After  serving  as  supply  on  Rush 
charge  on  the  Binghamton  District  from 
November  15,  1902,  until  April  15,  1903, 
he  joined  this  Conference  and  was  sta- 
tioned at  Schuyler's  Lake. 


R.  FLOYD  LESH 


Livingstone,  Thomas,  was  born  on  September  18,  1870,  at 
Petersburg,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  at  twelve  years  of  age, 
from  which  time  he  believed  he  was  called  to  preach.  He  worked 
on  the  farm  until  he  could  no  longer 
withhold  himself  from  the  ministry. 
The  winter  he  was  nineteen  he  entered 
Drury  Academy,  at  North  Adams,  Mass. 
On  leaving  this  school  he  entered  the 
New  England  Conference  Seminary,  at 
Wilbraham,  Mass.  After  graduating 
from  this  school  he  took  special  studies 
in  Andover  Theological  Seminary.  Dur- 
ing his  course  of  studies  he  worked  his 
way,  maintaining  his  family  at  the  same 
time. 

He   was    first   licensed    as    a  local 
preacher  in  1896.    During  the  last  two 
years  he  was  at  Wilbraham,  and  while 
in  Andover,  he  was  a  regular  supply  in 
the  New  England  Conference. 

He  joined  this  Conference  in  1901,  and  has  been  at  Barton  dur- 
ing 1901-02.  In  1903  he  was  left  without  an  appointment  to 
attend  school. 

In  the  fall  of  1890  he  married  Miss  Cora  B.  Knowlton,  of 
North  Adams,  Mass. 


THOMAS  LIVINGSTONE 


364 


Wyoming  Conference 


LiTTELL,  Jacob  H.,  was  born  on  January  4,  1856,  in  the  town 
of  Sanford,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  at  a  camp 
meeting,  held  at  Tallmansville,  Pa.,  on  September  5,  1876,  and 

soon  after  felt  called  to  the  ministry.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
Wyoming  Seminary. 

In  1885  he  joined  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence, and  was  appointed  to  Uniondale, 
Pa.  He  was  ordained  a  deacon  by 
Bishop  Fowler  in  1887  at  Owego,  N.  Y., 
and  an  elder  by  Bishop  Foss  at  West 
Pittston,  Pa.,  in  1889. 

On  March  5,  1879,  he  married  Miss 
Ellen  Ricks,  of  Ouaquaga  Lake,  Broome 
County,  N.  Y. 

His  pastorates  have  been :  1885-86, 
Uniondale;    1887-90,    Lisle;  1891-93, 
Worcester;  1894-96,  Otego ;  1897- 1900, 
JACOB  H.  LITTELL        Oxford ;  1901-03,  Coopcrstowu. 

LowRY,  Raymond  W.,  was  born  on  July  ii,  1868,  in  Dundaff, 
Pa.  He  was  converted  on  October  20,  1885,  joined  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Scott  in  June,  1886.  He  at- 
tended Keystone  Academy,  at  Factory- 
ville,  Pa. ;  graduated  from  Wyoming 
Seminary  in  1888,  and  from  Syracuse 
University  in  1892.  While  attending 
Syracuse  University  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  141  St  New  York  State  Militia. 

In  1892  he  married  Miss  Georgia 
Hubbard,  of  Green  Grove,  Lackawanna 
County,  Pa. 

He  joined  the  Wyoming  Conference 
in  1892. 

The  following  is  his  pastoral  record : 
1892-93,  Apalachin;  1894-95,  Plymouth, 
N.  Y. ;  1896-99,  Edmeston;  1900,  Spen- 
cer; 1901,  Whitney's  Point;  1902-03, 
Windsor.  Raymond  w.  lowry 

Martin,  Edward  A.,  was  born  on  December  6,  1870,  in 
Devonshire,  England,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1887. 
He  was  converted  in  1886,  and  at  once  joined  the  Bible  Chris- 


Living  Preachers 


365 


tian  Church  and  did  some  preaching 
therein  before  coming  to  America. 
Shortly  after  coming  to  this  country 
he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Wyoming 
Seminary  and  Syracuse  University.  His 
brother,  Thomas  A.,  is  a  member  of  the 
Philadelphia  Conference. 

During  his  course  of  study  in  Syra- 
cuse he  supplied  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Mexico,  N.  Y.,  where  he  be- 
came acquainted  with  Miss  Eva  L. 
Miller,  whom  he  married  on  July  26, 
1899. 

He  joined.  Wyoming  Conference  in      edward  a.  martin 
1899,  and  has  served  Apalachin  charge 

from  1899  to  1901 ;  and  Mehoopany  charge  from  1902  to  1903. 

McAlpine,  William,  was  born  on  August  25,  1875,  in  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  and  came  to  America  when  six  years  of  age.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and 
graduated  from  the  Brooklyn  High 
School  in  1889.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Drew  Theological  Seminary  of  the  class 
of  1901. 

His  conversion  occurred  so  early  in 
life  that  he  does  not  know  the  date,  but 
at  fourteen  years  of  age  he  was  led  to 
a  richer  experience  and  more  perfect 
consecration.  When  but  a  boy  he  felt 
called  to  the  ministry,  but  fought  against 
it  for  years.  He  yielded  in  1898  and 
received  local  preacher's  license.  From 
1889  to  1898  he  was  with  a  dry  goods 
house,  Marshall  Field  &  Co.,  in  New 

WILLIAM  McALPINE  York. 

On  August  7,  1901,  he  married  Miss 
R.  L.  Matthews,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

He  joined  Conference  in  1901,  and  is  now  at  Narrowsburg, 
where  he  was  first  stationed. 

MacDonald,  David  Lincoln,  was  born  on  May  14,  1871,  at 
Pittston,  Pa.    When  a  boy  he  worked  in  and  about  the  coal 


366 


Wyoming  Conference 


mines.    At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  met  with  an  accident  which 

caused  the  loss  of  his  left  hand.  He 
soon  afterward  entered  school  with  the 
idea  of  preparing  for  a  professional  Hfe. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  converted 
at  a  meeting  in  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  of  his  native  place. 
Soon  after  conversion  he  joined  the 
Church  at  Pittston,  where  his  father  has 
been  a  prominent  official  many  years. 
Feeling  himself  called  to  the  ministry  he 
entered  Wyoming  Seminary  in  the  fall 
of  1888,  where  he  studied  three  years. 
At  the  close  of  his  work  at  Wyoming  he 
entered  Drew  Theological  Seminary, 
graduating  in  1895.  Exhorter's  license 
was  given  him  August  25,  1888,  and  six 
months  later  local  preacher's  license.  He  received  deacon's  or- 
ders in  1894,  and  joined  the  Conference  in  1895. 

On  May  22,  1895,  he  married  Miss  L.  Anna  Green,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Samuel  Green,  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1895-96,  Port  Crane;  1897- 
98,  Hallstead;  1899-1901,  Windsor;  1902-03,  Avoca. 


DAVID  L.  MacDONALD 


McKellar,  Donald  S.,  was  born  on  January  20,  1863,  the 
city  of  Greenock^  Scotland.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  but 
four  years  of  age  and  he  went  to  live  with  his  grandparents  in 
the  western  part  of  Scotland,  known  as 
the  Highlands.  He  was  sent  to  a  pri- 
vate school  when  five  years  old,  and  to 
public  school  at  seven.  At  the  age  of 
twelve  he  began  to  study  Latin  under 
Henry  Dunn  Smith,  A.M.,  and  contin- 
ued two  years.  After  the  death  of  his 
grandparents  he  started  for  America  on 
May  19,  1877,  and  on  arriving  in  this 
country  went  to  live  with  an  uncle,  who 
lived  near  Marathon,  N.  Y.  He  studied 
for  a  time  at  the  Marathon  Academy. 
In  1 88 1  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western 
Railroad  Company  in  Binghamton,  N. 
Y.,  and  worked  in  the  freight  depart-     donald  s.  mckellar 


Living  Preachers 


367 


ment  until  April,  1892.  During  two  winters  while  thus  em- 
ployed he  studied  under  a  graduate  of  Princeton,  devoting  four 
evenings  a  week  to  the  work.  In  April,  1892,  he  became  secre- 
tary of  the  railroad  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  at  White- 
hall, N.  Y.,  remaining  there  until  April,  1894,  when  he  resigned 
his  position  for  the  purpose  of  entering  the  ministry. 

He  was  converted  at  Killawog,  N.  Y.,  in  March,  1879.  He 
united  with  the  Centenary  Church  of  Binghamton  and  afterward 
transferred  to  Clinton  Street,  where  he  became  assistant  Sunday 
school  superintendent.  In  1895  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Clif- 
ford, and  in  1896  joined  the  Conference.  He  received  his  first 
local  preacher's  license  from  the  Whitehall  Quarterly  Conference, 
in  February,  1893. 

On  April  17,  1883,  he  married  Miss  Minnie  A.  Burnam,  of 
Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  who  died  at  Beach  Lake,  Pa„  on  December 
15,  1901. 

He  became  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  on  the  day  after  he 
was  twenty-one. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1896-97,  Clifford;  1898- 
1901,  Beach  Lake;  1902-03,  assistant  at  Franklin  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre. 

McChesney,  Grant  G.,  was  born  on  November  17,  1868,  in 
South  Howard,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.  In  his  boyhood  he  had 
the  advantage  of  the  common  district  schools,  and  when  nineteen 
years  old  entered  the  Haverling  Free 
Academy  at  Bath,  N.  Y.,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1890.  In  1891  he  took  a 
course  of  study  in  stenography  and 
bookkeeping  in  the  Rochester  Business 
College.  He  entered  Drew  Theological 
Seminary  in  1892,  graduating  in  1895. 
He  then  entered  Syracuse  University, 
and  studied  there  two  years. 

He  was  converted  when  eleven  years 
old  during  revival  services  held  at  South 
Howard,  by  the  pastor  of  Towlesville 
charge;  beHeved  himself  called  to  the 
ministry  in  1888,  and  received  exhort- 
er's  license  in  1891  from  the  Bath  grant  g.  mcchesney 
Church.     He    did    supply    work  four 

months  in  1894  at  East  Buffalo,  and  at  Peru,  N.  Y.,  about  six 
months  in  1895-96.    After  supplying  Wells  Bridge  one  year  he 


368 


Wyoming  Conference 


joined  the  Conference  in  1897,  having  been  ordained  deacon  in 
1895  by  Bishop  Andrews,  at  the  Central  New  York  Conference. 

On  July  10,  1895,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Aiills,  of  Bath,  N.  Y. 
Three  sons  have  been  born  to  them. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1897-99,  Laurens ;  1900, 
North  Norwich;  1901-02,  Masonville;  1903,  at  school. 

Madison,  Joseph,  was  born  at  St.  John's  Chapel,  County  of 
Durham,  England,  on  September  3,  1830.  He  was  converted 
when  twelve  years  old  at  home  and  joined  the  Wesleyan  Metho- 
dist Church  at  once — High  House  Chap- 
el, on  the  Walsingham  Circuit.  He  had 
the  advantages  of  the  common  school, 
and  some  academical  training..  When 
about  seventeen  he  received  a  clear  call 
to  the  ministry,  and  at  nineteen  received 
local  preacher's  license  from  the  Walsing- 
ham Circuit. 

On  May  22,  1852,  he  married  Miss 
Phoebe  Wallace  in  the  High  House  Chap- 
el, and  came  to  this  country  in  1854,  set- 
tling in  Danville,  Pa.    Two  sons  and  a 
daughter  have  been  born  to  them.  One 
son  has  died,  the  other  is  a  pharmacist  in 
JOSEPH  MADISON        the  Wcst,  and  the  daughter  is  the  wife 
of  Rev.  R.  M.  Pascoe,  of  this  Conference. 
On  their  fiftieth  anniversary  they  received  many  calls  and  con- 
gratulations, and  a  number  of  friends  in  the  Elm  Park  Church 
gave  them  a  purse  of  one  hundred  dollars  in  gold. 

He  supplied  Shohola  Mission  in  1855,  Dundafif  with  the  Rev. 
Silas  Earner  in  1856,  and  joined  the  Conference  in  1857.  Since 
retiring  from  active  work  he  has  resided  in  Scranton. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1857,  Thompson;  1858, 
Cherry  Ridge;  1859-60,  Bethany;  1861-62,  Salem;  1863-64,  Way- 
mart;  1865-66,  Barton;  1867-68,  Berkshire;  1869-71,  Carverton ; 
1872,  Newport;  1873-74,  Forty  Fort;  1875-76,  Lackawanna; 
1877-79,  Dunmore;  1880-81,  Waymart ;  1882-84,  Moscow;  1885- 
86,  Pleasant  Mount;  1887-88,  Forest  City;  1889-90,  Sterling; 
1891-92,  Bethany;  1893-94,  Wanamie ;  1895-97,  Yatesville;  1898- 
1903,  sd. 

Meaker,  Jared  Nelson,  was  born  on  November  21,  1869,  in 
Brackney,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.    Until  nineteen  years  of  age 


Living  Preachers 


369 


he  spent  his  life  on  a  farm,  receiving  from  seven  to  twelve  weeks' 
schooling  in  a  year  at  the  district  school. 
He  studied  one  year  in  the  Binghamton 
High  School,  four  years  in  the  Cortland 
Normal  School,  graduating  in  1896. 
During  his  course  in  the  Normal  School 
he  taught  school  some.  In  the  fall  of 
1896  he  matriculated  in  Syracuse  Uni- 
versity, where  he  studied  until  the  holi- 
days of  1897. 

During  his  last  year  in  Normal  School 
he  supplied  the  church  at  Groton  City, 
N.  Y.,  and  while  in  Syracuse  he  supplied 
East  Hill,  N.  Y.  In  1898  he  supplied 
Thornhurst,  and  joined  the  Conference 
in  1899,  and  remained  at  Thornhurst 
until  1901,  when  he  was  sent  to  Clifford. 

He  was  at  Clifford  two  years,  and  in  1903  went  to  Lake  Como. 

On  Sept.  6,  1898,  he  married  Miss  Grace  May  Fuller,  of  Conk- 
lin,  N.  Y. 


JARED  N.  MEAKER 


McDermott,  Hugh  C,  D.D.,  was  born  on  September  18, 
1852,  in  Dublin  District,  Harford  County,  Md.  His  father  came 
from  the  north  of  Ireland.  His  mother  was  a  Blaine,  and  dis- 
tantly related  to  James  G.  Blaine.  He 
was  converted  in  December,  1870,  about 
three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  place 
of  his  birth.  He  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  on  probation,  but  was 
received  into  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  in  full  connection  in  August, 
1871.  This  he  did  largely  because  his 
mother  was  a  member  of  that  Church. 
In  April,  1872,  he  received  an  exhorter's 
license,  and  in  the  following  August  a 
local  preacher's  license.  On  September 
I,  1872,  he  received  an  appointment  from 
the  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  An- 
nual Conference  of  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church.  In  1873  he  joined  the 
Conference  and  was  ordained  deacon  under  their  missionary  rule, 
which  constituted  him  a  full  member  of  the  body.  In  1875  he 
withdrew  from  the  Methodist  Protestant  body  and  sought  admis- 
24 


HUGH  C.  McDERMOTT 


370 


Wyoming  Conference 


sion  to  this  Conference.  He  was  received  into  full  connection  as 
deacon,  his  credentials  from  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  be- 
ing recognized. 

He  was  educated  at  the  Classical  Institute  at  Stewartstown, 
Pa.,  and  at  Fawn  Grove  Academy,  Pa.  In  June,  1895,  Dickinson 
College  conferred  the  degree  of  A.M.  upon  him,  and  in  May, 
1902,  Grant  University  conferred  the  degree  of  D.D. 

On  April  21,  1874,  he  married  Miss  Estella  L.  Gillette,  of 
Sheshequin,  Pa.  Two  daughters,  Ethel  and  Ada,  and  two  sons, 
Hugh  and  Bruce,  have  been  born  to  them. 

He  was  elected  a  delegate  to  General  Conference  in  1900. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1875-76,  Willet;  1877-78, 
Campville;  1879-81,  Auburn;  1882-84,  Factoryville ;  1885-87, 
Montrose;  1888-91,  Honesdale ;  1892-96,  Kingston;  1897,  Pre- 
siding Elder  of  Chenango  District;  1898-1900,  Oneonta;  1901- 
03,  Simpson,  Scranton,  Pa. 

McDermott,  William  Richard,  was  born  on  January  11, 
1878,  on  a  farm  near  Fawn  Grove,  York  County,  Pa.,  where  he 
lived  until  three  years  old,  when  he  moved  to  Fawn  Grove,  his 

father  having  died  when  he  was  a  year 
and  nine  months  old.  He  attended  the 
school  of  the  little  town  until  the  spring 
of  1 89 1,  when  he  entered  Fawn  Grove 
Academy,  where  he  studied  until  the  fall 
of  1893,  when  he  entered  the  State  Nor- 
mal School  at  Lock  Haven,  Pa.,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1895  with  the  de- 
gree of  B.E.  He  then  taught  the  school 
in  Fawn  Grove  two  years,  after  which 
he  received  the  master's  degree  from  his 
alma  mater.  In  the  fall  of  1897  he  en- 
tered Lafayette  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1901  with  the  degree  of 
WILLIAM  R.  McDERMOTT  Ph-B.  Hc  was  the  historian  of  his  class 
and  one  of  the  editors  of  the  class  an- 
nual. The  Melange.  In  1901  he  joined  the  Conference,  but  has 
been  left  without  an  appointment  so  that  he  might  attend  school. 
He  is  now  in  Drew  Theological  Seminary. 

He  was  converted  in  the  fall  of  1887,  and  in  the  fall  of  1899 
he  became  clearly  convinced  that  God  desired  him  to  enter  the 
ministry.  He  received  local  preacher's  license  from  the  Quarter- 
ly Conference  of  the  Oneonta  Church  on  December  28,  1900. 


Living  Preachers 


371 


MoGG,  Curtis  Elliott,  D.D.,  was  born  on  December  5,  1853, 
in  Euclid,  N.  Y.  He  graduated  from  Cazcnovia  Seminary  in 
1874,  and  from  Syracuse  University  in  1878.  Upon  examination 
he  received  from  Syracuse  A.M.  in  1881, 
and  Ph.D.  in  1883.  In  1900  the  same 
institution  conferred  upon  him  the  de- 
gree of  D.D. 

He  was  converted  at  EucHd,  N.  Y., 
October  3,  1867,  and  joined  the  Church 
on  October  7,  1867.  After  supplying 
Ludlowville  from  April  to  September, 
1877,  he  joined  the  Central  New  York 
Conference  in  1878,  and  in  1896  trans- 
ferred to  this  Conference. 

On  July  23,  1879,  he  married  Miss 
Jennie  M.  Andrews,  daughter  of  Rev.  J. 
F.  Andrews  of  the  Central  New  York 
Conference.  curtis  b.  mogg 

His  pastoral   record   is  as   follows : 
1878-80,  Fair  Haven;  1881,  Van  Ettenville;  1882,  Liverpool; 
1883-84,  Jordan;  1885-86,  Oneida;  1887-90,  Cazenovia;  1891- 
95,  First  Church,  Ithaca;  Wyoming  Conference,  1895-1903,  Cen- 
tral Church,  Wilkes-Barre. 


McMiLLEN,  Edward,  was  born  in  1868  in  Sussex  County,  N. 
J.  When  nine  years  old  he  desired  to  join  the  Church,  but  the 
pastor  thought  he  was  too  young.  At  fifteen  he  joined  the 
Church  at  Frankford  Plains  charge  on 
probation  and  at  sixteen  was  received 
into  full  membership  in  the  Newton 
Church  (Newark  Conference).  From 
early  childhood  he  had  a  desire  to  be- 
come a  minister  of  the  Gospel  when  suffi- 
ciently educated.  In  1885  and  1886  he 
was  apprenticed  to  a  pharmacist.  From 
1887-93  he  was  with  his  father  on  a 
farm.  In  September,  1893,  he  entered 
Centenary  Collegiate  Institute,  at  Hack- 
ettstown,  N.  J.,  where  he  graduated  in 
1896.  In  the  fall  of  1896,  he  entered 
Wesleyan  University  and  graduated  in 
1900  with  the  degree  of  A.B.  He  re- 
EDWARD  MCMILLEN       ccivcd  cxhortcr's  license  in  September, 


372 


Wyoming  Conference 


1893,  and  local  preacher's  license  in  1894,  receiving  deacon's  or- 
ders at  Newark  Conference  in  1899.  He  supplied  Palisade 
Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  during  the  vacation  of  the 
pastor  in  the  summer  of  1899.  He  also  did  some  supply  work  in 
Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  and  in  and  around  Middletown,  Conn., 
during  his  college  course.    In  1900  he  entered  this  Conference. 

On  Octoher  3,  1900,  he  married  Miss  Dora  Isabel  Blackman, 
A.B.  (Wesleyan),  of  Middletown,  Conn. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1900,  Campville;  1901, 
Franklin  Forks;  1902-03,  Newton. 

Mead,  Peter  F.,  was  born  on  January  13,  1862,  in  Blooming- 
dale,  Passaic  County,  N.  J.  His  educational  advantages  were 
very  limited  until  he  became  of  age,  when  he  entered  the  Cente- 
nary Collegiate  Institute  at  Hacketts- 
town,  N.  J.,  where  he  studied  four  years, 
after  which  he  entered  Drew  Theological 
Seminary  and  graduated  in  1890. 

He  was  converted  on  October  17, 
1878,  in  a  service  held  in  a  schoolhouse 
near  Stockholm,  Sussex  County,  N.  J., 
and  soon  after  united  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  Stockholm,  on  the 
Newfoundland  charge  in  the  Newark 
Conference.  About  two  years  after 
joining  the  Church  he  was  given  an  ex- 
horter's  license,  and  local  preacher's  li- 
cense was  given  him  on  February  23, 
PETER  F.  MEAD  1 884,   by  thc   church   at  Succasunna, 

Newark  Conference.  Deacon's  orders 
were  given  him  at  Newark  Conference  in  1889.  In  1890  he 
joined  Newark  Conference,  where  he  labored  until  1896,  when 
he  came  to  this  Conference  and  supplied  Rome  charge  one  year, 
and  in  1897  united  with  the  Conference. 

On  May  14,  1890,  he  married  Miss  Kate  Alma  Bosch,  of  East 
Orange,  N.  J. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1890-95,  Newark  Conference; 
1896,  supply  at  Rome;  1897-8,  Rome;  1899-1900,  Litchfield; 
1901,  North  Tioga;  1902-03,  Carley  Brook. 

Meaker,  David  L.,  was  born  on  April  21,  1861,  at  Silver  Lake, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  He  attended  the  common  schools  of 
that  and  Bradford  County  until  his  people  moved  to  Binghamton 


Living  Preachers 


373 


in  1872,  when  he  passed  through  the 
grammar  school  on  Carroll  Street.  The 
death  of  his  father  prevented  his  going 
further  in  school  work.  He  had  a  clear 
call  to  the  ministry  when  twelve  years 
old,  and  when  about  eighteen  began 
theological  study  under  Rev.  W.  J.  Judd, 
but  soon  discontinued,  as  he  resisted  the 
call  to  preach.  He  learned  the  trade  of 
painter  and  paper-hanger,  worked  four 
years  as  journeyman  and  then  began  to 
contract  work  for  himself,  at  which  he 
continued  eight  years.  He  received  ex- 
horter's  license  in  1894,  and  local  preach- 
er's license  in  1895.  After  supplying  david  l.  mbaker 
Coventry  one  year  he  joined  the  Confer- 
ence in  1896,  and  was  regularly  appointed  to  the  same  charge. 

He  has  been  twice  married :  first,  to  Miss  Carrie  B.  Abbott, 
who  died  in  1889;  second,  to  Miss  Mary  1.  Watrous,  of  Bing- 
hamton,  N.  Y.,  in  November,  1891. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1896,  Coventry,  1897-99,  Mc- 
Donough;  1900-03,  Lanesboro. 

Moore,  Samuel,  D.D.,  was  born  on  January  21,  1836,  in  the 
town  of  Broome,  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  sixth  in 
*   a  family  of  seven  children.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 

and  in  Norwich  Academy.  For  a  while 
he  taught  school.  He  was  converted  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Nor- 
wich in  the  winter  of  1855-56.  He  re- 
ceived local  preacher's  license  from  the 
Norwich  Quarterly  Conference  in  1862, 
and  after  supplying  Masonville  one 
year  he  united  with  the  Oneida  Confer- 
ence in  1863.  He  became  a  member  of 
this  Conference  by  accession  of  territory. 
A  nervous  breakdown  in  1889  caused 
him  to  go  West  for  recuperation.  In 
1890  he  was  transferred  to  the  Puget 
Sound  Conference.  In  1895  he  came 
SAMUEL  MOORE  East,  aud  in  1896  was  transferred  to  this 

Conference. 

On  March  14,  i860,  he  married  Miss  Laura  J.  Day  of  Nor- 


374 


Wyoming  Conference 


wich,  N.  Y.,  who  died  on  January  31,  1901.  Five  children  were 
born  to  them,  four  of  whom  have  passed  away.  A  son,  Rev.  E. 
J.  Moore,  Ph.D.,  is  now  a  member  of  East  Ohio  Conference. 
On  February  5,  1902,  he  married  ^liss  ]\Iary  O.  Brewer,  of  Nor- 
wich, N.  Y. 

He  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  from  Olympia  Collegiate  In- 
stitute, of  Olympia,  Ore. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1863,  Masonvihe ;  1864-65, 
South  New  Berlin;  1866,  ]\Iount  Upton;  1867-69,  Gilbertsville ; 
1870-72,  Smyrna;  1873-74,  Worcester;  1875-77,  West  Pittston ; 
1878-79,  Carbondale;  1880-82,  First  Church,  Wilkes-Barre ; 
1883-85,  Waverly,  N.  Y. ;  1886,  Hyde  Park,  Scranton ;  1887- 
89,  Presiding  Elder  of  Owego  District;  Puget  Sound  Con- 
ference; 1889,  Financial  Agent  Puget  Sound  University;  1890- 
95,  Presiding  Elder  of  Tacoma  District ;  Wyoming  Conference, 
1896-99,  Norwich;  1900,  Financial  Agent  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary; 1901-02,  Clinton  Street,  Binghamton ;  1903,  Conference 
Evangelist. 

MoTT,  Philip  M.,  was  born  on  February  17,  1843,  Scranton, 
Pa.  His  father,  Barton  Mott,was  an  active  layman,  who  did  much 
toward  the  planting  of  Methodism  in  Scranton,  and  was  superin- 
tendent of  the  first  Sabbath  school  in 
the  city.  He  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in 
his  younger  days  and  between  terms  of 
school.  He  attended  New  Columbus 
Academy  and  Wyoming  Seminary.  He 
taught  school  two  terms  before  entering 
the  ministry. 

He  was  converted  when  a  lad  of  fif- 
teen years,  but  felt  called  to  the  ministry 
when  a  small  child.  He  received  ex- 
horter's  license  February  6,  1869,  local 
preacher's  license  April  2,  1871,  and 
joined  the  Conference  in  1872. 

While  retired  from  active  work  he 
PHILIP  M.  MOTT         lived  at  Pike's  Creek,  Luzerne  County, 
Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1872,  Lehman;  1873-75, 
Stoddartsville ;  1876-77,  Beach  Pond;  1878,  Narrowsburg;  1879- 
81,  Canaan;  1882-83,  Sterling;  1884-85,  sy. ;  1886-88,  Lehman; 
1889-92,  Hornbrook;  1893-95,  Orwell;  1896-1902,  sd. ;  1903, 
Noxen. 


Living  Preachers 


375 


MuRDOCK,  Leonard  C,  was  born  on  August  24,  1863,  in 
Toddsville,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  His  boyhood  was  spent  in 
this  quiet  village,  not  far  from  Cooperstown,  and  here  he  attended 
district  school.  His  school  life  away 
from  home  was  commenced  by  attend- 
ing the  Cooperstown  High  School  two 
years.  He  then  went  to  Cazenovia  Sem- 
inary, where  he  graduated  in  1886.  From 
there  he  went  to  Wesleyan  University, 
where  he  graduated  in  1890,  with  the 
degree  of  A.B.  While  in  Wesleyan  he 
supplied  Somerville,  Conn.,  two  years. 
He  joined  the  Conference  in  1890. 

He  was  converted  on  November  24, 
1882,  and  joined  the  Church  the  follow- 
ing month. 

On  July  2,  1890,  he  married  Miss  Lucy 
E.  Peet,  of  Clayville,  N.  Y.    They  have    Leonard  c.  murdock 
one  daughter. 

His  only  sister  is  the  wife  of  Rev.  William  D.  Lathrop. 
His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1890-93,    Carverton;  1894- 
96,  Parrish  Street,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1897-1903,  Kingston. 

Netherton,  William  R.,  was  born  in  1854,  at  St.  Blazey, 
Cornwall,  England.  In  England  he  passed  the  eight  standard 
courses  of  the  public  schools,  and  taught  the  intermediate  grades 

one  year.  On  coming  to  America  he 
worked  in  the  mines,  clerked  in  John 
Jermyn's  store,  and  subsequently  entered 
Wyoming  Seminary,  taking  a  special 
course. 

On  February  17,  1872,  at  Jermyn,  then 
called  Gibsonburg,  in  an  afternoon 
prayer  meeting,  he  was  converted.  The 
Rev.  S.  F.  Wright  was  the  pastor  at  the 
time.  He  received  his  local  preacher's 
license  from  the  Jermyn  church. 

In  1876  he  joined    the  Conference, 
having  been  married  on  the  30th  of 
March,  preceding,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  A. 
WILLIAM  R.  NETHERTON  Bakcr,  of  Jcrmyu.    On  account  of  the 
affliction  of  his  oldest  daughter,  he  took  a 
supernumerary  relation  in  1894,  which  he  continued  until  1901, 


376 


Wyoming  Conference 


when  he  became  superannuated.  At  his  retirement  he  settled 
in  Forty  Fort,  engaging  in  the  drug  business  with  his  oldest  son, 
remaining  there  until  1900,  when  he  moved  to  Wyoming,  estab- 
lishing a  business  there  alone,  having  passed  the  necessary  ex- 
aminations to  become  a  registered  pharmacist. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1876-77,  Lackawaxen ; 
1878-80,  Beach  Pond;  1881-83,  Orwell;  1884-86,  Camptown; 
1887-88,  Hampton  Street,  Scranton ;  1889-93,  Forty  Fort;  1894- 
1900,  sy. ;  1901-03,  sd. 

Ne\vell,  John  Vining,  was  born  on  April  26,  1830,  in  Dur- 
ham, Androscoggin  County,  Maine.  He  attended  the  common 
schools,  select  school,  and  the  academy  at  Le  Raysville,  Pa. 

On  June  20,  1850,  he  was  converted  at 
a  camp  meeting,  held  at  Franklin,  Brad- 
ford County,  Pa.,  and  joined  the  Church 
at  Le  Raysville  at  once.  From  conversion 
he  felt  impressed  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
preach. 

Rev.  George  H.  Blakeslee,  his  pas- 
tor, gave  him  exhorter's  license  in  185 1. 
He  supplied  Vestal  from  July  to  October 
inclusive  in  1851,  and  taught  the  South 
Owego  school  from  November,  1851,  to 
March,  1852.  He  then  accepted  a  like 
position  in  Nichols  village,  where  he 
taught  from.  September  to  December  of 
JOHN  v.  NEWELL  1 852.  Shortly  after  closing  the  Nichols 
school,  he  went  as  supply  to  Van  Etten- 
ville,  and  in  1853  joined  the  Conference. 

On  September  29,  1852,  he  married  Miss  Abbie  S.  Weeman,  of 
Lisbon,  Me.,  who  died  on  December  6,  1899.  Four  daughters 
and  one  son  were  born  to  them. 

Since  retiring  from  active  work  he  has  resided  at  Uniondale, 
Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1853,  South  Danby;  1854-55, 
Rome;  1856-57,  Mehoopany;  1858-59,  Springville ;  i860,  Auburn; 
1861,  Gibson;  1862-63,  Scranton;  1864,  Springville;  1865,  Tunk- 
hannock;  1866,  sy. ;  1867-68,  Susquehanna  Depot;  1869-70,  Mount 
Pleasant;  1871,  Schenevus ;  1872-74,  Hartwick ;  1875-77,  Hawley; 
1878-80,  Jermyn;  1881-83,  Dunmore;  1884,  Park  Place,  Scranton; 
1885-87,  Hawley;  1888-90,  Salem;  1891-93,  Lake  Como;  1894-98, 
Throop  and  Nay  Aug;  1899,  Yatesville;  1900-03,  sd. 


Living  Preachers 


377 


Noble,  W.  Arthur,  was  born  on  September  13,  1866,  in 
Springville,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.     He  came  from  New 
England  stock,  his  maternal  grandfather  being  a  preacher  in 
the  Wesleyan  Connection  and  a  direct 
descendant  of  John  Alden.    His  father 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  served  as  class  leader  and 
Sunday  school  teacher  many  years.  His 
father  being  a   farmer,   he   spent  his 
younger  days  upon  a  farm.     He  was 
converted  when  seven  years  old  under 
his  mother's  instructions  and  helpfulness. 
In  1883-84  he  was  employed  in  a  general 
store  at  Forest  Lake,  Pa.   In  1885  he  was 
employed  in  the  marble  shop  of  T.  C. 
Allen,  in  Montrose,  where  his  people 
were  then  living.    To  Mr.  Allen  he  is 
greatly  indebted  for  subsequent  opportu-       w.  arthur  noble 
nities.    In  1886  he  joined  the  Church  at 

Montrose  during  the  pastorate  of  H.  C.  McDermott,  who  gave 
him  valuable  assistance  in  planning  for  the  ministry.  He  was 
licensed  as  exhorter  in  1888,  and  local  preacher  in  1889.  He 
attended  Wyoming  Seminary  from  1887-90,  and  while  in  the 
seminary  he  supplied  Harding,  Coxton,  and  Buttonwood.  While 
in  the  seminary  he  believed  himself  called  to  the  mission  field,  and 
finally  decided  to  go,  through  the  influence  of  Mr.  Mott,  secretary 
of  the  Student  Volunteer  Movement.  He  attended  Drew  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  1890-92  and  again  in  1895-96,  the  last  period 
being  while  in  this  country  on  furlough  from  the  mission  field,  on 
account  of  sickness  in  his  family.  While  in  Drew  in  1890-91  he 
labored  in  the  Madison  Street  Mission  in  New  York.  In  the 
spring  of  1892  he  was  appointed  to  Korea,  and  until  1895  was 
instructor  in  the  Pai  Chai  College  at  Seoul,  Korea.  He  joined 
this  Conference  in  1892,  and  was  ordained  deacon  and  elder 
under  missionary  rule  by  Bishop  Goodsell.  In  1896  he  was 
appointed  to  Pyeng  Yang  Circuit,  which  he  served  until  1901,  in 
which  time  he  received  seventeen  hundred  persons  into  the 
Church.  In  1901  he  was  appointed  presiding  elder  of  the  North 
Korea  District. 

In  the  spring  of  1892  he  married  Miss  Mattie  L.  Wilcox,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  them.  Ruth 
and  Alden  are  still  living.  Cyril  and  May  are  buried  in  Pyeng 
Yang. 


378 


Wyoming  Conference 


He  has  received  the  degree,  of  B.D.  from  Drew  Theological 
Seminary,  and  those  of  A.B.  and  A.^I.,  in  absentia^  from  Harriman 
University. 

He  has  published  in  the  Korean  language  Comments  on  Romans 
and  Elements  of  Psychology. 


Xewing,  Charles  H.,  M.A.,  was  born  on  May  i,  1862,  in  Ellen- 
ville,  X.  Y.  At  the  age  of  ten  his  parents  moved  to  Binghamton, 
where  his  boyhood  was  spent,  and  where  he  attended  school  until 

fifteen  years  old.  When  fourteen  years 
old  he  joined  the  Centenary  Church, 
where  his  parents  held  their  membership. 
After  leaving  school  he  served  two  years 
as  clerk,  and  at  seventeen  began  to  learn 
the  carpenter's  trade,  working  at  this 
three  and  a  half  years. 

During  a  part  of  1883  he  was  acting 
general  secretary  of  the  Binghamton 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  In 
the  fall  of  1883,  feeling  the  need  of  a  bet- 
ter education,  he  entered  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary, where  he  graduated  in  1887. 
While  in  the  seminary  he  felt  called  to 
enter  the  ministry,  and  received  a  local 
preacher's  license  from  the  Kingston 
In  going  through  Wyoming,  he  was  as- 
a  friend,  but  paid  the  balance  of  his  ex- 
penses by  working  around  the  school.  In  1887  he  entered  Drew 
Theological  Seminary,  graduating  in  1890.  While  in  this  school 
he  supplied  Woodland  Avenue  Church,  Philadelphia  Conference, 
and  Glen  View  charge,  Newark  Conference.  In  1890  he  joined 
this  Conference. 

Grant  University  conferred  the  degree  of  M.A.  upon  him  in 
1900. 

On  ^lay  14,  1890,  he  married  ]\Iiss  Lila  Lucas,  of  Florence, 
X.J. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1890,  Greene;  1891-92, 
Castle  Creek;  1893-94,  Falls;  1895-97,  Dalton ;  1898-1900,  Sus- 
quehanna; 1901-03,  Dunmore. 


CHARLES  H.  NEWING 

Quarterly  Conference, 
sisted  the  first  vear  bv 


Nicholson,  John  W.,  M.A.,  was  born  on  October  14,  1865,  in 
Durham,  England,  of  Methodist  stock,  his  father  being  a  local 
preacher  in  the  Wesleyan  Church.    He  is  the  eleventh  in  a 


Living  Preachers 


379 


family  of  sixteen  children.     He  was 
years  of  age,  and  when  fifteen 


converted 


JOHN  W.  NICHOLSON 


nine 

he  preached  his  first  sermon  in  the 
church  at  Penshaw,  county  of  Durham. 
The  church  stands  to-day  just  as  it  stood 
when  Wesley  preached  in  it,  the  people 
having  such  reverence  for  it  that  they 
will  not  allow  it  to  be  altered.  He 
graduated  from  Harley  College,  London, 
in  1886,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  came 
to  America,  landing  in  New  York  on 
October  4.  In  1887  he  went  to  Lacka- 
waxen  as  supply,  and  in  1888  joined  the 
Conference. 

On  June  23,  1892,  he  married  Miss 
Blanche  Crowell,  of  Harford,  Pa., 
daughter  of  Rev.  Jesse  T.  Crowell. 

In  1900  Grant  University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of 
M.A. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1888,  Harford,  Pa. ;  1889- 
90,  assistant  at  First  Church,  Scranton ;  1891-92,  Cedar  Avenue, 
Scranton;  1893-96,  Clinton  Street,  Binghamton ;  1897-1903, 
Waverly,  N.  Y. 

Olver,  Albert  C,  was  born  on  March  15,  1848,  in  Dyberry 
township,  Wayne  County,  Pa.  His  early  days  were  spent  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  his  father  died, 
his  mother  having  died  ten  years  before. 
His  education  was  such  as  the  common 
school  afforded  until  he  entered  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  of  which  school  he  is  a 
graduate.  In  1876  he  supplied  Spring- 
brook,  and  in  1877  he  supplied  Daleville, 
with  Rev.  D.  F.  Waddell,  joining  the 
Conference  in  1878. 

In  1869  he  married  Miss  Mary  E. 
Webb,  of  Bethany,  Pa. 

On  account  of  his  health  he  was  super- 
numerary in  1892. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
1878,  Springbrook;  1879-81,  Taylorville ; 
1882-84,  Cherry  Ridge;  1885-87,  Damas- 
cus; 1888-89,  Moscow;  1890-91,  Way- 


ALBERT  C.  OLVER 


38o 


Wyoming  Conference 


mart;  1892,  sy. ;  1893-96,  Thompson;  1897-98,  Harpursville  and 
Nineveh;  1899-1902,  Lake  Como;  1903,  sy. 


Olmstead,  Charles  M.,  Ph.D.,  was  born  on  November  23, 
1868,  at  South  Worcester,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  He  graduated 
from  Hartwick  Seminary  in  1886,  Cazenovia  Seminary  in  1891, 

and  from  Syracuse  University  in  1895, 
with  degree  of  A.B.    In  the  winter  of 
'  \        1880  he  was  converted  in  a  revival  at 

j^r  \      South  Worcester.    He  was  in  business 

^      \     for  some  time  with  his  father  in  Sidney, 
fj^    ,  #  \    N.  Y.    When  the  call  came  to  enter  the 

ministry  he  was  unwilling  to  leave  a  lu- 
crative business.  However,  as  time 
passed  he  felt  so  pressed  by  duty  that  he 
decided  to  enter  the  ministry.  Exhort- 
er's  and  local  preacher's  licenses  were 
given  him  in  1888  and  1889,  and  he 
joined  this  Conference  in  1894. 

On  July  31,  1895,  he  married  Miss 
Lillian  Beatrice  Scott. 

He  received  the  degree  of  Ph.D.  from 
Illinois  Wesleyan  University  in  1903. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1894,  North  Norwich ; 
1895-98,  Castle  Creek;  1899-1902,  Guilford;  1903,  Chenango 
Street,  Binghamton. 


CHARLES  M.  OLMSTEAD 


Palmer,  Louis  D.,  was  born  on  January  13,  1871,  at  Brook- 
field,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  in  Jan- 
uary, 1887,  and  joined  the  Church  soon 
after.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Norwich 
High  School,  class  of  1891,  and  of  Syra- 
cuse University,  class  of  1901,  taking 
the  degree  of  A.B. 

On  June  29,  1899,  he  married  Miss 
Sadie  Pauline  Lewis,  of  Kattelville,  N.Y. 

He  united  with  the  Conference  in 
1894,  after  supplying  Coventry  one  year. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
1894,  Coventry  ;  1895-96,  Gilbertsville  ; 
1897,  Chenango  Forks;  1898-99,  North 
Norwich;  1900-02,  Chenango  Bridge; 
1903,  Facto ryville. 


1 


w 


LOUIS  D.  PALMER 


Living  Preachers 


381 


Parsons,  Frank  H.,  was  born  on  July  18,  1850,  near  Center 
Village,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.    His  father,  Rev.  Sylvester  Par- 
sons, was  a  local  preacher  for  many  years,  and  his  mother 
is  from  Methodist  stock,  being  a  cousin 
of  Bishop  Goodsell.    His  early  life  was 
spent  on  a  farm,  where  he  received  such 
educational  advantages  as  the  district 
school  afforded.    At  the  age  of  nineteen 
he  received  a  second-grade  teacher's  cer- 
tificate, and  began  teaching  in  the  same 
year  in  the  North  Sanford  public  school. 
He  followed  teaching  in  district  schools 
several  years,  teaching  winters  and  go- 
ing to  school  summers.    After  attend- 
ing the  academy  at  Harpursville  one 
term    he    entered    the    State  Normal 
School  at  Cortland,  where  he  graduated 
in  1874.    Subsequent  to  graduation  he 
was  principal  of  the  graded  schools  at     frank  h.  parsons 
Harpursville  and  Chenango  Forks. 

He  was  converted  in  1867  between  Christmas  and  New  Year's, 
under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Silas  Barner,  in  a  schoolhouse  on 
Perch  Pond  Hill,  an  appointment  on  the  Harpursville  charge,  and 
joined  the  Church  at  once.  Very  soon  after  conversion  he  felt 
called  to  the  ministry,  and  the  conviction  deepened  with  the  pass- 
ing years.  On  September  19,  1875,  he  received  an  exhorter's  li- 
cense, and  on  March  28,  1877,  the  Chenango  District  Conference 
gave  him  a  local  preacher's  license,  and  he  joined  Conference  in 
1878.  He  and  his  father  received  deacon's  orders  at  the  same 
time,  in  1880. 

On  December  25,  1876,  he  married  Miss  Evangeline  M. 
Plough,  of  Tracy  Creek.  She  has  been  president  of  the  Woman's 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  Binghamton  District,  and  cor- 
responding secretary  of  the  same  society  on  Oneonta  District. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1878,  Triangle;  1879-80, 
Willet;  1881-82,  North  Fenton;  1883,  sy. ;  1884-86,  Union  Cen- 
ter; 1887-89,  Hawleyton;  1890-91,  Vestal;  1892-96,  Waverly, 
Pa.;  1897-1901,  Milford;  1902-03,  Greene. 

Pearce,  Elmer  E.,  was  born  on  April  11,  1862,  at  North  Afton, 
N.  Y.  He  attended  district  school  at  North  Afton,  the  high  school 
at  Afton,  and  is  a  graduate  of  Wyoming  Seminary  and  Drew  The- 
ological Seminary.   He  was  converted  at  twelve  years  of  age. 


382 


Wyoming  Conference 


On  March  3,  1892,  he  married  Miss  Gertrude  Russell,  of  Rus- 
sell Hill,  in  Sanford  township,  N.  Y. 

He  joined  Wyoming  Conference  in  1892.  His  pastorates  are 
as  follows:  1892-94,  East  Worcester;  1895-96,  Laurens;  1897- 
1900,  Fly  Creek;  1901-02,  Morris;  1903,  Gilbertsville. 

Potter,  Albert  Edward,  was  born  on  June  21,  1870,  at  Foster, 
Tioga  County,  N.  Y.  He  attended  district  school  in  this  place 
until  his  family  moved  to  Binghamton  in  1882,  where  he  attended 

the  high  school  one  full  year  and  two 
winters. 

He  was  converted  one  night  in  Janu- 
ary, 1887,  while  on  his  way  home  from 
one  of  Mr.  Moody's  meetings.  He  came 
to  a  decision  while  passing  over  the  Ex- 
change Street  footbridge,  and  at  once 
identified  himself  with  the  High  Street 


Church.  From  this  time  until  1898  he 
worked  at  various  things — in  a  comb  fac- 
tory in  Binghamton,  at  farming,  taught 
school,  motorman  on  Binghamton  electric 
railroad.  During  these  years  he  became 
somewhat  indifferent  in  religious  life. 


ALBERT  E.  POTTER  lu  Dccembcr,  1897,  he  became  aroused 

to  a  consciousness  of  his  condition  and 
needs,  and  reconsecrated  himself  to  God.  In  this  a  question  as 
to  preaching  the  Gospel  was  settled,  which  God  put  to  him  in  the 
winter  of  1891-92  and  to  which  he  had  said  "No."  He  received 
exhorter's  license  from  Union  Church  in  January,  1898,  and  local 
preacher's  license  in  March,  1898,  and  in  April  sought  admission 
into  the  Conference.  He  passed  a  very  fine  examination,  but  was 
advised  to  attend  school  further.  He  accordingly  entered  Wy- 
oming Seminary  in  the  fall,  joined  the  Conference  in  the  spring 
of  1899,  and  was  left  without  appointment  to  attend  school.  He 
graduated  from  Wyoming  in  1901.  During  his  stay  at  Wyoming 
he  paid  his  way  by  firing  boilers  and  doing  other  work. 

On  December  24,  1888,  he  married  Miss  Myrtle  Gage.  Three 
girls  have  been  born  to  them. 

His  pastoral  record  is:  1899-1900,  at  school;  1901-02,  Coopers- 
town  Junction;  1903,  Rush. 

Place,  George  A.,  Ph.D.,  was  born  on  January  22,  1849, 
Mount  Upton,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.    He  is  a  graduate  of 


Living  Preachers 


383 


Cazenovia  Seminary,  and  of  Syracuse  University,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  1876,  having  taken  the  classical 
course.   He  received  from  the  university 
the  master's  degree  in  1879,  and  in  1884, 
upon  examination,  Ph.D. 

He  was  converted  and  joined  the 
Cluirch  when  fourteen  years  old.  While 
in  Cazenovia  Seminary  he  became  con- 
scious of  a  call  to  the  ministry.  Exhort- 
er's  license  was  given  him  by  his  home 
church  in  December,  1870,  and  his  first 
local  preacher's  license  was  given  him  in 
January,  1871.  He  was  ordained  deacon 
in  1875,  and  joined  the  Conference  in 
1876. 

On  July  5,  1876,  he  married  Miss 
Amy  A.  Payne,  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y., 

who  died  at  Honesdale,  Pa.,  on  November  3,  1900.  Two  daugh- 
ters have  been  born  to  them — Larissa  J.  and  Adelaide  L. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1876-77,  Chenango;  1878- 
80,  Castle  Creek;  1881-83,  Greene;  1884-85,  Bainbridge;  1886- 
88,  Slaterville;  1889-93,  Athens;  1894,  Derr  Memorial,  Wilkes- 
Barre;  1895-98,  Carbondale;  1899-1903,  Honesdale. 


GEORGE  A.  PLACE 


Pascoe,  Richard  M.,  A.M.,  was  born  in  South  Canaan,  Wayne 
County,  Pa.  He  attended  public  school  in  Waymart  and  Car- 
bondale before  going  to  Canada  in  1874.  He  taught  school  five 
months  in  Wayne  County,  and  four 
years  in  Canada.  His  last  work  as  a 
teacher  was  in  the  high  school  at  Bow- 
manville,  Ontario,  Canada,  where  he 
was  at  the  head  of  the  scientific  depart- 
ment. In  May,  1884,  he  graduated  from 
Victoria  University,  Cobourg,  Canada 
(now  located  at  Toronto),  taking  hon- 
ors in  mental  and  moral  philosophy, 
with  the  degree  of  A.B.  In  1887  the 
same  school  gave  him  the  degree  of 
A.M. 

He  was  converted  at  Orono,  Ontario, 
Canada,  November  i,  1874.    Shortly  af- 
ter conversion  he  became  convinced  that 
RICHARD  M.  PASCOE      it  was  his  duty  to  preach  the  Gospel,  and 


3^4 


Wyoming  Conference 


struggled  against  this  conviction  ten  years.  In  March,  1885,  he 
was  given  local  preacher's  license  by  the  Waymart  Quarterly  Con- 
ference, and  recommended  to  Wyoming  Conference  for  admission 
on  trial,  and  was  received  into  the  Conference  the  following  April. 

On  September  16,  1885,  he  married  Miss  Jennie  M.  Madison, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Joseph  Madison. 

He  has  served  charges  as  follows :  1885,  Cherry  Ridge ;  1886- 
88,  Jackson;  1889-91,  Le  Raysville;  1892-96,  Meshoppen;  1897- 
98,  Berkshire;  1899-1901,  Avoca;  1902-03,  Thompson. 

Prentice,  George  Henry,  was  born  on  January  17,  1853,  in 
the  town  of  Burlington,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  He  is  the  only 
living  child  of  John  A.  and  Lydia  A.  Prentice,  the  two  oldest 

children,  George  W.  and  Henry  J.,  dying 
in  childhood.  In  the  spring  of  1858  the 
family  moved  to  Hartwick,  N.  Y.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  obtained  a 
common  school  education  in  the  district 
school  near  his  home.  Prior  to  the 
spring  of  1873  he  had  on  two  different 
occasions  spent  a  year  at  Hartwick  Sem- 
inary, a  Lutheran  classical  and  theolog- 
ical school,  located  a  few  miles  below 
Cooperstown,  N.  Y.  In  the  winter  of 
1873-74  he  taught  a  district  school  in 
Hartwick,  and  in  the  fall  of  1874  secured 
a  position  as  assistant  teacher  in  Hart- 
wick Seminary,  where  he  remained  five 
years,  graduating  in  the  classical  course 
in  1879.  In  the  fall  of  1879  entered  Drew  Theological  Sem- 
inary, where  he  graduated  in  1882.  He  joined  the  Conference 
in  1883. 

He  was  raised  in  a  Methodist  home,  and  in  1868  became  a 
member  of  the  Church.  He  realized  a  call  to  preach  in  1877,  and 
in  the  fall  of  that  year  was  licensed  as  exhorter,  and  again  in  1879. 
From  1876  to  1879  he  ran  a  small  printing  office. 

In  1888  he  published  a  fifty-page  pamphlet  on  High  License 
a  Step  in  the  Wrong  Direction;  and  in  1889  another  pamphlet  of 
about  the  same  size  on  Constitutional  Prohibition  the  Best 
Remedy  for  the  Drink  Evil  of  Modern  Times. 

On  April  4,  1884,  he  married  Miss  Hattie  V.  Chamberlain,  of 
Fulton,  la.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them — Pearl  A.,  Neil 
L.,  Ruth  E.,  Julia  F.,  Blanche  L.,  and  Myrah  H. 


Living  Preachers 


385 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1883,  East  Worcester;  1884- 
85,  Wells  Bridge;  1886,  East  Worcester;  1887,  Harptirsville  and 
Nineveh;  1888-90,  Gilbertsville ;  1891-93,  New  Berlin;  1894-98, 
Waymart;  1899-1903,  Moscow. 

Price,  John  W.,  was  born  on  March  6,  i860,  near  Pottsville, 
Pa.  He  was  one  year  in  the  Schuylkill  Valley  Seminary,  and 
graduated  from  Wyoming  Seminary  in  1889. 

He  was  converted  in  the  fall  of  1876 
in  the  Primitive  Methodist  Church  of 
Shenandoah,  Pa.  Shortly  after  this  he 
assisted  in  establishing  a  Methodist  Epis- 
copal class,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
original  members,  in  the  little  town  of 
William  Penn,  Pa.  From  this  charge  he 
received  exhorter's  license  in  November, 
1883,  and  local  preacher's  license  while 
in  the  seminary  at  Kingston.  After  sup- 
plying Harvey's  Lake  and  Maple  Grove 
each  one  year  he  united  with  the  Confer- 
ence in  1 89 1,  and  received  deacon's  or- 
ders at  the  same  session. 

On  September  10,  1891,  he  married 
Miss  L.  S.  Gordon,  of  Maple  Grove,  Pa. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  il 
1894-96,    Centermoreland ;    1897-98,    Shavertown ;  1899-1901, 
Mehoopany;  1902-03,  Springville. 


JOHN   W.  PRICE 


1-93,  Maple  Grove; 


EUGENE  A.  QUIMBY 
25 


QuiMBY,  Eugene  A.,  was  born  on 
July  19,  1863,  in  Morris  County,  N.  J. 
He  is  a  graduate  of  Coleman's  Business 
College,  Centenary  Collegiate  Institute, 
at  Hackettstown,  N.  J.,  and  of  Drew 
Theological  Seminary.  His  conversion 
occurred  in  October,  1884,  and  he  joined 
the  Church  in  the  following  year. 

On  July  5,  1894,  he  married  Miss 
Celinda  Hudeman,  of  Morristown,  N.  J. 

He  became  a  member  of  this  Confer- 
ence in  1895,  and  has  served  the  follow- 
ing charges:  1895,  Flemingville ;  1896- 
98,  Le  Raysville;  1899-1902,  Salem; 
1903,  Sanitaria  Springs, 


3^6 


Wyoming  Conference 


JAMES  LEE  RACE 


Race,  James  Lee,  was  born  on  July  4,  1830,  in  Richmond, 
Yorkshire,  England.  His  father,  David  Race,  began  life  in  a 
humble  way,  being  by  trade  a  chimney  sweeper.    By  energy  and 

care  he  acquired  some  property,  and  be- 
came collector  of  taxes  in  his  town.  He 
was  also  a  local  preacher  in  the  Wes- 
leyan  Church,  and  of  such  gifts  that  his 
services  were  a  delight  to  his  home 
church  and  much  sought  on  adjoining 

L I"  circuits. 
,^)^  -  ^  ^^^^  subject  of  this  sketch  was  ap- 
#  ^^^jj^jjg^  prenticed  to  learn  the  printer's  trade  at 
fourteen  years  of  age,  and  served  seven 
years  in  learning  his  trade.  Before  com- 
mencing his  apprenticeship  he  attended 
the  common  school,  and  after  beginning 
his  trade  he  attended  the  grammar 
school  evenings,  it  being  required  of  ap- 
prentices to  attend  evening  school  during 
the  period  of  apprenticeship. 

He  was  converted  at  the  age  of  ten,  and  at  once  united  with 
the  Church.  On  September  26,  1846,  Rev.  J.  S.  Thomas,  superin- 
tendent of  Richmond  Circuit,  gave  him  license  to  preach.  In 
1849  he  had  become  a  fully  accredited  local  preacher  and  was  put 
on  the  plan  of  Richmond  Circuit,  where  he  continued  until  1851, 
when  he  was  put  on  the  First  London  Circuit,  remaining  on  this 
circuit  until  the  end  of  1852.  In  1853  ^'^^  evangelistic  work, 
largely  with  the  Reformed  Methodists,  and  during  1854  and  a 
part  of  1855  he  was  on  the  Hoxham  Circuit  of  the  Reformed 
Methodists.  In  the  middle  of  1855  he  returned  to  the  mother 
Church  and  was  superintendent  of  the  Shotley  Bridge  Circuit 
about  a  year,  when  he  was  put  on  the  Grantham  Circuit,  where 
he  labored  nearly  two  years.  He  did  considerable  evangelistic 
work  during  these  years,  and  was  in  demand  for  anniversary 
services. 

In  1858  he  came  to  this  country,  landing  on  Washington's 
birthday.  Because  of  this  fact  and  the  date  of  his  birth  he 
claims  to  be  a  born  American. 

Soon  after  arrival  here  he  began  supply  work  in  this  Confer- 
ence. He  suppHed  Lackawaxen,  1858-59;  Moscow,  i860;  Pau- 
pack,  1861 ;  Ararat,  1862;  Damascus,  1863-64;  Bethany,  1865-67, 
and  in  1868  joined  the  Conference,  having  received  deacon's  or- 
ders in  1866. 


Living  Preachers 


387 


On  September  9,  1851,  he  married  Miss  Jane  Humble,  of  Rich- 
mond, daughter  of  a  class  leader  and  who  had  two  brothers  who 
were  local  preachers.  She  died  at  Bethany,  Pa.,  in  March,  1868. 
Three  sons  were  born  to  them — ^Jabez  Wesley,  John  Humble,  and 
Ulysses  Grant.  On  October  22,  1868,  he  married  Mrs.  Hattie  E. 
Wright,  of  Pleasant  Mount,  Pa.  Two  children  have  resulted 
from  this  union — William  Francis  and  Lillian,  who  is  now  Mrs. 
Stephen  H.  Dayton  and  lives  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

In  September,  1896,  he  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of 
his  ministerial  career.  His  old  friend,  Rev.  Jonas  Underwood, 
preached  in  the  morning,  and  he  gave  an  account  of  his  life  at 
the  evening  service. 

Since  entering  the  Conference  his  appointments  have  been  as 
follows:  1868-69,  Beach  Pond;  1870,  Waymart;  1871-73,  Tunk- 
hannock;  1874-76,  Nicholson;  1877-78,  Smyrna;  1879-81,  Plains; 
1882-84,  New  Milford;  1885,  Marathon  and  Killawog;  1886-88, 
Mehoopany;  1889-90,  Lehman;  1891-94,  Lackawanna;  1895-97, 
Cedar  Avenue,  Scranton;  1898-1903,  Rendham. 

Race,  John  H.,  D.D.,  was  born  on  March  10,  1862,  at  Paupack, 
Pike  County,  Pa.  He  is  the  son  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Race,  and  conse- 
quently was  brought  up  in  the  Church,  but  when  thirteen  years 
old  he  made  his  first  public  profession  in 
a  meeting  conducted  by  his  father  at 
Nicholson.  While  working  in  a  planing 
mill  at  Pittston  he  lost  his  hand,  which 
sad  providence  caused  him  to  heed  the 
calls  of  God  to  the  ministry  which  he  had 
been  receiving  for  many  years  but  re- 
fused to  obey.  He  accordingly  began 
preparation  for  the  ministry.  He  grad- 
uated from  Wyoming  Seminary  in  1886, 
and  from  Princeton  University  in  1890, 
receiving  the  degree  of  A.B.  In  1899 
Syracuse  University  conferred  the  de- 
gree of  D.D.  upon  him. 

On  June  25,  1890,  he  married  Miss 
Alice  Bannister,  who  for  some  time  was         jqhn  h.  race 
instructor  in  art  at  Wyoming  Seminary. 

He  received  local  preacher's  license  from  Kingston  Quarterly 
Conference  in  1884,  and  in  1888  was  ordained  deacon.  In  1890 
he  joined  the  New  Jersey  Conference,  and  in  1894  went  to  supply 
Centenary  Church,  Binghamton,  for  the  balance  of  the  year,  Dr. 


388 


Wyoming  Conference 


Colville  having  resigned  soon  after  Conference.  In  1895  he  was 
transferred  to  this  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows  :  New  Jersey  Conference,  1890, 
Island  Heights;  1890-94,  Professor  in  Wyoming  Seminary;  1895- 
97,  Centenary,  Binghamton;  1898-1903,  Chancellor  of  U.  S.  Grant 
University. 


RucKMAN,  Phineas  G.,  was  born  on  April  26,  1842,  at  New 
Providence,  N.  J.  He  attended  the  common  school  in  early  boy- 
hood, and  when  thirteen  years  of  age  his  parents  sent  him  to  the 

Conference  Seminary,  located  at  Char- 
lotte, Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.  Subse- 
quently he  attended  Falley  Seminary,  at 
Fulton,  N.  Y.,  and  also  Pennington 
Seminary.  When  Drew  Theological 
Seminary  opened  he  was  one  of  the  first 
students  to  matriculate,  graduating  in 
1 87 1,  and  subsequently  receiving  from 
Drew  the  degree  of  B.D.  During  his 
time  spent  in  preparatory  schools  he 
spent  his  vacations  on  his  father's  farm. 

Prior  to  entering  Drew  he  taught  two 
years.  While  teaching  he  responded  to 
the  nation's  call  for  troops  and  enlisted 
in  the  30th  Regiment  of  New  Jersey 
Volunteers  and  served  at  the  front  nine 
which  he  began   further  preparations,  for  his 


PHINEAS  G.  RUCKMAN 


months,  after 
lifework. 

He  was  converted  when  seventeen  years  old,  and  joined  the 
Church  at  once.  The  New  Providence  Church  gave  him  an  ex- 
horter's  license  in  1865,  In  1866  he  was  sent  to  supply  King- 
wood,  N.  J.,  from  which  church  he  received  his  first  local  preach- 
er's license. 

He  joined  the  Newark  Conference  in  1870,  was  transferred  to 
the  New  Jersey  Conference  in  1882,  and  in  1884  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  Nebraska  Conference,  thinking  he  might  get  rid  of 
malaria  contracted  in  the  army.  A  year  later  he  was  transferred 
to  West  Nebraska  Conference,  in  1890  to  Newark  Conference, 
and  in  1893  to  Wyoming  Conference. 

On  June  i,  1871,  he  married  Miss  Emily  M.  Greene,  at  Lock- 
port,  N.  Y.,  who  died  on  June  i,  1886,  at  Minneapolis,  Minn., 
where  she  had  gone  to  visit  some  friends.  On  October  10,  1889, 
he  married  Mrs.  Luella  Minshall,  at  Central  City,  Neb. 


Living  Preachers 


389 


His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  Newark  Conference,  1870, 
Sparrowbiish ;  1871,  Centerville  and  Greenville;  1872-73,  New 
City;  1874,  Sergeantsville ;  1875,  sy. ;  1876,  Hibernia;  1877,  New- 
foundland and  West  Milford ;  1878-80,  Buttzville;  1881,  West 
Milford ;  New  Jersey  Conference,  1882,  Dcerfield ;  1883,  Berlin ; 
Nebraska  Conference,  1884,  Exeter;  West  Nebraska  Conference, 
1885-86,  Big  Springs;  1887,  Kearney  Circuit;  1888-89,  Arcadia; 
Newark  Conference;  1890-92,  Buttzville;  Wyoming  Conference; 
1893-94,  Brooklyn;  1895-97,  Middlefield ;  1898,  Lake  Como;  1899, 
Agent  Mallalieu  Seminary ;  1900-03,  sd. 

Reynolds,  Charles  H.,  was  born  on  February  17,  1867,  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  He  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  city, 
when,  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  after  reaching  the  twelfth  grade,  he 
began  to  work  as  wagon  boy  in  a  large 
department  store  at  $2.50  per  week. 
When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  was  con- 
verted at  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  Philadelphia.  Shortly  after 
conversion  he  became  conscious  that  his 
lifework  was  to  be  in  the  ministry.  At 
twenty-one  he  was  filling  the  following 
offices  in  the  Church:  Steward,  trustee, 
Sunday  school  teacher,  exhorter,  class 
leader,  and  assistant  superintendent  in 
the  Sunday  school.  In  1889  he  entered 
Temple  College,  where  he  remained  two 
years. 

He  was  given  local  preacher's  license  in  charles  h.  Reynolds 
1890,  and  in  1891  he  went  as  supply  to 

North  Sanford,  where  he  remained  one  year.  While  here  he 
became  acquainted  with  Miss  Nellie  Beilby,  whom  he  married  in 
June,  1892. 

In  the  spring  of  1892  he  joined  the  Conference,  and  his  pas- 
torates have  been  as  follows:  1892-93,  Ouaquaga;  1894-95, 
Davenport  Center;  1896-98,  Sidney  Center;  1899-1900,  Clark's 
Summit;  1901-02,  Sanitaria  Springs;  1903,  Oak  Street,  Bing- 
hamton. 

Ripley,  Benjamin  P.,  was  born  on  July  18,  1853,  at  Morris, 
N.  Y.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  school  and  at  Fairfield 
Seminary,  in  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.    He  was  converted  in 


390 


Wyoming  Conference 


1870  in  a  revival  conducted  by  Rev.  J. 
W.  Mevis,  and  at  once  united  with  the 
Church.  He  received  exhorter's  hcense 
in  1872  and  local  preacher's  license  in 
1874,  and  in  the  same  year  went  as  sup- 
ply to  Unadilla  Circuit,  now  known  as 
Wells  Bridge.  In  1875  he  joined  the 
Conference. 

While  supplying  Unadilla  Circuit  he 
became  acquainted  with  Miss  Helen 
Laura  Collins,  whom  he  married  on  June 
19,  1876.  Three  children  have  been  born 
to  them — Leroy  O.,  Lena  Claire,  and 
Eva  Mabel. 

BENJAMIN  P.  RIPLEY  Bcforc  entering  the  ministry  he  learned 
the  printer's  trade.  From  1887  to  1889  he 
published  a  parish  monthly  called  The  Pastoral  Visitor,  and  from 
1891  to  1892,  while  stationed  at  Unadilla,  had  editorial  control  of 
The  Times,  of  that  place.   He  is  a  brother  of  Rev.  N.  B.  Ripley. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1875,  Wells  Bridge;  1876- 
77,  Laurens;  1878-80,  Garrattsville ;  1881-83,  Fly  Creek;  1884- 
86,  Westford;  1887-90,  Windsor;  1891-93,  Unadilla;  1894-98, 
Cooperstown;  1899-1900,  Marathon;  1901-03,  Forty  Fort. 

Ripley,  Nelson  B.,  brother  of  Rev.  B.  P.  Ripley,  was  born  on 
January  16,  i860,  in  Morris,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  He  received 
his  education  at  the  village  school  in  Morris,  Wyoming  and  Caze- 
novia  Seminaries.  He  was  converted 
in  early  life,  and  soon  felt  called  to  the 
ministry.  He  received  exhorter's  license 
in  1877,  and  the  following  year  local 
preacher's  license  from  Otsego  District 
Conference.  His  first  preaching  was  to 
the  employees  of  the  cotton  factory  at 
Morris.  In  1882  he  joined  Conference, 
and  at  the  same  session  received  dea- 
con's orders.  Before  entering  Confer- 
ence he  learned  the  printer's  trade. 

He  has  been  contributing  poetic  ar- 
ticles to  the  press  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  1901  a  collection  of  his  poems  was 
published  under  the  title  Cordelia,  and 
Other  Poems  J  which  was  well  received.        nelson  b.  ripley 


Living  Preachers 


391 


On  April  3,  1882,  he  married  Miss  Emma  A.  Shepherd,  of 
Oneonta  Plains,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1882-83,  Westville;  1884- 
86,  Portlandville ;  1887-91,  Afton;  1892-96,  Milford ;  1897-98, 
Scheneviis;  1899-1903,  Otego. 


CHARLES  H.  SEWARD 


Seward,  Charles  Halberton,  was  born  on  January  2,  1871, 
at  Orange,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  The  first  seventeen  years  of  his 
life  were  spent  on  a  farm,  during  which  time  he  had  such  school 
advantages  as  he  could  get  by  working 
summers  and  going  to  school  winters. 
His  mother  dying  when  he  was  seven 
years  old,  left  him  to  be  cared  for  by 
two  older  sisters,  one  of  whom  became 
anxious  about  his  conversion.  Several 
years  passed,  however,  before  that  event 
occurred,  which  was  on  December  2, 
1886.  He  had  been  convicted  in  a  series 
of  revival  meetings  held  in  October  pre- 
vious by  Rev.  C.  H.  Sackett.  On  this 
Sunday  evening,  after  a  sermon  5y  the 
presiding  elder,  he  gave  his  heart  to  God, 
and  soon  united  with  the  Church.  He 
very  soon  felt  called  to  the  ministry,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1890  decided  to  devote  his 

life  to  that  work.  In  the  spring  of  1891  the  Carverton  and 
Orange  Quarterly  Conference  gave  him  an  exhorter's  license, 
and  in  April  of  the  same  year  he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary. 
His  father  having  died  two  years  before  this,  he  was  left  upon 
his  own  resources.  Adverse  circumstances  prevented  his  re- 
maining continuously  at  the  seminary,  and  he  did  not  graduate, 
therefore,  until  1897.  During  this  period  he  did  the  following 
work  as  supply:  Gouldsboro,  1893-94;  Sugar  Notch,  1895.  In 
1896  he  was  sent  to  the  Sherman  Street  Mission,  but  being  unable 
to  speak  Welsh  found  himself  unable  to  carry  on  the  work.  Ac- 
cordingly, in  July  of  that  year,  he  was  sent  to  Bennett  Chapel,  a 
mission  of  Franklin  Street  Church.  He  continued  here  until 
September,  1897,  when  he  entered  Wesleyan  University,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1901  with  the  degree  of  A.B.  During  his 
junior  and  senior  years  in  college  he  was  one  of  the  editors  of  the 
Wesleyan  Argus,  a  weekly  published  by  the  students.  In  1898  he 
was  sent  as  supply  to  Colchester,  Conn.,  where  he  remained  three 
years.  In  1901  he  joined  the  Conference, 


392  Wyoming  Conference 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1901,  assistant  pastor  of 
Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre ;  1902-03,  Choconut  Center. 

Sackett,  Charles  H.,  was  born  on  September  26,  1856,  in 
Plymouth,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm, 
and  attended  the  school  of  his  district,  and  in  his  young  man- 
hood taught  school  four  years.  Pre- 
paratory to  entering  the  ministry  he  at- 
tended Wyoming  Seminary.  He  was 
converted  on  March  10,  1872,  and  soon 
after  joined  the  Church. 

On  February  21,  1877,  he  married 
Miss  Arabella  Crandall. 

He  received  local  preacher's  license  in 
the  spring  of  1879.  After  supplying 
Avoca  in  1880  and  1881  he  joined  the 
Conference  in  1882,  and  was  appointed 
to  Lehman,  Pa. 

His  pastoral    record    is    as  follows : 
1882-84,  Lehman ;  1885-87,  Carverton ; 
CHARLES  H.  SACKETT      1888-S9,    Mcshoppcn ;     1890,  Ncwark 
Valley;  1891-92,  Mount  Upton;  1893- 
96,  Schenevus;  1897-1900,  Bainbridge;  1901-03,  Plains. 


Sabin,  Edward  N.,  was  born  on  September  3,  1843,  Ithaca, 
N.  Y.    He  was  converted  at  twenty-seven  years  of  age  in  a  re- 
vival at  Danby,  N.  Y.    He  is  a  graduate  of  Ithaca  High  School, 
and  during  his  ministerial  life  has  taken 
the  Chautauqua  Literary  and  Scientific 
Course  and  the  studies  in  the  Chautau- 
qua School  of  Theology. 

On  November   i,   1872,  he  married 
Miss  Ella  A.  Patmor,  of  Danby,  N.  Y. 

He  held  a  local  preacher's  license  one 
year  before  joining  the  Conference  in 
1876.  During  this  year  he  alternated 
with  the  preacher  in  charge  in  the  Sun- 
day work  of  the  charge. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows: 
1876-77,  Litchfield;  1878-79,  North  Bar- 
ton; 1880-82,  Speedsville;  1883,  Camp- 
town;  1884-85,  Mehoopany;  1886-88, 
Marathon  and  Killawog;  1889-90,  Mount 


EDWARD  N.  SABIN 


Living  Preachers 


393 


Upton;  1891-97,  sy. ;  1898,  North  Sanfonl 
1900-02,  Chenango  Forks;  1903,  Spencer. 


1899,  Courtdale; 


Serviss,  Joseph  L.,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  on  June  5, 
1877.  He  was  converted  in  1899  in  a  revival  service  in  Leonard 
Street  Church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  joined  this  church  in  July 
of  the  same  year.  He  spent  three  years 
at  Pennington  Seminary,  one  year  at 
Adelphi  College,  Brooklyn,  and  three 
years  at  Drew  Theological  Seminary, 
graduating  from  the  latter  in  the  regular 
course  in  1903.  He  worked  his  way 
through  school.  While  at  Pennington 
he  painted,  cut  grass,  and  waited  on 
table ;  while  at  Adelphi  he  sold  tea  and 
coffee ;  and  while  at  Drew  he  preached 
one  year  as  supply,  and  set  type  for  two 
years,  part  of  which  time  he  spent  in  the 
composing  room  of  the  Methodist  Book 
Concern  in  New  York. 

He  joined  this  Conference  in  1903, 
and  was  appointed  to  Davenport  charge.      Joseph  l.  serviss 

Sanford,  Luman  E.,  was  born  on  May  10,  1863,  in  Preston 
township,  Wayne  County,  Pa.  His  father  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  more  than  fifty  years,  and  his  grand- 
father more  than  seventy  years.  His 
great-uncle,  Rev.  Luman  Sanford,  was 
an  itinerant  under  Asbury,  and  his  uncle. 
Rev.  Isaac  Sanford,  is  a  member  of  the 
New  York  East  Conference,  and  now 
(1902)  eighty-seven  years  old. 

He  was  converted  and  received  into 
the  Church  in  1886,  and  with  his  conver- 
sion came  the  call  to  preach.  In  Sep- 
tember of  1886  he  received  local  preach- 
er's license  by  the  Lake  Como  Quarterly 
Conference.  Prior  to  this  his  occupa- 
tion had  been  farming,  lumbering,  teach- 
ing, and  clerking  in  a  general  store.  He 
had  three  terms  of  school  work  at  Mount 
Pleasant  Academy,  and  in  November, 
1884,  graduated  from  the  Wyoming  Commercial  College.  In  1890 


LUMAN  E.  SANFORD 


394 


Wyoming  Conference 


he  graduated  from  the  classical  course  in  Wyoming  Seminary, 
and  in  1893  he  graduated  from  Drew  Theological  Seminary.  Dur- 
ing two  years*  of  his  stay  at  Drew  he  supplied  the  church  at  New 
Dover,  N.  J. 

On  April  27,  1893,  he  married  Miss  Lizzie  J.  Dix,  of  Long 
Island  Pond,  Pa. 

He  received  deacon's  orders  in  1891,  joined  the  Conference  in 
1893,  and  in  1896  was  received  into  full  membership  and  given 
elder's  orders. 

He  published  in  1903,  under  the  pseudonym  of  "Kirk  Parson," 
a  railroad  story  of  real  life,  entitled  On  the  Mountain 
Division. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1893-95,  Mountain  Top; 
1896-98,  Ariel;  1899-1903,  Nicholson. 

Santee,  Elijah  L.,  was  born  on  August  6,  1848,  in  Fair- 
mount  township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  He  was  raised  on  his 
father's  farm,  attending  school  at  the  Oakland  schoolhouse. 


When  seventeen  he  spent  one  term  in  the 
New  Columbus  Academy.  At  nineteen 
he  began  teaching,  and  taught  seven 
terms.  In  1873,  believing  it  his  duty  to 
preach,  and  having  already  received  an 
exhorter's  license,  he  went  to  Wyoming 
Seminary  to  make  preparation  for  his 
lifework.  With  six  terms'  work  he  grad- 
uated in  the  scientific  course.  He 
joined  the  Conference  in  1876. 

On  April  9,  1879,  ^e  married  Miss 
Georgiana  Atherton,  of  Taylor,  Pa.,  who 
died  in  Wilkes-Barre  on  October  16, 
1887.    One  son  was  born  to  them.  On 


ELIJAH  L.  SANTEE        August  7,  1889,  hc  marHcd  Mrs.  Flor- 
ence A.  Rood,  daughter  of  Mr.  Hender- 
son Harrison,  of  Union  township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  Two 
daughters  have  been  born   to  them — Mary  Arlein  and  Eva 
Areta. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1876-78,  Taylorville;  1879- 
81,  Parrish  Street,  Wilkes-Barre;  1882,  Dallas  and  Trucksville; 
1883-85,  Parsons;  1886,  Avoca;  1887-89,  Parrish  Street,  Wilkes- 
Barre;  1890-91,  Montrose;  1892,  New  Milford;  1893-94,  Cedar 
Avenue,  Scranton ;  1895-98,  Lackawanna;  1899-1902,  West  Nan- 
ticoke;  1903,  Taylor. 


Living  Preachers 


395 


Shepard,  Charles  D.,  was  born  on  November  2,  1832,  in  the 
village  of  Little  Falls,  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.   His  parents  were 
.  charter  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Little 
Falls.    When  nine  years  old  he  went  to 
the  altar  as  a  seeker  of  salvation,  during 
a  revival  service.  The  altar  was  crowded, 
and  he  was  unnoticed.    Again,  at  eight- 
een, he  sought  Christ  and  found  him,  and 
at  once  united  with  the  Church  of  which 
his  parents   were  members.     He  had 
learned   the  carpenter   and  millwright 
trade,  but  now  felt  deeply  impressed  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  preach.    He  had  at- 
tended the  public  school,  and  the  year  fol- 
lowing his  conversion  entered  the  acad- 
emy at  Little  Falls.   Lack  of  means  com- 
pelled him  to  leave  school  and  work  at 
his  trade.   Later,  however,  he  spent  some     charles  d.  shepard 
time  in  study  at  Falley  Seminary,  in 

Fulton  County,  N.  Y.  While  a  student  in  the  seminary  in  1855 
he  was  licensed  to  exhort  by  Rev.  Isaac  L.  Hunt,  of  the  Black 
River  Conference.  On  returning  home  he  was  given  local 
preacher's  license  by  the  Quarterly  Conference  of  Little  Falls 
Church.  In  the  spring  of  1856  he  went  to  Chicago  and  engaged 
in  work  at  his  trade,  and  united  with  the  Park  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  In  a  short  time  he  was  recommended  to  the 
presiding  elder  to  fill  a  vacancy  on  the  Naperville  Circuit,  Naper- 
ville.  111.  He  accepted  the  position,  at  a  sacrifice  to  his  income. 
In  the  fall  of  1856  he  was  excused  from  his  work  on  the  circuit 
in  order  that  he  might  attend  Garrett  Biblical  Institute.  In  1858 
he  returned  to  Little  Falls.  After  having  been  a  local  preacher 
several  years  he  was  recommended  to  the  Black  River  Conference 
for  admission  and  deacon's  orders.  He  received  the  deacon's  or- 
ders on  April  27,  1862,  at  Oswego,  N.  Y.  Preferring  to  join  the 
Oneida  Conference,  he  presented  his  recommendation  for  ad- 
mission there,  but  the  bishop  ruled  that  it  could  not  be  received. 
Subsequently  on  presenting  it  to  the  Black  River  Conference, 
the  Conference  refused  to  receive  him  on  the  ground  that  he  had 
preferred  Oneida.  He  resumed  work  at  his  trade  and  continued 
several  years.  In  1866  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  the  Lowell 
charge,  on  the  Oneida  District.  At  the  end  of  the  year  he  was 
recommended  to  the  Conference  for  admission,  and  received 

(1867). 


396 


Wyoming  Conference 


On  September  21,  1858,  he  married  Aliss  Adaline  C.  Hunt,  of 
Little  Falls,  N.  Y.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Miss  Mary  G. 
Brown,  of  New  Berlin,  N.  Y.,  in  April,  1873,  who  passed  away 
at  Lisle,  on  August  30,  1902.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  his 
home,  five  of  whom  are  living.  His  oldest  son  is  a  graduate  of 
Syracuse  University,  and  is  now  a  member  of  Northern  New 
York  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1867,  Brookfield ;  1868,  Pres- 
ton;  1869,  New  Berlin;  1870-71,  Harpursville ;  1872-73,  Windsor; 
1874-75,  North  Fenton;  1876-77,  Whitney's  Point;  1878-79, 
Vestal;  1880-82,  Maine;  1883-84,  North  Barton;  1885-87,  Flem- 
ingville;  1888-91,  Springville ;  1892,  Afton;  1893-95,  Sidney 
Center;  1896-98,  Davenport  Center;  1899-1900,  Castle  Creek; 
J901-03,  Lisle. 


vSantee,  Joseph  B.,  was  born  on  December  30,  1842,  in  Fair- 
mount  township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  He  attended  the  school 
near  his  home,  and  was  one  year  at  New  Columbus  Academy. 

He  was  converted  in  November,  1858, 
at  Grads  appointment,  on  the  Blooming- 
dale  Circuit,  in  Baltimore  Conference, 
and  joined  the  Church  in  November, 
1858.  He  was  licensed  to  exhort  in 
September,  1866,  and  received  local 
preacher's  license  in  October,  1867.  He 
joined  the  Conference  in  1870,  received 
deacon's  orders  in  1872  and  elder's  or- 
ders in  1875. 

He  served  as  a  private  in  the  3d  Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry  during  the  last  year  of 
the  war  of  the  rebellion. 

On   February   6,    1869,   he  married 
Miss   Celestia  E.   Compton,   of  Falls, 
Wyoming  County, 
He  served   Campville   as   supply  one 
Conference. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1870-71,  Hornbrook; 
1872,  Barton;  1873-74,  Vestal;  1875,  Lehman;  1876-78,  North 
Abington;  1879,  Preston;  1880-81,  South  New  Berhn ;  1882, 
Edmeston ;  1883-84,  Springville ;  1885-86,  Northmoreland ;  1887- 
89,  Wyalusing;  1890-91,  Meshoppen ;  1892,  sd. ;  1893,  Le  Rays- 
ville;  1894,  Whitney's  Point;  1895-1903,  sd. 


JOSEPH  B.  SANTEE 


Pa. 

year   before  joining 


Living  Preachers 


397 


Sir  AW,  William  Marion;  was  born  on  January  26,  1848,  at 
Lemon,  Pa.  He  was  converted  in  1868 
and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  at  once.  He  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  under  private  tutors. 
Until  he  joined  Conference  his  work  was 
chiefly  that  of  farming. 

On  February  7,  1867,  he  married  Miss 
Hattie  L.  Shales,  of  Lemon,  Pa. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1887,  and 
his  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
1887-89,  Randolph;  1890,  Laurens  and 
Oneonta  Plains;  1891-93,  Plymouth, 
N.  Y. ;  1894-96,  Pleasant  Mount;  1897- 
1900,  East  Worcester;  1901,  Kirkwood; 

1902-03,  North  Fenton.  william  m.  shaw 


Shipman,  Isaac  Newton,  was  born  August  9,  1849,  in  Brock- 
ville,  Canada.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  taught  school  for  a  short 
time,  then  learned  telegraphy,  after  which 
he  worked  two  years  in  a  hardware  store. 
Going  to  New  York  he  found  employ- 
ment in  a  wholesale  brush  house,  where 
he  remained  about  two  years.  After  work- 
ing in  a  commercial  agency  about  one 
year  he  entered  the  service  of  his  uncle 
in  the  building  business.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  he  was  called  to  preach,  and 
received  a  local  preacher's  license  on 
February  22,  1878.  In  the  fall  of  the 
same  year  he  entered  Drew  Theological 
Seminary,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
1882.  He  received  deacon's  orders  in 
1882,  and  joined  this  Conference  in  1883. 
On  September  16,  1870,  he  married 
Miss  Julia  E.  Cocks,  of  New  York  city. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1883,  Speedsville;  1884-86, 
Lackawanna;  1887-90,  Sherburne;  1891-94,  Hawley;  1895-97, 
Montrose;  1898-1900,  Chenango  Street,  Binghamton;  1901-02, 
Susquehanna;  1903,  Oxford. 


ISAAC  N.  SHIPMAN 


SiMPKiNS,  Samuel  C,  was  born  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  Sep- 
tember 18,  1854,  and  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Isaac  Simpkins,  pastor 


398 


Wyoming  Conference 


of  the  inrst  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  that  city  for  some 

years.  He  moved  from  Atlantic  City 
with  his  parents  to  Waterford,  N.  J.,  in 
the  year  1861.  On  September  3,  1863, 
his  father  died,  leaving  five  children,  of 
whom  Samuel  was  the  oldest.  Samuel 
and  his  younger  brother,  David,  began 
work  at  once  in  a  planing  mill  and  a 
glass  factory,  and  their  combined  earn- 
ings amounted  to  only  sixteen  dollars  a 
month.  With  this  their  mother  kept  the 
family  together.  In  the  year  1864  they 
moved  to  a  small  place  near  Philadelphia, 
known  then  as  Tansboro,  but  which  has 
since  been  changed  to  Wilson.  Here 
SAMUEL  c.  siMPKiNs  ^ith  two  brothcrs,  David  and  John, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  secured  work  in 
a  glass  factory,  and  in  addition  to  his  work  in  the  glass  factory 
Samuel  sold  papers  morning  and  evening.  This  gave  them  an 
income  of  forty  dollars  a  month.  In  the  spring  of  1865  the 
family  moved  to  Fislenville,  N.  J.,  a  little  town  of  about  six  hun- 
dred inhabitants,  but  now  a  beautiful  borough  of  four  hundred 
inhabitants,  named  Clayton. 

In  1867  Mrs.  Simpkins  married  a  Mr.  Aaron  Daniels,  but  in 
three  months  after  she  was  again  left  a  widow.  Mr.  Daniels 
died  of  apoplexy  of  the  heart  and  was  buried  April  10,  1867. 
From  that  time  the  children,  five  in  number,  have  been  scattered 
in  different  parts  of  the  country  and  have  seen  but  very  little  of 
each  other.  David  went  to  Brighton,  N.  J. ;  Morris  to  English 
Creek,  near  Atlantic  City;  and  Anna,  the  only  sister,  to  Port 
Morris,  N.  J.   John  and  Samuel  remained  at  Clayton. 

On  September  13,  1871,  Samuel  was  apprenticed  to  the  firm  of 
Moore  Brothers,  to  learn  the  glass-blower's  trade.  On  December 
18,  he  was  converted  and  joined  the  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  Clayton,  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  George  H. 
Hitchens.  In  the  following  spring  he  was  elected  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school,  which  position  he  held  for  eight  consecutive 
years.  On  November  12,  1872,  he  was  appointed  as  class  leader 
for  the  young  people's  class,  and  held  the  position  while  he  re- 
mained there. 

On  January  22,  1873,  he  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Jackson,  of 
Clayton,  N.  J. 

In  the  year  1880  he  moved  to  Salem,  N.  J.,  and  became 


Living  Preachers 


399 


a  member  of  the  old  historic  Walnut  Street  Church.  In  1882 
was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  by  the  Rev.  C.  E.  Hill,  pre- 
siding elder  of  the  Bridgeton  District  of  the  New  Jersey  Confer- 
ence. He  at  once  began  to  prepare  himself  for  this  work,  and 
after  five  years  of  preparation  was  about  to  become  a  member  of 
the  New  Jersey  Conference  when  he  decided  that  he  would  be 
unequal  to  the  requirements  of  a  charge.  He  therefore  secured 
a  position  in  the  glass  factory  at  Hawley,  this  State,  and  began 
work  at  his  trade.  In  February,  1888,  Rev.  J.  V.  Newell,  pastor 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Hawley,  and  a  member  of 
the  Wyoming  Conference,  without  consulting  Rev.  Mr.  Simpkins, 
recommended  him,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence, to  be  admitted  to  the  traveling  connection  as  a  member  of 
the  Wyoming  Conference,  and  on  April  18,  1888,  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Conference. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1888-89,  Canaan ;  1890-94, 
Moscow;  1895-99,  Peckville;  1900-03,  Hawley. 

Simpson,  William  Glen,  D.D.,  the  son  of  Peter  Simpson, 
and  Caroline  Ritchie,  was  born  on  November  4,  1850,  in  Inverary, 
Argyleshire,  Scotland.    He  was  educated  in  the  common  school 
until  1863,  when  he  was  indentured  with 
a  law  firm,  where  he  remained  until  1869, 
when  he  sailed  for  Canada,  landing  in 
October  of  that  year.    In  1870  he  came 
to  the  United  States  and  entered  Harvard 
Divinity  School,  purposing  to  enter  the 
Unitarian   ministry.    After  two  years' 
study  in  this  school  he  entered  commer- 
cial life.    In  July,  1873,  he  went  West, 
enlisting  in  the  2d  United  States  Caval- 
ry, and  engaged  in  the  Indian  wars  in 
Wyoming  Territory.  In  November,  1874, 
while  a  soldier,  he  was  converted  under 
the  ministry  of  Rev.  T.  C.  Iliff,  pastor 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at      wit.t.iam  g.  simpson 
Bozeman,  Mont.    Through  the  personal 

effort  of  one  of  the  bishops  the  President  discharged  him  from 
service  on  April  5,  1875,  and  the  same  day  he  became  a  Methodist 
preacher.  In  August,  1875,  he  united  with  Rocky  Mountain  Con- 
ference, at  Salt  Lake  City.  He  came  East,  and  after  spending  a 
couple  of  years  at  Drew  Theological  Seminary,  he  was  transferred 
to  Wyoming  Conference  in  1891. 


400 


Wyoming  Conference 


On  July  12,  1877,  he  married  Miss  Anna  Moore,  the  oldest 
daughter  of  Judge  M.  B.  Moore,  of  Idaho  City. 

The  degree  of  D.D,  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  Northwest 
University  of  Portland,  Ore. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  Rocky  ^Mountain  Conference, 
1875-77,  Silver  City,  Ida.;  by  change  of  boundaries,  Columbia 
River  Conference,  1876-78,  Boise  City;  1879-80,  Walla  Walla; 
Oregon  Conference,  1880-81,  East  Portland;  Nevada  Conference, 
1881-83,  Virginia  City;  Oregon  Conference,  1883-85,  Eugene  City, 
1885-86,  Ashland;  Columbia  River  Conference,  1886-90,  The 
Dalles;  1890-91,  at  Drew  Seminary;  Wyoming  Conference,  1891- 
93,  Oxford;  1894,  High  Street,  Binghamton ;  1895-98,  West 
Pittston;  1899-1901,  Asbury,  Scranton ;  1902-03,  Athens. 

Seversox,  Oscar  L.,  D.D.,  is  the  son  of  Rev.  George  A. 
Severson  and  was  born  in  Albany  County,  N.  Y.,  on  January  22, 
1845.  When  one  year  old  his  parents  moved  to  Broome  County 
and  settled  near  Binghamton,  and  later 
moved  into  Binghamton.  Here  he  re- 
ceived academic  training,  doing  janitor 
work  for  his  tuition.  Some  time  was 
spent  at  an  Episcopal  academy  at  Har- 
pursville,  N.  Y.,  studying  mathematics 
and  languages.  In  1862  he  left  school 
and  enlisted  in  the  137th  Regiment  New 
York  ^^olunteers,  and  served  three  years. 
He  was  in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg,  and  Lookout  Mountain.  He 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  battle  of 
Wauhatchie. 

He  was  converted  when  a  boy,  re- 
ceived exhorter's  license  in  1875  from 
Rev.  S.  J.  Austin,  at  Moscow,  Pa.,  and 
local  preacher's  license  in  1876,  and  two  weeks  later  joined  the 
Conference. 

In  1888  he  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  from  U.  S.  Grant  Uni- 
versity; in  1890  Ph.D.  from  Albuquerque  College,  New  Mexico, 
upon  examination;  and  in  1901  D.D.  from  Wiley  University,  of 
Texas. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1876-78,  Parrish  Street, 
Wilkes-Barre ;  1879-81,  Smyrna;  1882-84,  Great  Bend;  1885-87, 
High  Street,  Binghamton;  1888-91,  Factoryville ;  1892-93,  Sayre; 
1894-98,  Plymouth,  Pa.;  1899-1903,  West  Pittston. 


Living  Preachers 


401 


Singer,  Edgar  Benton,  was  born  on  January  25,  1866,  in 
White  Haven,  Pa.    His  father  was  a  hmiberman,  and  therefore 
lived  in  rural  districts.    The  schools  were  not  very  efficient,  being 
ungraded.    Such  education  as  could  be 
had  he  secured  in  these  schools.    In  his 
boyhood  he  became  accustomed  to  farm 
work  and  knew  how  to  draw  a  saw  or 
swing  an  ax  in  the  woods.     When  the 
family  was  living  at  Riffletown,  Pa.,  he 
was  at  home  and  helping  in  cleaning  up 
a  farm.    His  heart  was  tender  and  sen- 
sitive to  spiritual  influences.    His  father 
gave  him  excellent  counsel.    He  fre- 
quently petitioned  God  to  lead  him  into 
light  that  he  might  become  right.  At 
this  time  he  felt  that  he  was  to  do  work 
for  God.    But  the  way  did  not  open  for 
him  to  make  any  expression  on  the  sub-        edgar  b.  singer 
ject.    Several  times  he  resolved  to  be  a 

Christian  but  his  ardor  cooled.  He  wandered  from  God,  and  the 
thought  that  he  would  preach  seemed  never  to  be  realized,  a  boyish 
fancy.  The  sickness  and  death  of  a  brother  profoundly  moved 
him.  About  this  time,  or  soon  after,  a  revival  was  held  in  the 
schoolhouse  near  his  home.  This  was  in  1886.  He  repented  of 
his  sins,  presented  himself  at  the  altar,  and  was  converted.  The 
thought  then  occurred  to  him,  ''Now  I  can  preach."  He  strug- 
gled nearly  a  year  with  his  convictions.  His  father  encouraged 
him. 

On  November  26,  1887,  the  Quarterly  Conference  of  Schloyer- 
ville  charge,  in  the  Central  Pennsylvania  Conference,  gave  him 
a  local  preacher's  license.  Feeling  his  need  of  an  education,  he 
worked  during  the  summer  of  1888  and  earned  enough  to  enter 
Wyoming  Seminary  in  the  fall.  He  spent  four  years  here  pre- 
paring for  college.  During  two  years  of  his  work  in  the  semi- 
nary he  acted  as  supply  pastor — a  year  and  three  months  at  Glen 
Lyon,  and  nine  months  at  West  Nanticoke.  He  graduated  from 
Wesleyan  University  in  1897  with  the  degree  of  Ph.B.,  doing 
supply  work  two  years  during  the  course.  The  same  year  he 
joined  Wyoming  Conference,  securing  deacon's  orders  at  the 
same  session  of  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1897,  Noxen ;  1898-1900,  Mid- 
dlefield;  1901-02,  assistant.  Elm  Park,  Scranton;  1903,  Great 
Bend. 

26 


402 


Wyoming  Confere^^(CE 


Smith^  Charles,  was  born  on  Mayio,  1849,  Howard,  Steu- 
ben County,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  at  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
and  at  twenty-seven  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

§He  attended  the  Alford  Seminary  and 
University  about  nine  years,  graduating 
from    the    seminary.     After    being  in 
the  ministry  of  the  Baptist  Church  about 
twelve  years  he  entered  the  evangehstic 
work,  in  which  he  continued  about  two 
years.    While  in  this  work  he  published 
a  hymn  book  for  revival  work,  a  series 
of  tracts  designed  for  evangelistic  work, 
and  a  monthly  paper,  which  was  used  as 
an  aid  in  his  work. 
On  October  10,  1882,  he  married  Miss 
Mary  E.  Johnson,  of  Yorkshire,  Catta- 
raugus County,  N.  Y.,  who  died  January 
CHARLES  SMITH         6,  1 889.   Ou  Jauuary  9,  1890,  he  married 
Miss  Sarah  F.  Depew,  of  Canandaigua. 
In  1 89 1  he  joined  Wyoming  Conference,  being  received  on  his 
credentials  from  the  Baptist  Church.    His  pastorates  have  been  as 
follows:  1891-95,  Choconut  Center;  1896-98,  Oak  Street,  Bing- 
hamton;  1899-1902,  New  Milford ;  1903,  sd. 

Smith,  Howard  D.,  was  born  on  March  31,  1859,  at  Willow 
Grove,  Del.  He  was  converted  in  1875  in  Thomas  Chapel,  Dela- 
ware. In  this  same  chapel  his  brothers  Alfred  and  Frank  were 
converted,  who  are  now  in  the  ministry. 
He  is  a  graduate  of  Wyoming  Seminary, 
and  Drew  Theological  Seminary. 

On  April  2,  1891,  he  married  Miss  Eva 
Salmons,  of  Dover,  Del. 
.  In  1890  he  joined  the  Black  Hills  Mis- 
sion Conference,  and  was  stationed  at 
Hot  Springs,  S.  Dak.  At  the  same  time 
he  was  professor  of  natural  sciences  in 
Black  Hills  College,  located  at  Hot 
Springs.  In  December,  1891,  he  trans- 
ferred to  West  Wisconsin  Conference, 
and  in  1899  to  Wyoming  Conference. 

His  pastorates  with  us  have  been : 
1899-1900,  Lehman;  1901-02,  Brooklyn, 

Pa. ;  1903,  New  Milford.  howard  d.  smith 


Living  Preachers 


403 


Smith,  Irving  J.,  was  born  on  April  24,  1849,  Liberty  Falls, 
N.  Y.  In  his  early  clays  he  was  clerk,  bookkeeper,  and  school- 
teacher. In  1879  he  graduated  from  De  Pauw  University,  with 
the  degree  of  B.S.  He  was  converted  at 
ten  years  of  age.  In  1872  he  was  li- 
censed as  a  local  preacher,  at  Clinton, 
Ind.,  and  joined  the  North  Indiana  Con- 
ference in  1874.  In  1886  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  this  Conference. 

In  1872  he  married  Miss  Georgia  I. 
Boyce,  at  Jenningsville,  N.  Y.  Two  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  them — Lillie  M., 
now  the  wife  of  V.  D.  Keeler,  editor  of 
the  Rocket,  at  Wyalusing,  Pa.,  and  Rev. 
Charles  W.,  a  member  of  the  Wilming- 
ton Conference. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
North    Indiana    Conference,  1874-75, 
Raysville;  1876,  Williamsburg; 
Larwill;  1879-80,  Silver  Lake; 
Mexico ;  Wyoming  Conference, 
shire;  1892,  Taylorville ;  1893-96,  Wyalusing;  1897-98,  Nichols; 
1899-1900,  Slaterville;  1901-03,  Meshoppen. 


IRVING  J.  SMITH 
1877-78, 

1881-83,  La  Fountain;  1884-86, 
1887-88,  Danby;  1889-91,  Berk- 


SiBLEY,  Edgar,  was  born  on  February  i,  1824,  in  the  town  of 
Sand  Lake,  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.  He  had  but  limited  op- 
portunities for  education,  having  been  sent  to  school  but  two 
winters.  Subsequently  he  studied  with  the  help  of  his  wife,  and 
with  Rev.  N.  S.  De  Witt.  He  also  found  help  in  a  school-teacher 
by  the  name  of  Matilda  Ward.  His  religious  privileges  were  few, 
as  he  seldom  went  to  church.  He  had  to  work  hard  on  the  farm, 
and  thought  his  clothing  was  not  presentable.  He  was  con- 
verted on  February  16,  1843,  ^^^^  father's  house,  while  his 
pastor  was  making  a  prayer,  and  soon  joined  the  Church.  Before 
he  was  licensed  to  exhort  he  held  a  series  of  meetings  in  an  un- 
churched neighborhood,  which  resulted  in  over  sixty  conversions, 
two  of  the  converts  becoming  preachers — Finch  and  Marcy. 
After  many  conflicts  with  himself,  because  he  thought  himself 
unfit,  he  at  last  yielded  and  received  license  to  exhort  from  the 
Lebanon  charge,  N.  Y.,  on  June  8,  1849.  Local  preacher's  license 
was  given  him  April  24,  1852,  by  the  Osborne  Hollow  charge. 
He  did  some  work  as  supply  prior  to  joining  Conference  in  1854. 
He  received  deacon's  orders  in  1857  and  elder's  orders  in  1859. 


404 


Wyoming  Conference 


He  has  been  twice  married.  On  April  12,  1848,  he  married 
]\liss  Rachel  L.  Everets,  and  on  October  20,  1861,  he  married 
Miss  Xancy  M.  Stephens. 

Since  1880  he  has  resided  at  Hawleyton,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1854,  Nichols;  1855,  South 
Danby;  1856,  Shepherd's  Creek;  1857,  Wyalusing;  1858-59,  Little 
]\Ieadow's ;  1860-61,  Windham;  1862-63,  Vestal;  1864-65,  Castle 
Creek;  1866-67,  Maine;  1868,  Kirkwood ;  1869-70,  North  Fenton ; 
1871-72,  Broome;  1873-74,  Hawleyton;  1875-76,  Caroline;  1877- 
78,  Danby;  1879,  Rome;  1880-1903,  sd. 

Stevens,  Samuel  G.,  was  born  on  February  29,  1824,  in  the 
town  of  Chester,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.  He  w^as  raised  on  a 
farm  and  had  the  advantages  of  such  schools  as  farming  districts 

afforded.  He  was  converted  when  eight- 
een years  of  age,  in  a  revival  service 
held  at  a  small  village  near  his  home 
called  Sugar  Loaf.  However,  he  had 
always  been  a  praying  boy.  About  a 
year  after  conversion  he  felt  called  to 
the  ministry.  He  felt  his  need  of  fur- 
ther education,  and,  upon  advice  of  a 
friend,  started  for  Pennington  Seminary 
without  means  and  not  knowing  how^  he 
W'Ould  get  through.  He  remained  at  the 
seminary  one  term,  and  then  returned 
home.  Shortly  after  returning  he  was 
asked  to  supply  the  work  of  a  preacher 
SAMUEL  G.  STEVENS  st  Ncw  Prospect,  in  the  New  Jersey 
Conference,  who  was  sick.  He  then 
taught  school  about  six  months,  preaching  as  opportunity  offered. 
In  1846  he  received  local  preacher's  license  from  the  presiding 
elder  of  Paterson  District  of  the  New  Jersey  Conference.  In 
1847  he  joined  the  New  York  Conference,  and  in  1854  he  was 
transferred  to  this  Conference.  Under  the  guidance  of  his  pre- 
siding elder.  Dr.  Nelson  Rounds,  he  studied  Greek  and  Hebrew, 
and  in  about  two  years  had  such  command  of  the  languages  as  to 
read  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  in  the  original  languages. 
After  retiring  from  active  work,  on  account  of  impaired  speech 
from  throat  trouble,  he  became  interested  in  work  for  the  blind, 
and  in  connection  with  "The  Society  for  Providing  Evangelical 
and  Religious  Literature  for  the  Blind"  has  been  the  means  of 
raising  considerable  money. 


Living  Preachers  405 

In  1850  he  married  Miss  Jane  E.  Leach,  of  Windsor,  Broome 
County,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  New  York  Conference,  1847, 
Marbleton;  1848,  Catskill ;  1849,  Deposit;  1850,  Cannonsville ; 
1851,  Callicoon;  1852-53,  Liberty,  N.  Y. ;  Wyoming  Conference, 
1854,  Thompson  Mission;  1855-56,  Lanesboro;  1857-58,  Maine; 
1859-60,  Liberty,  Pa.;  1861,  Spencer;  1862-63,  Flemingville ; 
1864-65,  Orwell;  1866,  Tallmansville ;  1867-75,  sy. ;  1876-1903, 
sd. 

Sprague,  Levi  L.,  D.D.,  was  born  on  December  23,  1844,  in 
Beekman,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.  He  is  from  Yankee  stock  for 
six  generations  on  both  sides  of  his  family.  He  was  converted 
at  thirteen  years  of  age  and  joined  the 
church  at  Le  Raysville,  while  teaching 
there  in  the  winter  of  1865-66.  He  at- 
tended district  school,  Le  Raysville 
Academy,  of  which  he  was  subsequently 
the  principal,  and  graduated  from  Wy- 
oming Seminary  in  1868.  In  the  fall  of 
1868  he  became  principal  of  the  Business 
College  which  is  in  connection  with  Wy- 
oming Seminary,  which  position  he  filled 
fourteen  years.  During  this  time  he  cov- 
ered a  course  of  study  equivalent  to  the 
regular  college  course.  In  1882  he  be- 
came president  of  the  seminary,  which 
position  he  still  occupies.  levi  l.  sprague 

He  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  from 
Allegheny  College  in  1877,  and  D.D.  from  Wesleyan  University 
in  1886. 

On  December  22,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Jennie  E.  Russell,  of 
Otego,  N.  Y.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  them,  two  of 
whom  are  living — E.  Russell,  M.D.,  and  Laura  J. 

He  is  the  author  of  Practical  Bookkeeper^  Practical  Speller,  and 
Practical  Gram  mar. 

He  has  been  a  trustee  of  Syracuse  University  for  some 
time. 

Wyoming  Conference  has  twice  honored  him  by  an  election  to 
General  Conference,  in  1892  and  1896. 

SouTHwoRTH,  JoSEPH  S.,  was  born  on  September  7,  1840,  at 
Edmeston,  N.  Y.   He  attended  district  school  until  sixteen  years 


4o6 


Wyoming  Conference 


of  age,  when  he  entered  West  Winfield  Academy.    Here  he 

studied  vnitil  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
teaching  winters  and  attending  the  school 
summers.  From  this  time  until  he  joined 
the  Conference  in  1874  he  was  teaching 
most  of  the  time.  At  four  years  of  age 
he  commenced  attending  Sunday  school, 
and  at  twelve  was  converted  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  William  Burnside.  He 
early  felt  called  to  the  ministry,  but  did 
not  yield  to  it  for  years.  He  received 
exhorter's  and  local  preacher's  licenses 
from  the  Edmeston  Church. 

On  March  8,  1864,  he  married  Miss 
Ellen  yi.  Robinson,  of  Edmeston,  N.  Y. 

He  is  now  engaged  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  Norwich,  N.  Y. 
His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1874-75,  Laurens;  1876,  Sid- 
ney Plains;  1877-78,  :\Iorris ;  1879-80,  Westford ;  1881,  Middle- 
field;  1882-85,  sy.;   1886-88,  Plymouth,  X.  Y. ;   1889-90,  Fly 
Creek;  1891-95,  sy. ;  1896-1903,  sd. 


J.  S.  SOUTHWORTH 


Stang,  William  Henry,  was  born  on  December  20,  185 1,  at 
Russell  Hill,  Pa.  He  was  converted  when  about  fourteen  years 
of  age,  and  joined  the  Church  in  1871.  He  was  raised  on  a 
farm,  clerked  in  stores  in  Chicago  two 
years,  and  has  taught  nine  terms  of 
school.  He  attended  Dearborn  Gram- 
mar School,  in  Chicago,  one  term,  and 
graduated  from  Wyoming  Seminary  in 

1882.  He  received  deacon's  orders  in 

1883,  and,  after  supplying  Randolph 
charge  one  year,  joined  the  Conference 
in  1884.  He  was  ordained  an  elder  in 
1888  at  the  Conference  session  held  in 
Oneonta,  N.  Y. 

On  February  26,  1885,  he  married 
Miss  Mabel  Allen,  at  Calkins,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1884, 
Randolph;  1885,  Thompson;  1886-87, 
Exeter  and  Schuyler's  Lake;  1888-92, 

Auburn;  1893-97,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1898-1900,  Little  ^Meadows ; 
1901-02,  Spencer;  1903,  Shavertown. 


WILLIAM  H.  STAXG 


Living  Preachers 


407 


Stone,  G.  Barto,  was  born  on  July  28,  1861,  at  Pittston,  Pa. 
He  attended  select  and  public  schools  at  West  Pittston.  He  was 
converted  in  January,  1879,  ^  revival  conducted  by  the  pas- 
tor. Rev.  A.  Griffin,  and  united  with  the 
Church  at  once.  He  taught  school  two 
years,  after  which  he  became  a  civil  en- 
gineer, working  for  the  Pennsylvania 
Coal  Company  and  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Railroad.  In  1882,  while  thus  engaged, 
he  felt  called  to  the  ministry,  and  the 
next  year  resigned  his  position  on  the 
engineering  corps  and  entered  Wyo- 
ming Seminary,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1885.  He  then  entered  Drew 
Theological  Seminary  and  graduated  in 
1888.  The  same  year  he  united  with  the 
Conference,  receiving  deacon's  orders  at 
the  same  session.  Since  1899  he  has  g.  barto  stone 
been  in  charge  of  the  department  of  sci- 
ences in  the  U.  S.  Grant  University.  At  the  same  time  he  has 
been  pursuing  studies  in  the  university,  graduating  in  1901  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy.  Upon  the  reception  of  this 
degree  Drew  Theological  Seminary  granted  him  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Divinity. 

He  received  his  exhorter's  license  in  1883,  and  local  preacher's 
license  in  1884. 

On  May  22,  1888,  he  married  Miss  Jennie  H.  Drake,  of 
Stroudsburg,  Pa.,  who  died  at  Narrowsburg,  N.  Y.,  on  August 
3,  1889. 

He  has  written  several  short  stories  for  the  Northern  Chris- 
tian Advocate,  among  which  are  ''Bert's  Triumph,"  and  "The 
Beggarly  Elements." 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1888-89,  Narrowsburg; 
1890-92,  Falls;  1893-94,  Masonville;  1895-98,  Forest  City; 
1899-1903,  at  school,  Athens,  Pa. 

Sumner,  John  B.,  was  born  on  March  25,  1838,  at  Wyalusing, 
Pa.  At  sixteen  years  of  age  he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary, 
where  he  remained  three  years,  during  which  time  he  was  con- 
verted and  joined  the  Kingston  Church.  During  the  last  year 
at  the  seminary  he  taught  some  of  the  classes,  also  vocal  music. 
He  taught  common  school  four  winters,  and  singing  school  about 
fifteen  years.    For  some  time  he  was  a  farmer  and  for  several 


4o8 


Wyoming  Conference 


years  was  a  merchant  in  Wyalusing.    In  1869  he  retired  from 

mercantile  hfe  and  joined  the  Confer- 
ence. He  is  one  of  the  Wyoming  Con- 
ference Trio,  and  has  composed  a  number 
of  musical  pieces  which  have  become  al- 
most Vv'orld-wide,  among  them  ''Child  of 
a  King,"  and  "Tangle-Foot  Alley." 

On  December  25,  1864,  he  married 
Miss  Lydia  A.  Gardner,  of  Glenburn,  Pa. 
Several  daughters  have  been  born  to 
them,  one  of  whom  became  the  wife  of 
Rev.  A.  D.  Decker. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1869, 
Wyalusing;   1870-72,  Nicholson;  1873- 
75,  Wyalusing;   1876-78,  Binghamton, 
High    Street;     1879-81,  Binghamton, 
Main  Street;  1882-83,  Milford ;  1884-86, 
Susquehanna;  1887-92,  Presiding  Elder  of  Honesdale  District; 
1893-94,  Pittston;  1895-96,  Nanticoke ;  1897-98,  Waverly,  Pa.; 
1899-02,  Oak  Street,  Binghamton ;  1903,  Brooklyn. 


JOHN  B.  SUMNER 


SuRDAM,  Charles  M.,  was  born  on  March  20,  1846,  in  New 
Orleans,  La.  He  received  his  education  in  private  schools 
of  seminary  and  collegiate  grade  in  New  York  city  and  vicinity. 

He  was  converted  in  January,  1864,  in 
Simpson  Church,  Jersey  City,  N.  J., 
and  his  call  to  preach  came  at  the  time 
of  conversion.  He  had  aspirations  for 
the  legal  profession.  These,  however, 
w^ere  laid  aside  and  he  became  a  business 
man.  While  engaged  in  business  in 
Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  he  listened  to  the 
call  to  preach,  which  had  increased  in 
intensity  with,  passing  years,  and  de- 
cided to  enter  the  ministry.  The  Quar- 
terly Conference  of  the  Centenary 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  gave  him  a 
local  preacher's  license  in  April,  1878, 
and  he  preached  his  first  sermon  the  fol- 
lowing Sunday  in  the  Centenary  Church. 

In  August  of  that  year  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Harford  and 
Gibson,  and  united  with  the  Conference  in  1879. 
He  has  been  twice  married  and  has  five  daughters. 


CHARLES  M.  SURDAM 


Living  Preachers 


409 


His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1879-80,  Harford  and 
Gibson;  1881-83,  Brooklyn;  1884-86,  Nicholson  and  South  Gib- 
son; 1887-91,  Susquehanna;  1892-96,  Waverly,  N.  Y. ;  1897-98, 
Nanticoke;  1899-1903,  Pittston. 

Sweet,  Cornelius,  was  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  on 
October  20,  1842.  At  the  age  of  six  he  was  left  homeless  and 
without  parental  care.  He"  was  taken  by  a  family  in  Danby, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  found  a  comfortable 
home,  but  devoid  of  respect  for  the 
Sabbath  and  church  services.  The 
community,  however,  was  a  religious 
one. 

At  twelve  he  was  permitted  to  attend 
Sunday  school,  in  which  he  took  great 
delight.  At  seventeen,  under  the  labors 
of  the  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead,  he  was  con- 
verted, and  joined  the  Church  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  John  M.  Snyder.  He 
soon  felt  called  to  preach,  which  fact 
the  Church  soon  recognized.  Feel- 
ing embarrassed  because  he  had  but  a 
district  school  education,  he  hesi- 
tated. 

In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  137th  New  York  State  Volun- 
teers, and  served  three  years,  during  which  time  he  was  in 
fourteen  hard-fought  battles  and  a  number  of  skirmishes.  He 
was  with  Sherman  in  his  march  to  the  sea.  After  returning  from 
the  war  he  felt  impelled  to  enter  the  ministry,  and  after  several 
years  of  procrastination,  began  his  lifework,  as  supply,  at  Halsey 
Valley  in  1874.  After  two  years  of  supply  work  he  joined  the 
Conference  in  1876,  receiving  deacon's  orders  in  1878  and  elder's 
orders  in  1881.  Impaired  health  caused  him  to  become  super- 
numerary in  1888  and  again  in  1895.  In  1897  supplied  South 
Danby. 

He  married  Miss  Charlotte  M.  Wise,  of  Danby.  One  child 
was  born  to  them,  a  daughter,  now  Mrs.  W.  J.  Simmons,  of 
Waverly,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1876,  Lamb's  Corners; 
1877-78,  Broome;  1879-81,  Exeter;  1882,  South  New  Berlin; 
1883,  Edmeston;  1884,  Flemingville ;  1885-87,  South  Danby; 
1888-90,  sy. ;  1891-92,  Orwell;  1893-94,  Litchfield;  1895-97,  sy. ; 
1 898- 1903,  sd. 


410 


Wyoming  Conference 


Sweet,  Charles  E.,  was  born  on  August  22,  i860,  in  Smith- 
ville,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  at  which  place  he  received  his 
schoohng.    He  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  and  worked  at  it 

some  time  before  entering  the  ministry. 
On  April  24,  1889,  he  was  converted  at 
Ketchumville,  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
joined  the  Church  the  following  Sep- 
tember. He  received  exhorter's  license 
in  December,  1889,  and  local  preacher's 
license  March  21,  1892.  During  the 
years  1890  and  1891  he  did  evangelistic 
work  most  of  the  time.  In  1891  he  sup- 
plied Doraville  and  Cole's  Hill ;  in  1892 
he  supplied  Cooperstown  Junction,  and 
in  1893  united  with  the  Conference. 

On  September  23,  1876,  he  married 
Miss  Alta  A.   McDonald,  of  Greene, 

CHARLES  E.  SWEET  Y. 

He  has  served  the  following  pastor- 
ates: 1893,  Cooperstown  Junction;  1894-98,  Davenport;  1899- 
1902,  Afton ;  1903,  Carverton. 

Sweet,  John  Burgess,  D.D.,  was  born  on  July  3,  1854,  at 
Frome,    Somersetshire,   England.    He   attended   the  National 
School,  the  Blue  Coat  School  of  France  five  years,  and  the 
Singer  Evening  School  of  Art  for  a 
time,  after  which  he  was  apprenticed  to 
learn  the  gas-fitting  trade.    In  1873  ^'^^ 
came  to  America  and  settled  in  Scran- 
ton.    Here  he  was  successively  in  the 
employ  of  the  Dickson  Manufacturing 
Company,  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and 
Western  Railroad,  and  Mr.  R.  M.  Lind- 
say, proprietor  of  the  Boston  Store.  He 
had  been  confirmed  in  the  Episcopal 
Church  of  his  native  town,  but  knew 
nothing  of  experimental  religion.  While 
sitting  in  the  choir  of  the  Providence 
Church,  Scranton,  listening  to  a  sermon 
by  Rev.  R.  W.  Van  Schoick,  he  was        johx  b.  sweet 
moved  to  begin  a  new  life.    In  the  same 

year,  1878,  he  was  given  an  exhorter's  license  by  Rev.  E.  R.  D. 
Briggs,  pastor  of  Park  Place  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  This 


Living  Preachers 


411 


church  gave  him  local  preacher's  license  on  March  7,  1879,  and 
in  the  following  month  he  joined  the  Conference. 

He  was  editor  of  the  Detailed  Missionary  Report  five  years, 
first  assistant  secretary  for  five  years,  and  secretary  of  the  Con- 
ference six  years. 

On  December  4,  1877,  he  married  Miss  lona  A.  Miller,  of 
Park  Place,  Scranton.  Two  sons  and  a  daughter  have  been  born 
to  them. 

In  1900  he  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  from  Wiley  Uni- 
versity. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1879,  Spring  Brook;  1880- 
81,  Cherry  Ridge;  1882-84,  Mount  Pleasant;  1885-87,  Peckville ; 
1888-89,  Great  Bend;  1890-91,  Waverly,  Pa.;  1892-95,  Ashley'; 
1896-1900,  Simpson,  Scranton;  1901,  Oneonta;  1902-03,  Pre- 
siding Elder  of  Binghamton  District. 

Taber,  James  Monroe,  D.D.,  was  born  on  February  17,  i860, 
at  Vineyard  Haven,  Mass.  He  was  converted  in  the  town  of  his 
birth  in  1878  and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  that 
place  in  1880.  He  prepared  for  college 
in  the  village  schools,  and  Phillips 
Academy,  Andover,  Mass.,  where  he 
graduated  in  1881.  He  graduated 
from  Wesleyan  University  in  1886. 

After  holding  local  preacher's  license 
three  years  during  his  college  work,  in 
one  of  which  he  acted  as  supply,  he 
joined  the  New  England  Southern  Con- 
ference in  1887. 

On  July  7,  1886,  he  married  Miss  Ad- 
die  Belle  King,  of  Falmouth,  Mass. 

Grant  University  conferred  the  de- 
gree of  D.D.  upon  him  in  1899. 

His  pastoral   record   is   as   follows :        james  m.  taber 
1887,  Colchester,  Conn.;   1888-90,  Sa- 
chem   Street,    Norwich,   Conn. ;    1891-93,    South  Manchester, 
Conn.;  1894-97,  Trinity  Church,  Providence;  1898-1901,  First 
Church,  Chattanooga,  Holston  Conference ;  1902-03,  Centenary 
Church,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

Taylor,  James  Hermon,  was  born  on  August  10,  1838,  in 
Tioga,  N.  Y.  He  attended  the  common  schools  in  Tioga,  and 
the  Owego  Academy.    He  taught  school  in  Tioga  County  seven 


412 


Wyoming  Conference 


years.    Among  the  schools  he  taught 
were  the  schools  in  the  villages  of  Tioga 
and  Smithsboro.    In  the  winter  of  1854 
he  was  converted  in  the  town  of  Tioga, 
under  the  labors  of  Rev.  Jasper  W. 
Hewitt.    After  becoming  a  member  of 
the    Church    he    was    elected  Sunday 
school  superintendent  and  class  leader 
within  a  year.    Exhorter's  license  was 
given  him  September  i,  i860,  and  local 
preacher's  license  in  1864  by  the  Tioga 
Center  Church.    He  was  ordained  dea- 
con April  17,  1869,  and  in  1870  joined 
the    Conference,    after    having  local 
preacher's  license  six  years,  in  which  he 
preached  nearly  every  Sunda)/. 
On  May  29,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Eckert. 
His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1870,  Harford;  1871,  Camp- 
ville;  1872-74,  Cherry  Ridge;  1875-76,  Bethany;  1877-79,  Tall- 
mansville;   1880-82  McDonough ;   1883-84,  Garrattsville,  1885- 
87,  Auburn;  1888-89,  Harpursville ;  1890-92,  Masonville;  1893- 
96,  McClure;  1897,  Hawleyton ;  1898-99,  West  Nicholson;  1900, 
Franklin  Forks,  Pa.;  1901,  Union  Center;  1902-03,  Triangle. 


JAMES  H.  TAYLOR 


Terry,  Seward  A.,  was  born  on  March  15,  1855,  Pavilion, 
Genesee  County,  N.  Y.  His  father  was  a  member  of  Genesee 
Conference  over  forty  years.  His  education  was  received  from 
the  following  schools :  Carey  Collegiate 
Seminary  (Protestant  Episcopal),  at 
Oakfield^  N.  Y. ;  Brockport  Normal 
School ;  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary ; 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1889;  and 
two  years  at  Drew  Theological  Semi- 
nary. His  duty  to  preach  the  Gospel  was 
felt  by  him  eight  or  ten  years  before  his 
conversion,  w^hich  occurred  on  February 
7,  1879,  in  North  Greene.  He  joined 
the  Church  in  North  Cohocton,  N.  Y.,  in 
August,  1879.  He  received  his  first  li- 
cense on  June  27,  1888,  was  ordained 
deacon  April  16,  1893,  and  joined  the 
Conference  at  the  same  session. 

During  the   years   of   schooling  he 


SEWARD  A.  TERRY 


Living  Preachers 


4T3 


worked  on  farms  summers,  and  taught  school  a  few  winters,  and 
had  some  experience  in  commercial  life. 

On  June  21,  1893,  he  married  Miss  Libbie  A.  Weston,  of 
Keeseville,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1893-96,  Barton ;  1897-98, 
Lockwood;  1899-1901,  Davenport  Center;  1902-03,  Sidney 
Center. 


Thomas,  John  L.,  was  born  on  February  24,  1855,  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Illogan  Highway,  Cornwall,  England.  In  May,  1865,  he 
came  to  America.    At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  was  converted  in 


the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Suc- 
casunna,  N.  J.,  and  soon  after  joining 
the  Church  the  pastor  at  Succasunna 
gave  him  exhorter's  license.  He  re- 
ceived local  preacher's  license  from  the 
Quarterly  Conference  of  Grass  Valley 
Church,  in  California. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  was  com- 
pelled by  force  of  circumstances  to  work 
and  help  support  a  widowed  mother. 
This  prevented  his  going  to  school  as  he 
desired.  His  work  in  educational  lines 
has,  therefore,  largely  been  done  at  home. 
He  believed  himself  called  to  the  min- 


istry long  before  he  ventured.    Through        john  l.  thomas 
the  influence  of  Rev.  R.  Hiorns,  while 

living  at  Peckville,  he  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  Rev.  W.  M. 
Hiller,  presiding  elder  of  Honesdale  District,  who  sent  him  as 
supply  to  Hale's  Eddy  in  1885.  After  supplying  this  place  one 
year  he  joined  the  Conference. 

On  December  26,  1884,  he  married  Miss  Martha  Jane  Harway, 
of  Ironia,  N.  J.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  them — Lewis 
C.  and  Alice  M. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1886,  Forest  City;  1887-89, 
West  Nicholson;  1890-91,  Union  Center;  1892-93,  Fly  Creek; 
1894-95,  Sanitaria  Springs;  1896-98,  Afton ;  1899-1901,  Sidney 
Center;  1902-03,  Parsons. 

Thorpe,  Willis  Loom  is,  was  born  on  January  20,  1838,  in 
the  town  of  Shefiield,  Berkshire  County,  Mass.,  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  his  parents'  birthplace.   In  April,  1846,  his  parents  moved  to  a 


414 


Wyoming  ConfereKce 


farm  near  Otego,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y. 
His  grandfather  Thorpe  was  a  class 
leader.  His  father,  though  regular  in 
attendance  upon  church  services,  and  in- 
sistent that  his  children  should  be  re- 
ligiously trained,  did  not  make  a  profes- 
sion of  religion  until  his  fiftieth  birthday. 
His  mother's  people  were  Episcopalians, 
but  she  united  with  the  Congregational 
Church  in  her  youth.  After  removing  to 
Otego  she  was  one  of  nine  who  consti- 
tuted the  first  class  organized  in  the 
village  of  Otego. 

In  January,  1856,  he  joined  the  church 
WILLIS  L.  THORPE  at  Otcgo.  From  this  time  until  1862  he 
was  in  school,  preparing  for  the  ministry. 
He  spent  one  term  at  Cazenovia  Seminary,  and  thereafter  was  at 
the  Delaware  Literary  Institute,  in  Franklin,  X.  Y.  During  this 
period  he  taught  school  winters,  thus  furnishing  himself  with 
funds  to  defray  expenses. 

He  received  his  first  exhorter's  license  from  Rev.  A.  E.  Daniels, 
October  31,  1858,  and  local  preacher's  license  February  18,  i860. 

In  1862  he  united  with  the  Oneida  Conference,  and  became  a 
member  of  this  Conference  when  some  Oneida  territory  was  ab- 
sorbed. He  spent  one  year  and  a  half  in  Iowa,  but  returned  to 
this  Conference,  preferring  the  East. 

In  the  summer  of  1862  he  married  Miss  Hattie  E.  Coe,  of  Sid- 
ney, N.  Y.,  who  died  in  the  winter  of  1868.  On  May  31,  1870,  he 
m.arried  Miss  Emma  Bresee,  of  Morris,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y. 
Two  sons  have  been  born  to  them — one  is  a  practicing  physician 
in  Clyde,  N.  Y. ;  the  other  is  in  school  now. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1862,  Worcester;  1863-64, 
Starkville;  1865-67,  Morris;  1868-70,  Cooperstown ;  1871, 
located;  Upper  Iowa  Conference,  1872,  Hampton;  Wyoming 
Conference,  1873,  Unadilla;  1874-76,  Montrose;  1877-79,  Hyde 
Park,  Scranton;  1880,  Providence,  Scranton ;  1881-84,  Presiding 
Elder  of  Chenango  District;  1885-87,  Honesdale ;  1888,  High 
Street,  Binghamton ;  1889-91,  Waverly,  N.  Y. ;  1892,  Pittston ; 
1895-98,  Presiding  Elder  of  Honesdale  District;  1899-1901, 
Plymouth,  Pa. ;  1902-03,  Newark  Valley. 

Tiffany,  Cortland  P.,  was  born  on  February  23,  1872,  at 
Nicholson,  Wyoming  County,  Pa. 


Living  Preachers 


415 


He  was  educated  in  the  district  school, 
School,  Millersville  State  Normal  School, 
and  Drew  Theological  Seminary. 

In  1 891  he  became  one  of  the  editors 
of  the  Nicholson  Examiner.  In  January, 
1892,  he  became  converted,  and  in  the 
following  August  was  licensed  to  preach. 
In  September  he  left  the  paper  and  be- 
gan studying  for  the  ministry. 

In  March,  1895,  he  married  Miss  L. 
Gertrude  Kauffman,  of  Huntingdon, 
Pa.,  and  has  three  children. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1895,  and 
has  served  the  following  churches : 
1895-96,  Foster;  1897-99,  Kirkwood; 
1900-03,  Candor. 


the  Nicholson  High 


CORTLAND  P.  TIFFANY 


Todd,  Charles  Wesley,  was  born  in  South  Sterling,  Wayne 
County,  Pa.,  on  July  22,  1832.  He  was  educated  in  the  district 
school  of  his  native  place,  and  also  spent  some  few  years  in  study 
at  Wyoming  Seminary.  He  learned  the 
harness-making  trade  with  W.  W. 
Loomis,  and  was  working  for  him  at  the 
time  of  his  conversion,  in  February,  1853, 
which  was  during  a  series  of  revival  serv- 
ices in  Wilkes-Barre,  conducted  by  Dr. 
George  Peck.  Subsequent  to  conversion 
he  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilkes- 
Barre  about  a  year  and  a  half.  At  the 
same  time  he  was  reading  law  with  Hen- 
drick  B.  Wright  and  Samuel  P.  Long- 
street,  of  that  city.  In  the  spring  of  i860 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  His  convic- 
tions as  to  his  duty  relative  to  preaching 
the  Gospel  grew  and  strengthened  with 
the  passing  years,  until  in  i860,  instead 
of  entering  upon  the  practice  of  law,  he  united  with  Wyoming 
Conference. 

On  December  25,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Anna  M.  Pursel,  of 
Buckingham,  Bucks  County,  Pa.  Four  children  have  been  born 
to  them — Fanny  Forester,  wife  of  O.  C.  Giddings,  Seattle,  Wash. ; 
William  Pursel,  of  Uniondale,  Pa. ;  Mary  Bensley,  wife  of  S.  H. 
Norton,  of  Uniondale;  and  Charles  Forester. 


f 


CHARLES  W.  TODD 


4i6 


Wyoming  Conference 


While  serving  Rosenbiirg  charge,  in  Douglas  County,  Ore., 
he  was  elected  superintendent  of  schools  for  the  county,  serving 
in  that  capacity  two  years.  During  the  first  year  of  his  work  as 
county  superintendent  he  saved  three  churches  in  the  county  from 
embarrassing  indebtedness.  During  his  work  as  agent  for 
IJmpqua  Academy,  in  the  Oregon  Conference,  he  served  the 
Church  well  in  raising  funds  for  the  rebuilding  of  the  burned 
school  building. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  i860,  Union;  1861,  Spring- 
ville;  1862-63,  Spencer;  1864,  Barton;  1865,  Plymouth,  Pa.; 
1866-67,  Xarrowsburg;  1868,  Hawley ;  transferred  to  Oregon 
Conference,  1869  (and  part  of  1868),  Oregon  City;  1870,  Albany; 
1871-72,  Rosenburg;  1873-74,  Agent  for  Umpqua  Academy;  1875, 
Springfield;  1876-79,  located;  1880,  readmitted  to  Wyoming  Con- 
ference; 1880-81,  Masonville;  1882-84,  Uniondale;  1885,  sy. ; 
1886,  Thompson;  1887-89,  Oregon;  1890,  Beach  Pond;  1891-92, 
sy. ;  1893,  Waymart;  1894-1903,  sd. 

Tower,  Purington  Rial,  was  born  on  March  22,  1834,  in 
West  Lenox,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  His  father,  Rial  Towner, 
two  uncles,  tw^o  brothers-in-law,  and  two  nephews  w^ere  Baptist 

clergymen.  He  gained  what  education 
he  could  from  the  common  schools,  and 
then  had  three  terms  in  the  academy  at 
Harford,  Pa.  He  taught  school  one 
hundred  months,  forty  of  which  were  in 
Dunmore  and  Scranton.  He  held  a  pro- 
fessional certificate  granted  by  the  school 
authorities  of  Luzerne  County  (now 
Lackawanna),  for  some  time. 

On  October  8,  1857,  he  married  Miss 
]Mary  D.  Lyon,  of  Herrick,  Susquehanna 
County,  Pa.    He  and  his  wife  experi- 
enced religion  in  January,  1862,  in  a  re- 
vival  meeting   held   in   the  Dunmore 
puRir  GToi^  R.  TOWER     Mctliodist   Episcopal   Church  (Brick), 
Rev.  Luther  Peck  being  the  pastor.  He 
_  was  baptized,  with  his  wife,  and  received  into  the  Providence 
i895'-\y<3!"  V'  Rev.  George  Peck,  D.D.    The  following  week  he  was 
Plymouth,  P^horter's  license  (November  5,  1867).   He  would  have 
^  before  had  he  not  been  fighting  against  life- 
TiFFANY,  CoRTLANfl  imprcssious.    When  he  became  convinced 
Nicholson,  Wyoming,  to  the  Church  of  his  fathers  he  soon  entered 


Living  Preachers 


417 


the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  April,  1868,  the  Providence 
Church  gave  him  a  local  preacher's  license,  and  before  the  month 
was  out  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Rome.  In  the  following  year 
he  joined  the  Conference. 

He  was  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  from  May,  1864,  to 
July  4,  1865. 

He  retired  from  active  work  in  1896  on  account  of  failing  health, 
and  has  since  lived  at  Thompson,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1869,  Wyalusing;  1870, 
Herrick;  1871-73,  Skinner's  Eddy;  1874-75,  Eactoryville ;  1876, 
Salem;  1877-79,  Bethany;  1880-81,  Hawley;  1882-83,  Guil- 
ford; 1884,  Fly  Creek;  1885-87,  Osborne  Hollow  and  Port  Crane; 
1888,  Lanesboro;  1889-90,  Gibson;  1891-93,  Jackson;  1894-95, 
Canaan;  1896-1903,  sd. 

Transue,  John  A.,  was  born  on  March  27,  185 1,  at  Scot  Run, 
Pocono  township,  Monroe  County,  Pa.,  being  one  of  fourteen 
children.  His  parents  were  members  of  the  German  Lutheran 
Church  and  bitterly  opposed  to  praying 
people,  and  especially  the  Methodists. 
He  never  attended  school  except  in  win- 
ter, and  that  privilege  was  not  his  after 
fourteen  years  of  age.  The  longest  win- 
ter's schooling  he  had  was  three  months, 
and  some  winters  there  was  no  school  at 
all.  In  November,  1866,  he  commenced 
teaching  in  the  public  schools,  and  taught 
until  the  middle  of  May,  1867.  During 
the  succeeding  four  years  he  alternated 
between  teaching  winters  and  working 
on  the  farm  summers.  From  1870  until 
joining  the  Conference  in  1881  he  taught 
most  of  the  time.  john  a.  transue 

Under  parental  authority  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  from  his  sixteenth  until  his 
nineteenth  year,  when  he  joined  the  Evangelical  Association, 
where  he  remained  until  twenty-five  years  of  age.  In  February, 
1876,  he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Paradise, 
Spragueville  Circuit,  Philadelphia  Conference. 

When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  married  Miss  Rachel  H.  Bis- 
bing,  daughter  of  a  Methodist  class  leader.   This  led  him  into  an 
environment  which  led  him  to  Christ.    His  father-in-law  per- 
suaded him  to  attend  a  camp  meeting  which  was  being  held  at 
27 


Wyoming  Conference 


Hinkel's  Grove,  Monroe  County,  Pa.  Here,  at  4  p.  m.,  on  August 
20,  1872,  he  became  a  child  of  God.  He  held  a  local  preacher's 
license  five  years,  and  supplied  Mountain  Top  two  years,  before 
joining  the  Conference. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1881-83,  Lackawaxen;  1884, 
Ouaquaga;  1885,  Exeter  and  Schuyler's  Lake;  1886-88,  Paupack; 
1889,  Beach  Pond;  1890-94,  Carley  Brook;  1895,  Bethany;  1896- 
97,  Wanamie;  1898,  Maple  Grove;  1899-1901,  Canaan;  1902-03, 
Cherry  Ridge. 


TucKLEY,  Henry,  D.D.,  was  born  in  England,  and  received  his 
education  in  public  and  private  schools. 

He  was  converted  at  sixteen  years  of  age,  but  was  not  steadfast. 

After  coming  to  the  United  States  in 
1 87 1  he  renewed  his  covenant  with  God, 
under  the  influence  of  Rev.  Thomas  Col- 
lett,  pastor  of  the  Raper  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  Dayton,  O.  This  church 
gave  him  exhorter's  license,  and  not  long 
after  local  preacher's  license.  His  first 
work  in  the  ministry  was  as  supply  on  a 
circuit  in  Kentucky  having  seven  appoint- 
ments, under  the  eldership  of  Rev.  Ben- 
jamin A.  Stubbins.  After  serving  this 
appointment  eight  months  he  was  reluc- 
tantly released  to  take  work  in  the  Cin- 
cinnati Conference.  He  joined  the  Cin- 
cinnati Conference  in  1875.  In  the  same 
year  he  married  Miss  Mary  Susanna 
Smith,  of  Hartwell,  Hamilton  County,  O. 

In  1894  he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from 
Grant  University. 

During  the  past  twenty  years  he  has  written  extensively  for  a 
syndicate  of  influential  newspapers  on  Church  afifairs,  and  the 
three  years  spent  abroad  were  largely  occupied  in  writing  for  a 
syndicate  of  American  newspapers  on  social,  economic,  and 
political  affairs  in  England,  France,  and  Germany.  The  Meth- 
odist Book  Concern  has  published  the  following  books  from  his 
pen:  Life's  Golden  Morning,  Masses  and  Classes,  Forzvard 
March,  In  Sunny  France,  Under  the  Queen,  The  Latter-Day 
Eden,  and  Questions  of  the  Heart.  Besides  the  above  he  has  pub- 
lished memorial  volumes  of  Rev.  William  Nast  Brodbeck,  of 
Boston,  and  Rev.  William  Rice,  of  Springfield,  Mass. 


HENRY  TUCKLEY 


Living  Preachers 


419 


His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  Cincinnati  Conference,  1875- 
76,  Hartwell  and  Carthage,  O. ;  1876-78,  St.  John's,  Cincinnati, 
O.;  1878-80,  Delhi,  O. ;  1880-83,  Christie,  Cincinnati,  O. ;  1883-84, 
sy.  for  year  abroad ;  1884-87,  St.  Paul's,  Springfield,  O. ;  New 
England  Southern  Conference,  1887-89,  Mathewson  Street, 
Providence,  R.  I.;  Kentucky  Conference,  1889-92,  Lexington, 
Ky. ;  1892-93,  sy.  for  year  abroad ;  New  England  Conference, 
1893-98,  Trinity,  Springfield,  Mass. ;  Wyoming  Conference,  1898- 
1900,  Centenary,  Binghamton ;  1901,  sy.  for  year  abroad;  1902-03, 
Oneonta. 

Treible,  Wilson,  was  born  on  March  30,  1850,  near  Strouds- 
burg.  Pa.,  and  was  converted  in  Stroudsburg  in  1866.  His  boy- 
hood was  spent  on  his  father's  farm.  He  attended  common 
school,  taught  district  school  some,  and 
spent  some  time  at  Millersville  State 
Normal  School.  He  organized  the  pub- 
lic school  at  East  Stroudsburg,  where  he 
taught  three  years.  In  1874  he  entered 
Wyoming  Seminary,  from  which  he 
graduated,  having  taken  the  classical 
course.  In  1878  he  joined  the  Confer- 
ence, and  in  the  same  year  he  married 
Miss  Eva  Belcher,  of  Factoryville,  Pa. 
Before  entering  Conference  he  supplied 
as  follows:  1875,  Mountain  Top;  1876, 
Park  Place  and  Green  Ridge;  1877, 
Yatesville. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows  :  1878-        wilson  treible 
79,  Yatesville;  1880,  Nanticoke ;  1881- 

82,  Waverly,  Pa. ;  1883-85,  Sayre;  1886-89,  Newark  Valley;  1889- 
94,  Presiding  Elder  of  Owego  District;  1895-99,  Wyoming;  1900- 
03,  Norwich. 

Underwood,  Jonas,  was  born  on  September  20,  1835,  at 
Deposit,  N.  Y.  He  went  to  the  common  schools,  and  when  he 
decided  to  enter  the  ministry  he  studied  at  home  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Rev.  Silas  Barner  and  Professor  Hiram  Smith.  He  was 
converted  on  December  5,  1857,  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  North  Sanford,  N.  Y.,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  C. 
V.  Arnold.  Rev.  William  Shelp  gave  him  exhorter's  license  in 
March,  1859,  and  in  1859  he  received  local  preacher's  license.  He 
supplied  Oregon  charge  from  August  24,  1863,  to  April,  1865, 


4^0 


Wyoming  Conference 


and  Thompson  during  the  Conference  years  of  1866  and  1867. 

In  1868  he  united  with  the  Conference, 
having  been  ordained  deacon  in  1867. 

On  April  3,  1858,  he  married  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Silvernail,  of  Gulf  Summit,  N. 
Y.,  who  died  at  Hanover,  Pa.,  on  August 
23,  1885.  Three  children  were  born  to 
them — Almus  A.,  Jonas  Clark,  and  Imo- 
gene,  now  Mrs.  J.  F.  Wardle,  of  Scran- 
ton,  Pa.  On  June  23,  1887,  he  married 
Miss  Delia  C.  Ayres,  of  Wilkes-Barre, 
Pa.,  who  died  at  New  Milford,  Pa.,  on 
April  4,  1896. 

Since  retiring  from  active  work  he 
has  resided  most  of  the  time  in  Scran- 
ton,  and  has  been  engaged  in  selling 
life  insurance. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1868,  Mount  Pleasant 
1869-71,  Damascus;  1872-73,  Brooklyn;  1874-75,  Peckville;  1876 
Forty  Fort;  1877-79,  Ashley;  1880-82,  Salem;  1883-85,  Hanover 
1886,  Parrish  Street,  Wilkes-Barre;  1887-88,  Luzerne;  1889-90 
Park  Place,  Scranton;  1891-92,  Dallas;  1893-94,  New  Milford 
1895-1903,  sd. 


r 


JONAS  UNDERWOOD 


Underv/ood,  George  N.,  was  born 
March  2,  1871.  He  attended  the  public 
Wyoming  Seminary,  and  Syracuse  Uni 
seventeen  he  was  converted,  and  united 
with  the  Centenary  Methodist  Church 
of  Binghamton.  Soon  after  conversion 
he  felt  called  to  the  ministry.  Ex- 
horter's  license  was  given  him  by  Rev. 
G.  M.  Colville,  D.D.,  on  November  3, 

1892,  and  he  received  local  preacher's 
license  on  January  14,  1893.  He  joined 
the  Conference  in  1893. 

On  September  23,  1896,  he  married 
Miss  May  Edson,  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 
His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 

1893,  Decatur;  1894,  Larksville ;  1895, 
North  Norwich;  1896-97,  Gibson  and 
South  Gibson;  1898-1901,  Westford; 
1902-03,  Sherburne. 


in  Binghamton,  N.  Y., 
schools  in  Binghamton, 
versity.    At  the  age  of 


G.  N.  UNDERWOOD 


Living  Preachers 


421 


Van  Campen,  Louis  T.,  was  born  on  July  22,  1853,  in  Warren 
County,  N.  J.  When  about  sixteen  years  old  he  was  converted 
and  joined  the  Church.  The  call  to  preach  came  with  his  conver- 
sion. He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  Wyoming  Seminary.  He 
was  licensed  to  preach  in  1881,  on  Janu- 
ary 28.  From  the  Newark  Conference 
he  received  deacon's  orders  on  March  30, 
1884,  and  elder's  orders  April  7,  1889. 
He  served  as  supply  in  the  Newark  Con- 
ference as  follows:  1883-84,  Colesville; 
1885-86,  Newfoundland;  1887,  Sparrow- 
bush,  N.  Y.;  1888-89,  Erskine.  After 
serving  Stoddartsville  as  supply  one  year 
he  united  with  this  Conference  in  1893. 

On  August  26,  1882,  he  married  Miss 
Anna  M.  Stiris,  of  Warren  County,  N.  J. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1893,     louis  t.  van  campen 
Stoddartsville  ;  1894-97,  West  Nicholson  ; 

1898-99,  Auburn;  1900,  Gibson;  1901-02,  Shavertown;  1903, 
Salem. 


Van  Cleft,  Asa  J.,  Ph.D.,  was  born  on  March  3,  1840,  in 
Middletown,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.  He  had  the  advantages  of 
common  schools  and  academic  training  at  Middletown,  N.  Y., 
Waverly,  N.  Y.,  and  Athens,  Pa.  When 
fourteen  years  old  he  was  converted,  and 
soon  after  felt  called  to  the  ministry.  On 
June  12,  1859,  he  was  given  an  exhorter's 
license  by  the  pastor  at  Waverly,  N.  Y., 
Rev.  George  P.  Porter,  D.D.,  and  in 
March,  i860,  the  Waverly  Church  gave 
him  a  local  preacher's  license  and  rec- 
ommended him  to  the  Annual  Con- 
ference. 

In  1859  he  was  principal  of  the 
Waverly,  N.  Y.,  school. 

He  united  with  the  Conference  in  i860. 
In  the  years  1884,  1892,  and  1896  he  was 
elected  delegate  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence. 

In  1901  Soule  College,  of  Dodge  City,  Kan.,  granted  him  the 
degree  of  Ph.D. 


ASA  J.  VAN  CLEFT 


422 


Wyoming  Conference 


On  December  lo,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Wood,  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  i860,  Tioga;  1861,  Moscow; 

1862-  63,  Newport;  1864-65,  Carverton ;  1866,  Newton;  1867-69, 
Wyoming;  1870-72,  Union;  1873-75,  Susquehanna;  1876-78, 
Honesdale;  1879-82,  Presiding  Elder  of  Honesdale  District;  1883- 
85,  Providence;  1886-89,  Norwich;  1890,  sy. ;  1891,  Oxford; 
1892-96,  Presiding  Elder  of  Oneonta  District;  1897,  Financial 
Agent  Preachers'  Aid  Society;  1898-1900,  Dunmore;  1901, 
Ashley;  1902-03,  Dalton. 

Van  Deusen,  Henry  N.,  was  born  on  August  19,  1836,  in 
Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  at  fifteen  years  of  age, 
made  a  public  profession  at  twenty-one,  and  soon  after  joined 

the  Cooperstown  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  had  the  advantages  of  com- 
mon schools,  Cazenovia  Seminary  five 
months,  and  Cooperstown  Seminary  two 
terms.  In  1863  he  graduated  from  the 
Concord  Biblical  Institute.  He  has  a 
brother.  Rev.  Albert  Van  Deusen,  who  is 
a  member  of  the  Newark  Conference. 

On  September  8,  1863,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  J.  Porter,  of  Cooperstown, 
N.  Y.  They  have  two  sons  and  two 
daughters.  One  of  the  sons,  Harry,  is 
now  practicing  law  in  Scranton,  and  one 
of  the  daughters.  Miss  Julia,  has  made  a 
fine  reputation  as  an  elocutionist. 

He  joined  the  Oneida  Conference  in 
1863,  becoming  a  member  of  this  Conference  with  the  acquisition 
of  Oneida  territory,  and  has  made  the  following  pastoral  record : 

1863-  64,  ]\[orris  ;  1865-66,  Oneonta;  1867-69,  Schenevus ;  1870-72, 
Laurens;  1873-75,  Milford ;  1876-77,  Afton ;  1878-80,  Greene; 
1881-82,  Sherburne;  1883-84,  Union;  1885-87,  Nichols;  1888-90, 
Unadilla;  1891,  Little  Meadows;  1892-94,  Mehoopany;  1895-98, 
Slaterville ;  1899-1903,  Berkshire. 

Van  Hoesen,  Loui.s  E.,  was  born  on  December  5,  i860,  in 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  On  January  i,  1879,  united  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Starrucca,  Pa.  He  was 
given  local  preacher's  license  in  October,  1886,  by  Adams  Ave- 


Living  Preachers 


423 


nue  (Elm  Park)  Church,  and  received 
deacon's  orders  in  1890.  Pie  united  with 
the  Conference  in  1892.  After  passing 
through  the  common  schools  he  entered 
Wyoming  Seminary,  from  which  he 
graduated  after  a  four  years'  course  of 
study. 

On  May  11,  1892,  he  married  Miss 
Isabel  M.  Pace,  of  Askam,  Pa.,  who  died 
at  Avoca,  Pa.,  on  August  25,  1897,  leav- 
ing two  children — Leyl  and  Helen.  On 
November  17,  1898,  he  married  Miss 
Nellie  M.  Stannert,  of  Northumber- 
land, Pa. 

While  in  the  seminary  he  supplied     louis  e.  van  hoesen 
Plainsville,  1887-89,  and  Askam,  1890-91. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1892-93,  Rendham;  1894-95, 
I'orty  Fort;  1896-98,  Avoca;  1899-1900,  Ariel;  1901-03,  Little 
Meadows. 

Van  Woert,  Grant  E.,  was  born  in  Oneonta  township,  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  August  27,  1865.  When  about  three  years  of 
age  his  parents  moved  into  Chenango  County,  about  two  and  a 
half  miles  from  Afton,  where  he  lived 
until  fourteen,  when  the  family  moved  to 
Fenton  township,  Broome  County.  Here 
he  made  his  home  until  entering  the 
ministry. 

In  the  winter  of  1878  he  attended  a 
series  of  revival  meetings  in  Afton,  a 
union  of  the  Baptist  and  Presbyterian 
churches,  and  became  a  ''new  creature  in 
Christ."  A  couple  of  years  he  ran  well, 
and  then  began  to  drift.  About  five 
years  ensued  in  which  he  was  estranged 
from  God's  people,  though  he  did  not 
cease  daily  prayer,  and  did  not  return  to 
GRANT  E.  VAN  WOERT  habits  of  profauity.  During  these  five 
years  he  became  somewhat  tinctured  with 
Universalism.  In  the  winter  of  1885  he  again  consecrated  him- 
self to  Christ,  during  meetings  held  by  Rev.  E.  L.  Bennett  at 
North  Fenton.  He  was  soon  baptized  and  received  into  the 
Church.   A  few  months  passed  and  he  felt  called  of  God  to  enter 


424 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  ministry.  He  received  exhorter's  license  from  Rev.  C.  L. 
Rice  on  September  26,  1886,  and  local  preacher's  license  from 
the  North  Fenton  Quarterly  Conference  in  the  summer  of  1887. 

He  attended  the  common  schools,  Afton  Academy,  the  Che- 
nango ForT<s  Graded  School,  and  taught  several  terms,  beginning 
when  seventeen  years  of  age.  In  the  spring  of  1886  he  entered 
Wyoming  Seminary,  where  he  remained  two  and  a  half  years. 
While  in  the  seminary  he  served  Larksville  one  year.  In  1889  he 
joined  the  Conference. 

In  1900  he  published  a  booklet  containing  three  sermons,  which 
had  a  large  sale  among  old  parishioners. 

In  1887  he  married  Miss  Belle  Burrows,  of  Fenton,  Broome 
County,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1889,  Harford;  1890-92, 
Rush;  1893-96,  Nicholson  and  Lakeside;  1897-1900,  Brooklyn; 
1901-03,  Schenevus. 

Vaughn,  Thomas  J.,  was  born  on  November  3,  1865,  at 
Tredegar,  Wales,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1869. 
The  family  made  Scranton  their  home.    He  was  raised  in  the 

Simpson   Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  was  converted  in  March,  1885,  ^^^^ 
joined  the  Church  at  once.    In  January, 
1886,  he  began  evangelistic  work  in  the 
Salvation  Army,  and  remained  in  that 
work  three  years.    While  in  this  work  he 
saw  about  two  thousand  souls  saved. 
After  severing  his  connection  with  the 
.Salvation  Army  he  became  a  member  of 
the  Primitive  Methodist  Church,  receiv- 
ing local  preacher's  license  from  that 
Church  soon  after  joining  it.    He  re- 
mained in  that  Church  six  years.  The 
first  five  he  worked  at  coal  mining  and 
THOMAS  J.  VAUGHN       prcachcd  on  Sundays.   The  sixth  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Confer- 
ence of  the  Primitive  Church,  and  stationed  at  Pottsville,  Pa.  In 
1894  he  went  to  Stoddartsville,  where  he  remained  two  years  as 
supply,  and  joined  the  Wyoming  Conference  in  1896. 

On  December  15,  1887,  he  married  Miss  Clara  Stamets,  of 
Shamokin,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1896-98,  Herrick  Center; 
1899-1900,  Maple  Grove;  1901-03,  Middlefield. 


I 


Living  Preachers  425 

ViCKERY,  Charles  R.,  was  born  on  September  10,  1873,  near 
Lansing,  Mich.  He  was  raised  in  a  Methodist  home,  and  was 
converted  at  Phoenix,  N.  Y.,  in  1887,  joining  the  Church  soon 
after.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Phcienix  High  School,  Syracuse  Uni- 
versity, Neff  College  of  Oratory,  Philadelphia,  and  Drew  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  He  received  local  preacher's  license  in  1899. 
After  supplying  Cold  Spring  Harbor,  Long  Island,  in  the  New 
York  East  Conference,  one  year,  he  was  admitted  to  this  Con- 
ference in  1903,  and  became  the  assistant  pastor  of  Elm  Park 
Church. 

Vrooman,  Chauncey  C,  was  born  at  Roxbury,  Delaware 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  June  13,  i860,  and  spent  the  first  sixteen  years 
of  his  life  here.  During  this  period  he  had  nine  years'  schooling 
in  the  village  school.  In  his  seventeenth 
year  he  moved  to  Hobart,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  worked  with  his  father  one  year  at 
the  shoemaker's  trade.  At  eighteen  he 
began  teaching  school  and  continued 
four  years,  teaching  winters  and  work- 
ing on  a  farm  summers.  At  the  age 
of  twenty  he  was  converted  in  a  union 
revival  service  at  Hobart,  conducted  by 
the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians.  A 
few  months  after  conversion  the  death 
of  his  father  left  him  in  charge  of  his 
aged  mother  and  two  sisters,  one  of 
whom  was  an  invalid.  In  1882  he  went 
to  Oneonta  and  entered  the  service  of  chauncey  c.  vrooman 
the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Com- 
pany, serving  one  year  in  the  roundhouse,  one  year  as  locomotive 
fireman,  and  three  years  in  the  boiler  shop.  He  had  an  im- 
pression before  conversion  that  the  ministry  was  to  be  his  life- 
work,  and  after  conversion  he  felt  that  this  was  certainly  the  case. 
He  accordingly  pursued  a  course  of  reading  which  would  be  help- 
ful to  him  in  that  work.  Rev.  A.  B.  Richardson  gave  him  ex- 
horter's  license  on  March  25,  1887.  On  September  26  of  the 
same  year  he  received  local  preacher's  license  from  the  Oneonta 
Church,  and  in  October  was  sent  as  supply  to  the  Hartwick 
charge.    In  1888  he  united  with  the  Conference. 

On  June  13,  1888,  he  married  Miss  Harriet  Stickels,  of  One- 
onta, N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1888-89,  Wells  Bridge;  1890- 


426 


Wyoming  Conference 


JOSIAH  R.  WAGNER 


92,  McClure;  1893-94,  Westford;  1895-97,  Lanesboro;  1898- 
1902,  Maine;  1903,  Guilford. 

Wagner,  Josiah  R.,  was  born  at  Plains,  Luzerne  County, 
Pa.,  on  June  9,  1838.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm.  He  had  the 
advantage  of  the  common  schools,  some  academic  training,  and 

when  the  Chautauqua  movement  sprang 
up  he  entered  its  reading  circle  and  has 
a  certificate  of  graduation  from  it.  He 
taught  school  twelve  years  before  join- 
ing the  Conference. 

He  was  converted  in  December,  1854, 
at  Bloomingdale,  Pa.,  under  the  pastor- 
ate of  Rev.  H.  C.  De  Moyer,  and  at  once 
united  with  the  Church.  With  conver- 
sion came  the  call  to  the  ministry.  He 
did  not  readily  consent,  feeling  unwor- 
thy. He  was  honored  by  his  church,  be- 
ing made  Sunday  school  superintendent, 
class  leader,  and  steward.  When  severe 
affliction  came  to  him,  in  the  loss  of  some 
children,  he  surrendered  himself  wholly 
to  God's  will.  Rev.  Isaac  Austin,  pastor  at  Lehman,  gave  him  an 
exhorter's  license  in  April,  1870.  In  April,  1871,  the  Lehman 
charge  gave  him  local  preacher's  license,  and  asked  that  he  might 
be  junior  preacher  on  the  charge  for  the  ensuing  year.  He  was 
accordingly  appointed,  and  in  1872  united  with  the  Conference. 

On  March  18,  i860,  he  married  Miss  Frances  M.  Durland,  at 
Huntsville,  Luzerne  County,  Pa.  She  was  from  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  had  been  his  associate  as  student  and  teacher.  They 
have  two  daughters,  both  married,  and  a  son.  Rev.  Walter  A.,  who 
is  a  Congregational  minister. 

He  served  one  year,  1864-65,  in  the  civil  war,  in  the  52d  Penn- 
sylvania Infantry,  and  was  company  clerk  during  the  time. 

He  has  served  the  following  charges:  1872-73,  Mountain  Top; 
1874-76,  Hanover;  1877-79,  Lackawanna;  1880-82,  Lanesboro; 
1883-85,  Gibson  and  Harford;  1886-87,  Maine;  1888-91,  New 
Milford;  1892-94,  Lehman;  1895,  Avoca;  1896-98,  Luzerne;  1899, 
Conference  Evangelist;  1900-02,  Askam ;  1903,  West  Nanticoke. 

Waldron,  Charles,  was  born  on  March  21,  1872,  in  Nyack, 
Rockland  County,  N.  Y.  He  attended  public  school  until  thirteen 
years  of  age,  and  the  ensuing  eight  years  worked  a  part  of  the 


Living  Preachers 


427 


time  at  the  tinsmith's  trade.  When 
twenty-one  years  old  he  entered  D.  L. 
Moody's  school  at  Mount  Hermon, 
where  he  received  his  preparation  for 
college,  graduating  in  1897.  In  the  fall 
of  1897  he  entered  Harvard  College, 
hut  failing  to  find  it  congenial  he  en- 
tered Wesleyan  University  in  the  winter 
term.  From  this  college  he  graduated 
in  1902.  The  school  year  1900-01  he 
spent  in  working  and  teaching. 

His  parents   were  members   of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church.    He  was  con- 
verted when  fifteen  years  of  age.  His 
call  to  the  ministry  came  while  in  school      charles  waldron 
at  Mount  Hermon.    He  was  licensed 

as  a  local  preacher  by  the  church  in  Middletown,  Conn.  He  has 
served  as  supply  in  Colchester,  Conn.,  and  in  the  Connecticut 
State  Reformatory  School  for  Boys,  at  Meriden,  Conn.  His 
brother,  John  D.,  is  a  minister  in  the  Congregational  Church, 
now  preaching  in  Massachusetts. 

In  1902  he  joined  the  Conference,  and  was  stationed  at 
Lackawaxen. 

Walworth,  Seymour  E.,  was  born  on  June  29,  1820,  in  Pres- 
ton, Chenango  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  educated  in  a  select  school 
in  Newark  Valley,  N.  Y.,  taught  by  Dr.  Burr,  and  in  the  academy 
at  Norwich,  N.  Y.  He  taught  school  in 
the  town  of  Candor  from  1840  until 
1849,  teaching  during  the  winter  months 
and  working  at  various  enterprises  sum- 
mers. In  1850-52  he  was  superintendent 
of  common  schools  in  the  town  of  New- 
ark Valley,  and  taught  in  Newark  Val- 
ley at  the  same  time. 

He  was  converted  on  February  9, 
1839,  in  a  revival  held  at  East  Newark 
in  charge  of  Rev.  Mr.  Pine,  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  and  soon  felt  called 
of  God  to  the  ministry.  He  received  an 
exhorter's  license  from  Rev.  P.  S.  Wor- 
den,  pastor  at  Newark  Valley,  in  1852, 
s.  E.  WALWORTH        aud  iu  the  same  spring  the  Newark  Val- 


428 


Wyoming  Conference 


ley  Church  granted  him  a  local  preacher's  license.  In  1853  he 
united  with  the  Conference,  being  ordained  deacon  in  1855  and 
elder  in  1859.  His  first  sermon  was  preached  at  Newark  Valley, 
from  Rev.  iii,  20,  and  his  last  sermon  was  preached  at  Candor, 
N.  Y.,  from  Jude  20  and  21. 

Since  his  superannuation  he  has  lived  in  Candor,  N.  Y. 

The  charges  he  served  are  as  follows :  1853-54,  Vestal ;  1855- 
56,  Campville;  1857-58,  Liberty;  1859-60,  Broome;  1861,  Os- 
borne Hollow;  1862-63,  Lisle;  1864-65,  Nichols;  1866-68;  Wind- 
ham; 1869-71,  Le  Raysville ;  1872-74,  Northmoreland ;  1875-76, 
Campville  and  Apalachin ;  1877,  Germany;  1878-79,  Tioga;  1880- 
82,  South  Danby;  1883,  West  Danby;  1884-86,  sy. ;  1887- 
1903,  sd. 

Warner,  Justus  Franklin,  was  born  on  April  28,  1848,  in 
Forest  Lake,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  and  is  the  fourth  son 
and  sixth  child  of  Azor  and  Bertha  Warner.  He  had  such  edu- 
cational advantages  as  the  district  school 
afforded  until  sixteen  years  old,  when 
by  his  own  efforts  he  secured  academic 
training.  He  had  been  subject  to  reli- 
gious impressions  in  early  life,  but  did 
not  surrender  himself  unto  God  until  the 
winter  of  1861.  This  was  done  in  a  se- 
ries of  services  conducted  by  Rev.  R. 
Van  Valkenberg,  the  pastor  of  Montrose 
Circuit,  which  included  Forest  Lake,  or 
Townes,  as  it  was  familiarly  called.  The 
evidence  of  sonship  came  to  him  on  De- 
cember 29,  while  kneeling  with  the  fam- 
ily in  the  kitchen  of  his  father's  house. 
From  the  time  of  conversion  he  felt 
called  to  the  ministry.  On  February  14, 
1868,  Rev.  L  P.  Towner  gave  him  exhorter's  license,  and  on  the 
following  fourth  of  July  the  Quarterly  Conference  gave  him 
local  preacher's  license.    In  1871  he  united  with  the  Conference. 

On  July  5,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Ellen  A.  Caswell,  whom  he 
had  known  from  childhood,  at  Pierson  Farm,  Venango  Coun- 
ty, Pa. 

He  is  the  author  of  a  pastoral  record,  which  is  pronounced  by 
those  who  have  seen  it  as  among  the  best. 

He  has  pursued  a  course  of  study  under  the  direction  of  the 
Boston  Correspondence  School. 


Living  Preachers 


429 


His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1871-72,  Nicholson;  1873- 
75,  Thompson;  1876-78,  Sterling;  1879,  Waymart ;  1880-82,  Ash- 
ley, 1883,  sy.,  in  charge  at  Virginia  City,  Ncv. ;  1884,  Marathon 
and  Killawog;  1885-87,  New  Milford ;  1888-90,  Jermyn ;  1891, 
Tunkhannock;  1892-94,  Owego ;  1895-98,  Derr  Memorial, 
Wilkes-Barre ;  1899-1903,  Presiding  Elder  of  Honesdale  District. 

Weeks,  Lyman  Backus,  was  born  on  April  11,  1849,  the 
town  of  Windsor,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  born  in  a  log 
house,  eighteen  feet  square,  situated  in  a  forest.  He  attended 
school  in  a  little  red  schoolhouse,  a  mile 
and  a  half  from  home,  until  ten  years  of 
age.  After  this  he  worked  summers  and 
attended  school  winters  until  sixteen 
years  old.  This  closed  his  opportu- 
nities of  schooling.  From  that  time  he 
became  a  breadwinner  for  from  four  to 
ten  persons. 

In  March,  1876,  he  was  converted  at 
Port  Dickinson,  N.  Y.,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing June  joined  the  First  Baptist 
Church  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.  Six 
months  later,  when  returning  from  the 
week-night  prayer  meeting  he  felt  called 
by  God  to  the  ministry.  After  thirty  lyman  b.  weeks 
days  of  resistance  he  at  last  yielded  and 

went  to  work.  His  first  appointment  was  providentially  arranged 
by  an  aunt,  the  result  of  which  was  a  sweeping  revival.  The  Bap- 
tist Church,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  gave  him  license  to  preach. 
He  soon  after  discovered  that  he  was  not  doctrinally  in  sympathy 
with  the  Baptist  Church,  and  he  accordingly  joined  the  Port  Dick- 
inson Methodist  Episcopal  Church  by  letter  (1877).  He  soon  re- 
ceived a  local  preacher's  license  and  was  sent  to  supply  Nanticoke 
Circuit,  on  the  Binghamton  District.  In  1879  he  supplied  Decatur 
and  in  1880  united  with  the  Conference,  and  at  the  same  session 
was  ordained  deacon. 

On  April  11,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Catherine  L.  Winne,  of 
Harpursville,  N.  Y. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1880,  Decatur;  1881-82, 
Morris;  1883-85,  Smyrna;  1886-88,  Mount  Upton;  1889,  Mara- 
thon; 1890-91,  Clinton  Street,  Binghamton;  1892,  appointed  to 
Le  Raysville,  but  did  not  take  the  work;  1893-96,  Greene;  1897- 
1900,  Sayre ;  1901-03,  Lestershire. 


430 


Wyoming  Conference 


Warnock,  Thomas  R.,  was  born  on  August  6,  1853,  in  the 
city  of  Armagh,  Ulster  County,  Ireland.  He  studied  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  at  the  proper  age  was  admitted  to  the  Church  of 

England  schools,  to  prepare  for  the  min- 
istry in  that  Church.  He  was  ordained 
deacon  by  the  Lord  Primate  of  Ireland 
in  1870.  In  1 87 1  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  attended  school  here  about 
two  years.  He  is  a  shoemaker  by 
trade. 

He  married  ^liss  Lottie  Dimon,  of 
Quaker  Street,  Schenectadv  County, 
N.  Y. 

In  1 88 1  he  was  converted,  received 
local  preacher's  license  in  1882,  and 
united  with  the  Wyoming  Conference 
in  1885. 

He  has  served  the  following  charges : 
1885-86,  Lackawaxen;   1887-89,  Castle 
Creek;  1890-93,  Nichols;  1894-95,  Le  Raysville;  1896-99,  Candor; 
1900,    Falls;    1901,   Clark's    Summit;    1902-03,    Harford  and 
Kingsley. 


THOMAS  R.  WARXOCK 


Warburton,  George  A.,  was  born  on  April  14,  1867,  at  Au- 
burn Center,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  He  attended  common 
school  at  Campbellsville  and  Forksville,  Pa.,  until  seventeen  years 
old,  at  which  time  he  was  converted  and 
called  to  the  ministry.  He  received  ex- 
horter's  license  in  the  spring  of  1888, 
and  local  preacher's  license  in  the  fall. 
He  received  a  diploma  from  Forksville 
Graded  School  April  12,  1889,  and 
attended  Cazenovia  Seminary  one  year, 
after  which  he  entered  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary, graduating  in  1895.  He  subse- 
quently entered  Drew  Theological  Semi- 
nary and  graduated  in  1899.  In  1899  he 
received  deacon's  orders  and  united  with 
the  Conference. 

On  August  12,  1896,  he  married  Miss 
Mary  Laity,  of  Ashley,  Pa. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows: 
1899-1900,  Eatonville;  1901-02,  Glen  Lyon;  1903,  Hallstead. 


G.  A.  WARBURTON 


Living  Preachers 


431 


Watrous,  Ward  Weston,  was  born  on  November  14,  1868, 
at  Brooklyn,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.    He  attended  the  common 
school,  Sidney  High  School,  and  Cazenovia  Seminary.    In  1888 
he  was  converted  at  Brooklyn,  Pa.  He 
felt  called  to  preach  before  conversion, 
and  after  conversion  he  was  distinctly 
called,  but  did  not  respond  until  1894. 
In   April,    1895,   he   received   a  local 
preacher's  license  from  the  Quarterly 
Conference  of  the  High  Street  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  of  Binghamton. 
In  1898  he  united  with  the  Wyoming 
Conference. 

On  November  15,  1898,  he  married 
Miss  Lena  Lucy  Black,  daughter  of  S. 
F.  Black,  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows: 
1898-99,  South  New  Berlin;  1900-03, 
New  Berlin. 


WARD  W.  WATROUS 


Wheeler,  Henry  E.,  was  born  at  Edmeston,  Otsego  County 
N.  Y.,  on  January  19,  1856.   He  attended  district  school,  Edmes- 
ton Union  School,  and  Wyoming  Seminary  three  years.   He  was 
converted  at  eighteen,  and  soon  realized 
that  he  was  called  of  God  to  the  minis- 
try,  but   resisted   his   convictions  ten 
years.    He  received  exhorter's  license  in 
1885,  and  his  first  local  preacher's  li- 
/j^^Bi^^^^^HHi    cense  in  1886,  the  latter  from  the  Kings- 
ton Church.    In  1888  he  went  as  supply 
to  Fly  Creek,  and  in  July,  1889,  he  went 
into  the  State  of  Missouri,  and  on  the 
Hillsboro  charge,  on  the  St.  Louis  Dis- 
H^^^^^^^^^HR^     trict  of  the  St.  Louis  Conference.  Here 
^^H^^^^^V^      he  labored  about  six  months,  when  he 
^^^^^^^K^        moved  to  St.  Louis  and  joined  the  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.    In  July, 
HENRY  E.  WHEELER       1890,  hc  camc  back  to  Edmeston,  and  in 
February,  1891,  went  to  Castle  Creek  to 
fill  out  the  year,  the  pastor,  Rev.  Volney  Bailey,  having  died.  In 
1891  he  was  sent  as  supply  to  Cherry  Ridge,  and  in  1892  united 
with  the  Conference,  receiving  deacon's  orders  in   1895  and 
elder's  orders  in  1897. 


432 


Wyoming  Conference 


On  June  15,  1891,  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  Lamb  Blair,  of  Castle 
Creek,  N.  Y.,  widow  of  Arthur  Edson  Blair,  M.D.  She  died  at 
Bethany,  Pa.,  on  December  18,  1898.  On  May  i,  1901,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Phoebe  Rogers,  at  Montrose,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows :  1892-93,  Cherry  Ridge ; 
1894-95,  Damascus;  1896-98,  Bethany;  1899-1900,  Harpursville ; 
1901-02,  Eatonville;  1903,  sd. 

WiLD^  Luzerne  A.,  was  born  on  February  10,  1845,  in  the 
town  of  Butternuts,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  He  attended  district 
school  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  after  which  he  attended  Gil- 
bertsville  Academy,  Cazenovia  Seminary,  and  Cooperstown 
High  School.  Several  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  teaching. 
In  1862,  while  in  Cazenovia  Seminary,  he  was  converted  tmder 
the  preaching  of  Professor  E.  G.  Andrews  (now  Bishop).  He 
united  with  the  Conference  in  1872.  In  1880,  owing  to  lung 
trouble,  he  was  laid  aside  until  1894,  when  he  so  far  recuperated 
as  to  be  able  to  work  again.  In  1898  impaired  health  necessi- 
tated his  becoming  a  superannuate,  since  which  time  he  has  re- 
sided on  a  farm  in  Rockdale,  N.  Y. 

In  1868  he  married  Miss  Lillie  V.  Brown. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1872-73,  Masonville ;  1874- 
75,  New  Berlin;  1876-77,  Coventry;  1878-79,  Windsor;  1880-85, 
sy. ;  1886-93,  located;  1894,  supply  at  Rockdale;  1895-96,  made 
effective,  East  Worcester;  1897,  Westford;  1898-1903,  sd. 

Whitaker,  Adeleert  H.,  was  born  on  February  23,  1865,  on 
a  farm  near  Fairdale,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.    He  graduated 

from  Wyoming  Seminary  in  1900.  In 
October,  1893,  he  was  converted  during 
the  memorable  B.  Fay  Mills  evangelistic 
meetings  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  and  at 
once  felt  a  longing  to  preach  the  Gospel. 
He  was  living  on  a  farm  near  Bingham- 
ton at  the  time. 

On  January  5,  1888,  he  married  Miss 
Alice  Potter,  a  sister  of  Rev.  A.  E.  Pot- 
ter, of  this  Conference.  Three  children 
have  been  born  to  them. 

He   united  with   the   Conference  in 
1899,  and  his  appointments  have  been 
as  follows:  1899-1900,  at  school;  1901, 
A.  H.  WHITAKER        North  Sanford )  1902-03,  Wells  Bridge. 


Living  Preachers 


433 


Wilbur,  Henry  H.,  was  born  on  January  i6,  1852,  at  Mount 
Vision,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  converted  in  a  revival 
held  in  that  place  in  1868  and  at  once  joined  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  He  attended  public  and 
private  schools  in  Mount  Vision,  and  is 
also  a  graduate  of  the  Albany  State 
Normal  College,  class  of  1874.  He 
taught  school  several  years,  served  as 
supply  preacher  one  year,  and  joined 
the  Conference  in  1881.  His  father  was 
a  class  leader  about  twenty  years. 

On  January  12,  1876,  he  married 
Miss  Susie  A.  Fowler,  of  Troy,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows : 
1881,  Westville;  1882-83,  Masonville; 
1884-86,  Guilford;  1887-88,  Nicholson 
and  South  Gibson;  1889-90,  Nicholson; 
1891-93,  Lestershire;  1894-97,  Factory- 
ville;  1898-1903,  Tunkhannock.  henry  h.  wilbur 

Whiteman,  S.  Lee,  was  born  on  March  10,  1878,  in  the  town 
of  Middlefield,  N.  Y.,  near  the  village  of  Roseboom.    He  was 
converted  at  eight  years  of  age  in  a  revival  service  at  Middle- 
field  Center,  N.  Y.    In  November,  1891, 
he  united  with  the  church  at  Roseboom 
on  probation,  and  in  June,  1892,  he  was 
baptized  and  received  into  full  member- 
ship.   Early  in  life  he  believed  he  ought 
to  preach.    In  this  he  was  encouraged 
by  his  parents,  who  were  members  of 
the  same  church.    On  Sunday  evening, 
November  3,  1895,  he  preached  his  first 
sermon    in    the    Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  at  Middlefield.     Exhorter's  li- 
cense was  given  him  on  June  14,  1897, 
and  local  preacher's  license  on  May  28, 
1898,  by  the  Roseboom  Quarterly  Con- 
s.  LEE  WHITEMAN        fereucc — that  is,  the  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence of  Middlefield  charge,  which  was 
held  at  the  Roseboom  church. 

He  attended  the  Cooperstown  High  School  nearly  three  years, 
and  the  Cherry  Valley  Academy  one  term.    He  taught  school 
three  years.    After  supplying  Schuyler's  Lake  and  Exeter  about 
28 


434  Wyoming  Conference 

two  years  he  united  with  the  Conference  in  1903,  and  was  ap- 
pointed to  Castle  Creek. 

On  August  6,  1902,  he  married  Miss  Florence  E.  Loomis,  a 
teacher  in  the  High  School  at  Schuyler's  Lake. 

Wilcox,  William  S.,  was  born  in  Orange,  Pa.,  on  March  13, 
1866.  He  entered  Wyoming  Seminary  March  13,  1889,  where 
he  remained  three  years.    In  the  fall  of  1892  he  entered  Drew 

Theological  Seminary,  and  graduated  in 
1894. 

He  was  converted  at  Wyoming  Camp 
Meeting  on  August  22,  1883.  He  can- 
not tell  when  he  was  called  to  preach, 
but  felt  long  before  conversion  that  if 
he  was  ever  converted  he  would  have  to 
preach  the  Gospel.  On  March  13,  1899, 
he  was  given  an  exhorter's  license  by 
his  pastor,  Rev.  P.  M.  Mott,  and  on  Au- 
gust 17,  following,  he  received  a  local 
preacher's  license  from  the  Lehman 
Quarterly  Conference.  In  1893  he  was 
ordained  deacon,  and  joined  the  Confer- 
wiLLiAM  s.  WILCOX       Qncc  iu  1894. 

On  August  6,  1893,  he  married  Miss 
Alice  Spencer,  of  Lynn,  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  Her  broth- 
ers, J.  O.  and  David,  are  missionaries  in  Japan. 

He  has  served  the  following  charges:  1894,  Eaton;  1895-96, 
Askam;  1897-98,  Cherry  Ridge;  1899-1900,  Masonville;  1901- 
02,  East  Worcester;  1903,  Davenport  Center. 

Williams,  Hugh  A.,  was  born  on  October  12,  1862,  at  Har- 
ford, Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  He  attended  the  Harford  High 
School,  and  taught  school  two  terms.  Before  entering  the  min- 
istry he  had  nearly  finished  a  course  of  study  in  medicine.  He 
resided  in  Carbondale  several  years,  where  he  worked  at  his 
trade,  that  of  carpenter,  in  Mills  &  Baker's  sash  and  blind  fac- 
tory, and  at  railroad  work. 

He  was  converted  in  the  Carbondale  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  1887,  was  given  license  as  a  local  preacher  by 
the  Carbondale  Church,  and  united  with  the  Conference  in  1889. 

He  married  Miss  Alice  J.  Penwarden,  of  Waymart. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows :  1889-90,  Middlefield ; 
1891,  Fly  Creek;  1892-93,  Sherburne;  1894-95,  Unadilla;  1896, 


Living  Preachers 


435 


Worcester;  1897-98,  Guilford;  1899,  Hallstead ;  1900-01,  Ves- 
tal ;  1902-03,  Auburn. 

Williams,  Arthur  Orvis,  was  born  on  February  24,  1868,  in 
Council  Grove,  Morris  County,  Kan.,  and  is  the  son  of  Rev.  G. 
L.  Williams,  of  this  Conference.  He  attended  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary one  year,  Delaware  Literary  Insti- 
tute, at  Franklin,  N.  Y.,  four  years, 
graduating  in  1890,  and  Drew  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  three  years,  graduating  in 
1896. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1892, 
receiving  deacon's  orders  in  1897  and 
elder's  orders  in  1899. 

On  June  30,  1897,  he  married  Miss 
Harriet  M.  Blakeslee,  of  Blakeslee,  Mon- 
roe County,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows : 
1892-93,  Randolph ;  1894-95,  at  school ; 
1896-97,  Stoddartsville ;  1898- 1900,  Clif- 
ford; 1901-02,  Bethany;  1903,  Sterling.     arthur  o.  williams 

Wright,  Sanders  F.,  was  born  on  October  27,  1828,  in  the 
southeast  corner  of  Sanford  township,  Broome  County,  N.  Y. 
He  was  the  youngest  child  in  a  family  of  three  children — 
Vashti,  John  Van  Rensselaer,  and  S.  F. 
When  very  young  the  family  moved  into 
the  eastern  part  of  Harmony  township, 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa.  His  father 
and  his  wife's  father  and  her  oldest 
brother  were  in  the  War  of  181 2.  On 
August  25,  1850,  he  married  Miss  Eliza 
E.  Bryant,  of  Jackson,  Susquehanna 
County,  Pa.  In  the  same  year  he  bought 
a  farm  in  Wayne  County,  Pa.  Here  he 
remained  a  number  of  years  running  the 
farm  and  making  and  marketing  lumber. 
On  September  2,  1853,  his  brother,  who 
came  to  him  eight  days  before  from  New 
SANDERS  F.  WRIGHT  ^ork  city,  died.  This  was  the  beginning 
of  conviction  with  him.  From  that  time 
until  January  i,  1858,  he  had  a  struggle  with  doubts,  temptations, 
and  the  persistent  efforts  of  Universalist  friends  to  keep  him  from 


436 


Wyoming  Conference 


evangelical  Christianity.  On  this  day,  while  he  and  his  wife  were 
on  their  way  to  McClure  settlement,  on  a  visit,  their  conversation 
turned  to  religion,  and  both  resolved  to  serve  God.  He  made  a 
joyous  public  profession  soon  after.  He  joined  the  Church  at 
Stevens'  Point,  on  the  Lanesboro  charge,  and  in  the  fall  of  1858 
was  appointed  class  leader  and  given  an  exhorter's  license.  On 
January  2,  i860,  the  Lanesboro  Quarterly  Conference  gave  him  a^ 
local  preacher's  license,  which  was  renewed  in  1861-62  by  the 
Kingston  Quarterly  Conference.  In  1862  he  united  with  the  Con- 
ference. He  has  twice  been  supernumerary,  and  during  both 
years  did  supply  work.  Since  retiring  from  active  work  he  has 
resided  at  Ghent,  Bradford  County,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1862-63,  Stoddartsville ;  1864, 
Dundafif;  1865-66,  CHfford;  1867-68,  Blakely ;  1869-71,  Salem; 
1872-73,  Gibsonburg;  1874,  sy.,  and  supply  at  Union,  Pa.;  1875, 
W'aymart;  1876-78,  Mount  Pleasant;  1879-81,  Hornbrook;  1882- 
84,  Nichols;  1885,  Berkshire;  1886-87,  Le  Raysville;  1888-89, 
Barton;  1890,  sy.,  and  supply  at  Orwell;  1891,  Keen  Summit; 
1892-1903,  sd. 

Wood,  Stephen  H.,  was  born  on  June  12,  1847,  ^^^^  the  village 
of  Montgomery,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  the  youngest  of 
a  family  of  five  children.    His  parents  both  dying  l)efore  he  was 

three  years  old,  he  found  a  home  with  his  • 
widowed  aunt  until  he  was  eleven  years 
old,  when  he  was  started  to  work  his  way 
in  the  world.  At  sixteen  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  soldier  in  the  civil  war  and  served 
until  the  close,  about  eighteen  months. 
His  only  brother  was  killed  in  the  battle 
of  Cedar  Creek,  Va.,  in  September,  1864. 
His  educational  advantages  were  limited. 
After  his  conversion,  being  impressec' 
with  his  duty  to  preach,  he  entered  tht 
Whitesboro  Seminary,  in  Oneida  County, 
N.  Y.,  being  twenty-two  at  the  time  of 
entering. 

STEPHEN  H.  WOOD  I"  ^larch,  1872,  he  married  Miss  S. 

Estella  Wood,  of  Norwich,  N.  Y. 

He  preached  for  a  Free  Will  Baptist  Church  three  years,  after 
which  he  joined  this  Conference  in  1876.  Since  retiring  from 
active  work  he  has  lived  at  Afton,  N.  Y. 

His  pastoral  record  is  as  follows:  1876,  Nineveh;  1877,  De- 


Living  Preachers 


437 


catur;  1878-79,  Herrick  Center;  1880-82,  West  Nicholson;  1883- 
84,  North  Fenton;  1885-87,  Coventry;  1888-90,  West  Edmcston ; 
1891-92,  Gilbertsville ;  1893-95,  Smyrna;  1896-98,  Lisle;  1899, 
Chenango  Forks ;  1900-03,  sd. 

Williams,  George  L.,  was  born  on  November  28,  1836,  at 
Windham,  N.  Y.  He  received  his  education  at  district  schools ; 
Walton  Academy,  N.  Y. ;  Leavenworth  Institute,  Kan. ;  Dela- 
ware Literary  Institute,  Franklin,  N.  Y., 
and  has  completed  the  course  of  reading 
prescribed  by  the  Chautauqua  Literary 
and  Scientific  Circle.  His  father  was  a 
Free  Methodist  preacher,  and  he  is  the 
nephew  of  the  Rev.  George  L.  Fuller,  a 
preacher  of  fine  ability. 

He  has  been  twice  married.  Two  chil- 
dren by  the  first  wife  are  living — a 
daughter,  who  is  a  successful  school- 
teacher, and  a  son.  Rev.  A.  O.  Williams, 
of  this  Conference. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows : 
Kansas  Conference,  1864,  Hiawatha  and 
Sabatha;  1865,  Hartford;  1866,  Princi-     george  l.  williams 
pal  of    Hartford    Collegiate  Institute ; 

1867,  Council  Grove;  1868,  lola;  1869,  Osage  Mission;  Wyo- 
ming Conference,  1870-71,  Osborne  Hollow;  1872-73,  Horn- 
brook;  1874-76,  Herrick;  1877-78,  Rome;  1879-81,  Danby; 
1882-84,  Auburn;  1885-87,  Springville ;  1888-91,  Maine;  1892- 
96,  Fairdale;  1897-98,  Foster;  1899-1901,  North  Fenton;  1902- 
03,  Franklin  Forks. 

Wrigley,  Abel,  was  born  on  July  8,  1842,  in  Yorkshire,  Eng- 
iand,  and  came,  with  his  parents,  to  this  country,  in  Decem.ber, 
1848,  and  settled  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  He  attended  the 
common  school  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  then  attended  select 
schools  until  eighteen,  when  he  began  teaching.  He  attended 
school  but  two  terms  after  this.  He  was  converted  when  four- 
teen years  old  under  the  labors  of  Rev.  B.  B.  Emory.  He  early 
felt  called  to  the  ministry,  but  did  not  consent  to  enter  the  work 
until  thirty  years  old.  He  received  local  preacher's  license  in 
December,  1873,  1^75  became  a  supply  on  the  Springville 

Circuit,  Rev.  H.  G.  Harned  being  the  preacher  in  charge.  In  1876 
he  united  with  the  Conference. 


438 


Wyoming  Conference 


ABEL,  WRIGLEY 


.  He  answered  to  Governor  Curtin's 
call  when  the  State  was  invaded  by  the 
rebels,  and  thus  had  a  little  experience  in 
military  life  although  he  did  not  go  out 
of  the  State. 

On  February  8,  1863,  he  married  ]\Iiss 
jNlary  Chase.  A  son  and  several  daugh- 
ters have  been  born  to  them. 

His  record  of  pastorates  is  as  follows : 
1876-78,  Auburn;  1878-81,  Sanford ; 
1882-84,  Middlefield;  1885-87,  Fly 
Creek;  1888-90,  Westford ;  1891-93, 
Hart  wick;  1894-97,  Carverton ;  1898, 
Lehman;  1899- 1901,  Newton;  1902-03, 
Mill  City. 


Williams,  Martin  Van  Buren,  was  born  on  July  4,  1864, 
in  Apalachin,  Tioga  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  led  into  Christ's 
kingdom  on  January  29,  1888,  as  a  result  of  a  prolonged  fit  of 
sickness  and  the  prayers  of  a  faithful 
wife.  He  felt  a  call  to  the  ministry 
shortly  after  his  conversion  and  before 
he  was  off  his  sick  bed. 

His  educational  advantages  were  such 
as  the  common  school  of  Apalachin 
could  give  him  until  he  determined  to 
enter  the  ministry,  when  he  entered 
Wyoming  Seminary,  studying  there  two 
and  a  half  years,  after  which  he  entered 
Drew  Theological  Seminary,  graduating 
in  the  special  course  in  1897. 

He  joined  the  Conference  in  1897. 

He  was  married  on  February  4,  1888, 
to   Miss   Ettie   Hayes,    of   Apalachin,       m.  v.  b.  williams 
N.  Y.,  who  lived  but  eleven  months  after 

marriage.  He  was  again  married  on  May  10,  1898,  to  Miss  Cora 
Whiting,  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1897,  assistant  at  Cente- 
nary, Binghamton;  1898-1903,  Fairview,  Binghamton. 

Wilson,  Isaac  B.,  was  born  on  April  22,  1844,  at  Blairstown, 
N.  J.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  enjoyed  two 
years  in  Wyoming  Seminary.    His  father  was  a  class  leader  for 


Living  Preachers 


439 


many  years,  and  lived  to  be  ninety-one 
years  old.  He  was  converted  when  fif- 
teen years  of  age,  but  did  not  join 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  until 
twenty-six. 

On  December  23,  1865,  he  married 
Miss  Margaret  J.  Newman,  of  Hard- 
wick,  N.  J.,  who  died  on  June  24,  1872. 
On  May  9,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Ce- 
linda  D.  Sherer,  of  Watertown,  Luzerne 
County,  Pa.,  who  died  on  November  i, 
1891.  On  October  2,  1895,  he  married 
Miss  Julia  R.  Moody,  of  Spencer,  N.  Y. 

He  supplied  Lehman  as  junior  preacher 
in  1875-76,  and  Maple  Grove  in  1877. 

In  1878-79  he  was  at  school,  and  in  1880  joined  the  Conference. 

His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1880-81,  Yatesville;  1882- 
84,  Taylorville;  1885,  Gilbertsville ;  1886-87,  Chenango  Forks; 
1888-90,  Flemingville ;  1891-95,  Spencer;  1896-98,  Camptown; 
1899-1900,  Meshoppen;  1901-03,  Slaterville. 


ISAAC  B.  WILSON 


Young,  Frank  W.,  was  born  at  Mendota,  111.,  on  July  20,  1867. 
His  conversion  occurred  in  December,  1886,  during  union  meet- 
ings in  the  city  of  Binghamton  conducted  by  Dwight  L. 
Moody.  The  call  to  the  ministry  came  some  time  after  con- 
version, and  was  not  readily  assented  to, 
as  he  was  ambitious  for  a  business  ca- 
reer. After  four  years,  in  which  he  had 
severe  struggles  with  self,  he  became  sub- 
missive to  the  divine  will.  In  the  spring 
of  1 89 1  he  entered  Wyoming  Seminary. 
After  his  work  here  he  entered  Drew 
Theological  Seminary,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1896.  He  received  local 
preacher's  license  from  the  Tabernacle 
Church,  Binghamton,  on  December  9, 
1890,  and  deacon's  orders  from  the  New- 
ark Conference  in  1895.  He  united  with 
this  Conference  in  1896. 

On  October  i,  1889,  he  married  Miss 
Cora  F.  Dunckell. 
His  pastorates  have  been  as  follows:  1896-98,  Clark's  Summit; 
1899-1902,  Dallas;  1903,  Montrose, 


FRANK  W.  YOUNG 


440 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  XI 
BINGHAMTOIS^  DISTRICT 

Auburn,  Pa. 

Springville  Circuit  was  a  very  large  one,  and  its  growth 
made  a  division  necessary.  At  the  fourth  Quarterly  Conference 
held  at  Lymanville  on  February  27,  1858,  it  was  decided  that  the 
division  should  be  made  at  once.  The  new  circuit  appears  in  the 
list  of  appointments  of  1858.  It  took  its  name  from  the  township 
in  which  most  of  the  appointments  are  situated,  and  contained  the 
following  appointments:  Overfield,  White's  (or  Bennett's)  Cor- 
ners, Auburn  Four  Corners,  Cartertown,  Dunmore,  and  Eddy. 
The  first  pastor  was  John  Mulkey,  a  superannuate  who  was  made 
effective  and  served  the  charge  one  year.  The  first  Quarterly 
Conference  was  held  in  Daniel  Carter's  barn  in  Cartertown. 

During  the  first  three  or  four  years  of  the  circuit's  history  it 
received  $100  per  year  from  the  Missionary  Society. 

In  1864  the  official  members  of  the  circuit  became  an  incorpo- 
rate body,  with  the  following  as  trustees :  James  Kasson,  A.  W. 
Gray,  Charles  Fessenden,  Lyman  Cogswell,  James  Moore,  Samuel 
Bertholf,  Thomas  S.  James,  Daniel  Carter,  and  Daniel  Sterling. 
The  trustees  hold  the  property  of  the  circuit.  In  1886  the 
trustees  were  James  Kasson,  J.  B.  Beardsley,  B,  E.  James,  I.  R. 
Low,  C.  W.  Pierson,  Griswold  Carter,  Elias  Titman.  After  the 
completion  of  the  church  at  the  Center  the  three  following  trus- 
tees were  added  to  the  board :  John  Tewksbury,  Dr.  G.  M.  Har- 
rison, Leander  Lott. 

In  1870  the  circuit  comprised  the  following  appointments : 
Cartertown,  Shannon  Hill,  Kasson  Corners,  East  Rush,  Rush 
Four  Corners,  and  Auburn  Corners.  In  1886  the  following  com- 
prised the  circuit:  Auburn  Four  Corners,  Auburn  Center,  East 
Rush,  Shannon  Hill,  and  Retta. 

In  the  fall  of  1870  a  delegation  from  the  Jersey  Hill  Protestant 
Methodist  Church  met  with  the  Quarterly  Conference  at  Carter- 
town,  and  asked  to  have  their  appointment  supplied  by  the  min- 
ister of  Auburn  charge,  to  which  the  Quarterly  Conference  agreed. 
The  arrangement  proved  so  satisfactory  that  the  members  of  the 
Jersey  Hill  Church  asked  to  be  received  into  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  1872.   It  took  a  little  time  to  secure  the  transfer 


Auburn,  Pa. 


441 


of  property.  It  was  done,  however,  and  in  1873  they  became 
a  part  of  Auburn  Circuit. 

In  order  to  accommodate  the  Jersey  Hill  people,  it  became 
necessary  to  make  the  Rush  Corners  class  a  week-day  evening 
appointment.  To  this  the  Rush  Corners  people  cheerfully  agreed. 
However,  they  subsequently  became  dissatisfied  with  the  arrange- 
ment and  refused  week-day  preaching.  They  invited  the  pastor 
of  Rush  Mission  to  give  them  a  Sunday  service.  After  consulting 
the  Auburn  pastor  he  consented  to  do  so.  This  eventually  led  to 
the  transfer  of  this  preaching  place  to  the  Rush  charge. 

Auburn  Four  Corners.  In  June,  1880,  steps  were  taken  toward 
building  a  church  at  Auburn  Four  Corners.  A  lot  for  the  church 
was  given  by  E.  L.  Adams.  A  subscription  was  circulated,  and 
when  about  $1,500  was  secured  a  meeting  was  called  and  the  fol- 
lowing building  committee  elected :  James  Kasson,  D.  C.  Titman, 
and  Rev.  H.  C.  McDermott.  The  society  furnished  hemlock 
lumber  and  laid  the  foundation.  The  balance  of  the  work  was 
awarded  by  contract  to  E.  L.  Adams:  The  corner  stone  was  laid 
on  September  28,  1880,  with  appropriate  ceremonies  and  an  ad- 
dress by  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman.  On  September  13,  1881,  the  build- 
ing was  dedicated.  The  building  with  fittings  cost  $2,200.  After 
a  sermon  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman,  at  10  a.  m.,  $355  was  asked  for 
and  $435  given.  In  the  evening  Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner  preached. 
Revs.  F.  A.  Dony,  G.  O.  Beers,  and  C.  H,  Basford  were  present 
and  participated  in  the  services  of  the  day. 

Auburn  Center.  The  class  Vv'as  first  organized  in  1871  or  1872 
by  uniting  a  few  members  of  Jersey  Hill  with  a  few  at  Auburn 
Center,  with  preaching  services  every  two  weeks  at  Jersey  Hill. 
In  the  spring  of  1886  a  subscription  paper  was  circulated  for  the 
building  of  a  church  at  Auburn  Center.  Enough  was  secured  to 
warrant  success.  The  following  building  committee  gave  efficient 
service:  A.  L.  Pierson,  Leander  Lott,  Dr.  G.  M.  Harrison, 
William  Stevens,  and  Elias  Titman.  The  contract  was  let  to 
Elias  Titman  for  $1,450.  The  building  is  a  Gothic  structure, 
30x44  feet,  standing  on  an  elevated  piece  of  ground,  and  presents 
an  attractive  picture.  In  its  tower  is  the  only  church  bell  in 
Auburn  township.  The  building  and  furnishings  cost  about 
$2,000.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  July  3,  1886,  Rev.  Thomas 
Harroun  making  the  address ;  and  the  building  was  dedicated  on 
November  10,  1886,  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the 
morning  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin,  D.D.,  in  the  evening.  Preaching 
services  are  held  here  once  in  two  weeks.    This  society  was 


442 


Wyoming  Conference 


visited  with  a  gracious  revival  in  1895,  resulting  in  sixty-seven 
probationers.  In  1893  the  plastering  of  this  church  fell.  The 
room  was  then  ceiled  with  Georgia  pine  at  a  cost  of  $300.  The 
Epworth  League  and  Ladies'  Aid  Society  are  very  efficient. 

Elk  Lake.  This  class  was  organized  about  1826.  In  1876  a 
great  revival  occurred,  resulting  in  about  eighty  conversions. 
After  having  been  a  part  of  Rush  Circuit  a  number  of  years  it  was 
put  on  Auburn  Circuit  in  1892.  From  the  time  of  organization 
to  the  occupancy  of  the  church  the  class  worshiped  in  a  school- 
house.  In  1899  Miss  Sallie  Stevens  and  Mr.  J.  G.  Cart  gave  the 
society  a  beautiful  lot,  on  which  a  pretty  church  was  built  costing 
about  $1,000.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  December  19,  1899, 
by  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd.  Mr.  E.  W.  Stedman  presented  the  church 
with  a  beautiful  organ. 

Craig  Hill.  This  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment,  having  services 
once  in  two  weeks.  There  has  been  a  class  at  this  place  over  sixty 
years.  Thomas  Bayley  was  class  leader  here  about  sixty  years 
ago.  Rev.  John  W.  Davidson  preached  in  the  old  schoolhouse  in 
1841.  This  class  was  taken  from  the  Springville  Circuit  and 
added  to  Auburn  Circuit  in  1892. 

Shannon  Hill.  This  class  worshiped  in  a  schoolhouse  for  many 
years.  A  church  was  earnestly  desired.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society 
agreed  to  build  the  foundation.  About  $1,400  was  received  on 
subscription  toward  the  building.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on 
August  13,  1901,  with  appropriate  services,  Revs.  H.  B.  Bene- 
dict, J.  S.  Custard,  I.  J.  Smith,  and  H.  B.  Burns  participating. 
Plans  were  made  to  dedicate  the  church  in  April,  but  a  storm  on 
the  day  fixed  prevented.  On  May  6,  1902,  the  building  was  dedi- 
cated. It  had  cost,  with  furnishings,  $2,250,  and  was  all  provided 
for  except  $317,  which  was  raised  on  this  day.  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd 
preached  in  the  morning,  and  Rev.  A.  Griffin  in  the  afternoon. 
Revs.  L.  T.  Van  Campen,  A.  Wrigley,  and  I.  J.  Smith  were  pres- 
ent and  participated  in  the  services.  This  appointment  was  known 
as  Overfield  until  1858,  when  it  was  changed  to  Shannon  Hill. 

White's  {or  Bennett's)  Corners  was  a  schoolhouse  appointment 
two  miles  south  of  Auburn  Corners.   It  has  been  dropped. 

Cartertown  is  now  on  the  Rush  charge,  and  known  as  Retta. 

Dunmore  was  about  four  miles  northwest  of  Auburn  Corners, 
and  is  now  known  as  Rush  Four  Corners. 

Eddy  is  now  on  the  Rush  charge,  and  known  as  East  Rush, 


Centenary  Church,  Binghamton 


443 


Kasson  Corners  was  a  schoolhouse  appointment  about  two  and 
a  half  miles  from  Auburn  Corners.  It  was  dropped  some  years 
ago. 

For  many  years  the  parsonage  was  about  one  mile  southwest 
of  Auburn  Corners,  on  land  of  J.  B.  Beardsley,  and  a  few  rods 
west  of  his  home.  It  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1863  and  spring  of 
1864,  the  church  having  the  use  of  land  only.  When  the  new 
parsonage  was  built  Mr.  Beardsley  bought  the  old' one,  giving 
$600  for  it.  About  two  years  afterward  it  burned  to  the  ground. 
In  1885  the  new  parsonage  was  built  at  Auburn  Corners.  The 
lot  cost  $100,  and  the  building  $1,164.10.  W.  A.  Bennett  was  the 
contractor,  and  B.  E.  James,  Griswold  Carter,  Elias  Titman,  and 
Rev.  J.  H.  Taylor  the  building  committee. 

Pastorates 

1858,  John  Mulkey ;  1859,  Cromwell  Pearce ;  i860,  J.  V.  Newell ; 
1861-62,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1863-64,  A.  J.  Arnold;  1865-67,  J.  H. 
Weston;  1868-69,  J-  F.  Wilbur;  1870-72,  George  Greenfield; 
1873-75,  Silas  Barner;  1876-78,  A.  Wrigley;  1879-81,  H.  C.  Mc- 
Dermott;  1882-84,  G.  L.  Williams;  1885-87,  J.  H.  Taylor;  1888- 
92,  W.  H.  Stang;  1893-94,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1895-97,  Isaac  Jenkins; 
1898-99,  L.  T.  Van  Campen;  1900-01,  Thomas  Eva;  1902-03, 
H.  A.  Williams. 

Binghamton,  N.  Y. — Centenary 
We  insert  with  this  sketch  a  drawing  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Stillwell, 
now  an  aged  and  much-loved  member  of  Centenary  Church.  W^e 
are  indebted  to  him  for  many  of  our  facts  concerning  Bingham- 
ton Methodism.  The  tree  gives  the  original  members  as  roots, 
shows  the  split  and  its  healing,  and  also  the  origin  of  the  other 
societies  in  the  city. 

In  18 1 2  Joseph  Manning,  Lydia  Manning,  his  wife,  and  Sally, 
their  daughter,  then  about  eight  years  old,  moved  to  Binghamton, 
then  known  as  Chenango  Point.  Two  years  later  Peter  Wentz, 
his  wife  Margaret,  and  a  young  girl  named  Penina  Rood,  moved 
into  the  place.  All  of  these  persons  were  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  except  Mrs.  Wentz,  who  was  converted 
and  united  with  the  Church  in  1818.  Joseph  Manning  was  a 
natural  leader.  He  established  prayer  services  at  his  house,  which 
was  located  on  the  south  side  of  Main  Street  at  the  west  end  of 
the  Chenango  bridge,  near  one  of  the  twin  elms,  the  remains  of 
which  are  still  visible.  Mr.  Manning  appealed  to  the  preacher  in 
charge  of  Broome  Circuit  for  pastoral  oversight,  and  a  preacher 


444 


Wyoming  Conference 


Centenary  Church,  Binghamton 


445 


was  promised.  Accordingly,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Doolittle  was  sent  to 
organize  the  work  in  the  fall  of  1817.  He  arranged  to  preach  at 
Manning's  house  once  in  three  weeks.  No  record  of  these  early 
days  has  been  found,  but  according  to  Sally  Manning,  who  stated 
in  1874  these  facts,  the  class  at  organization  consisted  of  Joseph 
Manning,  Lydia  Manning,  Sally  Manning,  Peter  Wentz,  and 
Penina  Rood,  with  Joseph  Manning  as  class  leader.  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet Wentz  was  one  of  the  first  converts  to  join  the  society. 
Meetings  were  held  for  some  time  in  Mr.  Manning's  house,  sub- 
sequently in  the  village  schoolhouse,  afterward  in  the  Mcintosh 
building  and  not  unfrequently  in  the  courthouse.  This  courthouse 
was  a  log  structure,  24x36  feet,  standing  on  Court  and  Chenango 
Streets,  where  the  Perry  block  now  stands.  The  lower  story 
contained  two  cells  made  of  logs  for  prison  purposes,  and  the 
balance  of  the  story  was  used  by  the  sherifif  for  a  family  residence, 
the  upper  story  being  used  for  court,  political,  and  religious  pur- 
poses. Soon  after  its  formation  the  society  became  a  recognized 
part  of  Broome  Circuit.  In  1820  its  members  had  increased  to 
twenty-seven.  About  this  time  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
secure  a  location  and  provide  a  church  building.  In  1821  a  re- 
quest was  presented  to  the  Bingham  estate,  through  General 
Whitney,  its  agent,  for  the  donation  of  a  lot  for  church  purposes. 
The  request  was  granted,  and  the  lot  on  Henry  Street,  containing 
about  two  acres,  was  conveyed  to  the  society  in  1822.  At  a  meet- 
ing held  in  the  schoolhouse  on  November  24,  1821,  at  which  Sela 
Payne  and  Moses  Dyer  presided,  the  society  was  incorporated, 
and  Ely  Osborn,  Isaac  Page,  Moses  Dyer,  Jonah  Mushprat,  Sela 
Payne,  John  Whitham,  and  Charles  Stone  were  made  trustees. 
The  Episcopal  society  had  built  a  church  six  years  before  this 
time.  Desiring  to  build  a  better  and  larger  building,  they  offered 
their  church  for  sale.  The  Methodist  Church  bought  the  building, 
tradition  says  for  one  dollar,  and  at  an  expense  of  about  $170 
moved  it  on  to  the  Henry  Street  lot.  The  Methodists  deemed  the 
securing  of  this  building  as  providential.  It  was  a  very  ordinary 
and  commonplace-looking  building,  but  with  a  little  improvement 
lasted  the  society  many  years  without  alteration. 

Anyone  desirous  of  seeing  the  identical  church  built  by  the 
Episcopalians  in  1816  and  sold  to  the  Methodists  in  1822  can  do 
so  by  going  to  the  rear  of  the  block  used  by  the  Republican  Pub- 
lishing Company.  It  is  now  used  by  the  Republican  Company  as 
a  storage  room. 

The  society  at  this  time  numbered  forty-four  members,  and 
owed  $140.    The  inside  of  the  church  was  not  remodeled.  The 


446 


Wyoming  Conference 


pew  doors  were  left  on  their  hinges,  and  out  of  respect  to  the 
donor  the  elevated  pulpit,  called  the  "hawk's  nest,"  was  retained. 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  village  brought  additions  to  church 
membership,  and  in  1831  the  society  thought  it  could  do  better 
work  if  set  off  from  the  circuit  and  made  a  station.  This  was 
done  in  1832. 

Mr.  Stilwell  gives  the  following  list  of  pastors  prior  to  1832: 
1817,  Ebenezer  Doolittle ;  1818,  L  Arnold;  1819,  H.  G.  Warner; 
1820,  W.  Luce;  1821,  Horace  Agard;  1822,  John  Sayre;  1823, 
Solon  Stocking;  1824,  Gaylord  Judd ;  1825,  George  Evans;  1826, 
H.  P.  Barnes;  1827,  M.  K.  Cushman ;  1828,  Philo  Barbary ;  1829, 
B.  Shipman;  1830,  Silas  Comfort;  1831,  Silas  Comfort  and 
Nelson  Rounds. 

By  comparing  this  with  the  appointments  for  Broome  Circuit 
during  those  years  some  serious  discrepancies  will  be  found.  The 
appointments  as  given  for  the  circuit  are  taken  from  the  published 
Minutes.  We  know,  however,  that  in  those  days  the  presiding 
elders  frequently  made  changes  in  their  work  just  after  Confer- 
ence and  during  the  year,  which,  with  possible  inaccuracies  of 
memory,  would  give  room  for  the  disagreement. 

When  the  society  began  its  career  as  a  station  it  became  known 
as  Henry  Street  Church  and  had  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
members. 

From  1832  to  1852  the  church  did  not  thrive  as  many  desired. 
The  city  grew  to  over  four  thousand  population,  but  the  principal 
streets  did  not  center  toward  the  church.  The  location  seemed 
unfortunate  from  the  beginning.  It  had  no  debt,  and  no  desire 
for  improvement  of  church  property.  And  some  regretted  the 
expenditifre  of  $1,700  in  1846,  which  added  thirty  feet  to  the 
length  of  the  building  and  remodeled  the  interior.  The  society 
had  a  fair  portion  of  good  business  men  among  its  members,  yet 
the  church  was  not  considered  thrifty,  and  the  building,  which 
was  not  at  all  artistic  in  appearance,  came  to  be  called  ''The 
Methodist  Eel  Pot." 

In  1 85 1  W.  H.  Pearne,  the  pastor,  appointed  a  committee  to 
consider  the  wants  of  the  church,  select  a  better  location,  dispose 
of  the  old  church  building,  if  possible,  and  take  preliminary  steps 
for  the  erection  of  a  new  church.  The  report  of  this  committee, 
which  was  well  intended,  proved  a  disastrous  move  for  Methodism 
in  Binghamton  for  the  following  fifteen  years.  The  committee 
suggested  the  society  be  divided  into  two  divisions ;  that  two 
churches  be  organized,  one  on  the  east  and  one  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Chenango  River.   This  seemed  a  very  wise  move.   At  that 


Centenary  Church,  BiNGHAMXoisr  447 


time  the  west  side  of  the  river  was  an  open  field,  there  being  no 
Protestant  church  in  that  section.  Accordingly,  the  church  pro- 
ceeded with  the  mutual  division  of  its  membership,  before  the 
property  had  been  sold,  which  consisted  of  the  Henry  Street 
church  property,  valued  at  $4,600,  a  parsonage  on  Chenango 
Street,  valued  at  $2,600,  and  a  house  and  lot  on  Main  and  Oak- 
Streets,  valued  at  $2,100.  Could  the  property  have  been  sold  at 
these  prices,  and  the  proceeds  divided,  the  committee's  plan  would 
have  been  a  success.  The  society  which  was  to  locate  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river  refused  to  buy  the  Henry  Street  church  at  the 
above  valuation,  or  to  improve  the  property,  or  continue  church 
work  upon  the  premises.  The  Henry  Street  church  had  not  been 
disbanded,  and,  the  compact  having  failed,  the  trustees,  still  hold- 
ing the  property,  refused  to  make  any  division.  This  created  a 
feeling  between  the  two  societies  in  which  neither  was  fully 
justified. 

The  new  society  set  off  proceeded  to  properly  organize  itself, 
and  on  June  30,  1851,  became  an  incorporated  body  under  the 
title  of  ''The  Second  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  of  Binghamton," 
with  P.  B.  Brooks,  J.  W.  Corbin,  R.  W.  Hinds,  I.  T.  Cary,  Stew- 
art Wills,  R.  Service,  and  E.  W.  Bingham  as  trustees.  The  com- 
mittee appointed  to  secure  a  location  found  a  deserted  church  on 
the  corner  of  Court  and  CaroU  Streets.  This  church  had  been 
built  by  some  seceders  from  the  old  church  in  1841,  who  were 
known  as  Protestant  Methodists.  The  building  was  about  40x70, 
built  of  wood,  with  pulpit,  pews,  plain  plastered  ceiling,  and  a 
seating  capacity  of  about  four  hundred  and  fifty.  This  was  pur- 
chased for  $1,000;  $375  was  expended  in  putting  the  property  into 
shape  for  use.  This  society  was  commonly  called  the  Court 
Street  Church.  It  had  one  hundred  and  twenty  members,  and  a 
Sunday  school  of  sixty  scholars.  The  bishop  was  asked  to  send 
a  pastor,  and  soon  Rev.  George  P.  Porter  was  sent  to  them. 

We  give  here  the  pastorates  of  this  Court  Street  Church :  185 1, 
George  P.  Porter;  1852,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1853,  E.  Owen;  1854,  E. 
Owen  and  E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1855,  B.  W.  Gorham;  1856,  P.  S. 
Worden;  1857,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1858-59,  J.  A.  Wood;  i860,  B.  W. 
Gorham;  1861-62,  D.  C.  Olmstead ;  1863,  P.  S.  Worden;  1864, 
G.  H.  Blakeslee. 

The  bitterness  aroused  by  the  separation  gradually  died  out,  and 
a  conviction  arose  that  the  two  churches  ought  to  unite  and  form 
a  strong  center  of  Christian  work.  This  conviction  grew  with 
passing  years,  until  in  1865  steps  were  taken  toward  amalgama- 
tion.   When  the  two  societies  were  brought  together  it  was  dis- 


448 


Wyoming  Conference 


covered  that  they  had  gained  less  than  one  hundred  members  in 
sixteen  years. 

Early  in  1865  amalgamation  began,  Thomas  H.  Pearne  being 
the  pastor  of  Henry  Street  at  the  time.  Court  Street  was  left 
without  a  pastor,  with  the  union  in  view.  A  new  charter  was 
granted  on  April  3,  1865,  the  society  taking  the  corporate  name  of 
"The  ^Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Binghamton,"  and  Eli 
Pratt,  William  Hanlon,  William  J.  Rennie,  H.  W.  Horton,  Joseph 
Bartholomew,  John  S.  Conklin,  Lowell  Harding,       T.  Winton, 

and  H.  F.  Bronson  were  elected 


trustees.  Some  time  after  the  in- 
corporation Thomas  H.  Pearne  re- 
signed, and  D.  W.  Bristol  was  em- 
ployed. Ground  was  secured  for  a 
new  church  on  the  corner  of  Court 
and  Centenary  Streets,  and  prepara- 
tions for  building  begun.  The  build- 
ing is  of  brick  with  sandstone  trim- 
mings, and  Gothic  in  style.  The 
building  is  68x152  feet,  the  rear  end 
of  which  is  fitted  up  for  prayer 
meeting  and  Sunday  school  work. 
The  tower  is  180  feet  high  and  has 
a  bell  weighing  3,000  pounds.  The 
church  cost  about  $53,000,  and  was 
dedicated  on  Thursday,  July  9, 
1868.  Bishop  Janes  preached  in  the 
afternoon  from  Isa.  vi,  1-4,  and  Dr. 
R.  S.  Foster  preached  in  the  even- 
ing from  Isa.  ix,  6.    Ten  thousand 


CENTENARY,  BINGHAM  TON      dollars  was  Subscribed  during  the 

day  toward  paying  the  debt. 
In  1 89 1  $4,000  was  spent  on  the  interior,  the  floor  made  bowling, 
a  gallery  put  in,  walls  newly  frescoed,  and  floor  recarpeted.  The 
main  floor  will  seat  about  eight  hundred  and  fifty  and  the  gallery 
about  four  hundred  and  fifty.  In  1895  S8,ooo  was  expended  in 
enlarging  and  refitting  the  Sunday  school  and  prayer  rooms.  The 
acoustic  properties  of  the  auditorium  were  much  improved  by 
these  alterations,  so  that  now  it  is  a  very  pleasant  room  to  speak 
in.  In  1899  $18,500  was  raised,  $7,000  of  which  was  applied  on 
old  debt,  $4,500  in  the  purchase  of  lot  adjoining  the  church  on 
Court  Street,  $3,000  for  a  new  pipe  organ,  and  $4,000  on 
exterior  improvements  to  the  building. 


Centenary  Church,  Binghamton  449 


The  parsonage  is  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  facing  Centenary 
Street. 

Several  great  revivals  have  been  reported.  In  i860  230  con- 
versions were  reported;  from  October,  1876,  to  March,  1877, 
over  400  conversions  were  claimed;  and  from  December  31,  1884, 
to  February  12,  1885,  250  persons  professed  conversion. 

The  church  has  sustained  several  missions  in  the  city,  which 
have  developed  into  thrifty  churches. 

By  common  consent  the  society  has  been  called  Centenary 
Church  for  years,  probably  from  the  fact  that  it  began  its  cor- 
porate existence  about  the  time  of  Methodism's  centenary  in 
1866. 

Henry  Street  Church  entertained  the  Oneida  Conference  in 
September,  1836,  and  July,  1847,  the  Wyoming  Conference 
in  July,  1856,  and  April,  1868.  Centenary  Church  entertained  the 
Wyoming  Conference  in  April,  1876,  April,  1883,  and  again  in 
April,  1896. 

We  give  the  pastorates  of  the  Henry  Street  and  Centenary 
Churches  below : 

1832-33,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1834-35,  J.  S.  Mitchell;  1836,  H.  Col- 
burn;  1837,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1838,  Robert  Fox;  1839,  Joseph  Cross; 
1840,  W.  H.  Pearne;  1841-42,  Freeman  H.  Stanton;  1843-44, 
Abel  Barker;  1845-46,  T.  H.  Pearne;  1847,  A.  J.  Dana;  1848-49, 
Z.  Paddock;  1850-51,  W.  H.  Pearne;  1852,  B.  W.  Gorham;  1853, 
J.  W.  Davison;  1854,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1855-57,  A.  P.  Mead;  1858- 
59,  T.  D.  Walker;  i860,  Z.  Paddock,  E.  Owen;  1861,  Z.  Paddock; 
1862,  W.  Wyatt;  1863-64,  W.  B.  Westlake;  1865,  T.  H.  Pearne; 
1866-67,  D.  W.  Bristol;  1868,  J.  D.  Adams;  1869-71,  W.  H.  Olin; 
1872-74,  L.  C.  Floyd;  1875-77,  Austin  Griffin;  1878-80,  I.  T. 
Walker;  1881-83,  W.  H.  Olin;  1884-85,  O.  W.  Scott;  1886-90, 
M.  S.  Hard;  i89i-94>4,  G.  M.  Colville;  1894^^-97,  J.  H.  Race; 
1898-1900,  Henry  Tuckley;  1901,  supply;  1902-03,  J.  M.  Taber. 

Binghamton,  N.  Y. — Tabernacle 

In  the  spring  of  1872  the  Centenary  Church  appointed  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd,  W.  H.  Stilwell,  N.  T. 
Childs,  and  E.  N.  Harris,  to  look  over  the  city  missionary  field  and 
report  at  an  early  date.  The  committee  reported  that  the  field  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river  demanded  better  work,  that  it  was  ready 
for  reapers,  and  suggested  the  organization  of  work  in  that  sec- 
tion at  once.  The  opposition  to  swarming  at  this  time  was  on  the 
ground  that  it  would  break  into  the  sinking  fund  plan,  which  was 
29 


450 


Wyomixg  Conference 


operating  nicely  in  reducing  the  church  debt,  and  leave  the  mother 
church  with  a  heavy  debt — almost  $16,000.  But  the  time  had 
come  for  the  members  living  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  to  form 
a  new  society,  and  they  resolved  to  do  so. 

In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1871  and  1872  a  few  members  of  the 
Centenary  Church  started  a  series  of  meetings  on  the  west  side 
among  the  students  and  in  the  school  kept  by  Miss  Ingalls,  on 
Front  Street,  a  few  doors  from  Main  Street.  This  school  was  in 
spirit  under  the  influence  of  Methodism,  and  the  interest  in  this 
revival  work  so  increased  as  to  form  the  nucleus  for  the  new 
church  in  that  part  of  the  city. 


After  incorporation  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  ^Main  and  Arthur 
Streets  was  bought  for  $11,500.  The  lot  is  137  feet  on  Main 
Street,  and  212  feet  on  Arthur  Street,  and  had  a  house  on  the 
rear,  which  has  been  so  improved  as  to  make  a  very  desirable 
parsonage.  One  hundred  and  forty  members  were  set  off  from 
Centenary  Church  to  form  this  society.  In  the  spring  of  1873 
the  society  asked  for  a  pastor,  and  their  request  was  granted.  A 
hemlock  structure  called  the  Tabernacle  was  erected  to  give  tem- 
porary shelter  for  the  congregation.  It  was  30x80  feet  in  size, 
with  twelve-foot  posts,  and  covered  on  the  inside  with  manilla 
paper.    Seated  with  chairs,  which  were  very  comfortable,  the 


TABERNACLE,  BIXGHAMTOX 


Tabernacle  Church,  Binghamton  451 


novelty  of  the  building  and  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people  made  the 
Tabernacle  at  once  popular,  and  the  building  was  usually  well 
filled. 

The  growth  of  the  society  was  rapid  for  a  few  years.  In 
1883  it  was  thought  the  time  was  ripe  for  building  a  substantial 
church  edifice.  The  corner  stone  of  the  present  church  was  laid 
on  Monday,  September  3,  1883,  at  2:30  p.  m.  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman 
delivered  the  address  of  the  occasion  and  laid  the  stone.  Bishop 
Foster  had  preached  to  the  congregation  on  the  Sunday  previous 
in  Lester  Hall,  and  was  present  at  the  corner  stone  laying.  Dur- 
ing the  erection  of  the  church  the  congregation  worshiped  with 
the  Centenary  people.  The  church  is  a  Gothic  building  112x83 
feet,  built  of  brick  with  cut  stone  trimmings.  The  west  tower  is 
100  feet  high  and  the  east  tower  70  feet.  The  main  audience 
room  is  50x70  feet  square,  with  bowling  floor,  and  a  gallery, 
capable  of  seating  one  thousand  people.  The  Sunday  school  room 
is  in  the  rear  of  the  auditorium  and  so  arranged  that  it  can  be 
used  as  an  annex  to  the  auditorium.  Its  organ  cost  about  $1,700. 
Many  of  the  windows  are  memorial.  Windows  are  here  to  the 
memory  of  Rev.  Solon  Stocking,  Dr.  Z.  Paddock,  J.  C.  Maney, 
James  Stevens,  and  one  to  Miss  Ruth  Ingalls,  by  her  pupils.  The 
building  and  furnishings  exclusive  of  lot  cost  $42,442.63.  About 
$15,000  had  been  raised  by  subscription,  $10,000  in  bonds  had 
been  issued,  and  $15,972  was  needed  to  be  raised  on  the  day  of 
dedication,  which  was  on  September  14,  1884.  At  10:30  a.  m. 
Dr.  C.  N.  Sims  preached  from  Psa.  cxxxvii,  5,  6,  and  in  the  even- 
ing Dr.  J.  P.  Newman  preached  from  Acts  iv,  12.  Dr.  Sims 
managed  the  finances  during  the  day,  and  secured  $12,000  in  sub- 
scriptions. At  the  close  of  the  evening  service  Dr.  Olin  dedicated 
the  church. 

In  December,  1888,  about  $8,000  was  raised,  which  paid  the 
indebtedness  of  the  society,  with  the  exception  of  the  bonded 
indebtedness  of  $10,000.  This  was  paid  in  the  winter  of  1898 
and  1899. 

The  Tabernacle  Church  entertained  the  Conference  in  April, 
1890,  and  again  in  April,  1903. 

Pastorates 

1873-75,  A.  D.  Alexander;  1876-78,  T.  Harroun ;  1879-81,  J.  B. 
Sumner;  1882-83,  E.  W.  Caswell;  1884-85,  A.  L.  Smalley;  1886- 
90,  G.  M.  Colville;  1891-93,  A.  Griffin;  1894-98,  E.  B.  Olmstead; 
1 899- 1903,  A.  W.  Hayes. 


452 


Wyoming  Conference 


BiXGHAMTON,  X.  Y. — High  Street 

The  Centenary  Church  ran  a  Sunday  school  in  this  vicinity 
several  years,  occupying  a  wagon  shop.  The  mission  was  con- 
sidered a  very  thrifty  one.  Several  conversions  added  much  to 
the  interest  of  the  work.  In  1873  the  members  of  Centenary 
Church  Hving  on  the  south  side  of  the  Susquehanna  River  asked 
their  pastor  to  aid  them  in  securing  a  site  and  erecting  a  building 
to  be  known  as  High  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Cen- 
tenary Church  dismissed  forty-three  members  to  organize  this 


HIGH  STREET,  EIXGHAMTOX 

society,  and  gave  eighty  of  its  Sunday  school  scholars.  Organiza- 
tion was  completed,  a  lot  purchased,  and  a  chapel  erected  on  it 
26x40,  a  modest  building,  seated  with  chairs.  Lot  and  building 
cost  about  $1,600.  The  society  thought  at  first  it  could  supply 
itself  with  local  preachers,  but  as  the  work  grew  it  felt  the  need 
of  more  thorough  supervision.  It  accordingly  asked  the  Con- 
ference for  a  pastor.  After  being  supplied  in  1874  and  1875  by 
Rev.  Joseph  Hartwell,  the  Conference  sent  Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner 
here  in  1875.  He  was  the  means  of  the  society's  becoming  incor- 
porated, and  placed  it  upon  a  sound  financial  basis.  As  the  church 
grew,  the  little  chapel  was  enlarged  until  it  could  be  enlarged  no 
more.    The  church  literally  outgrew  the  chapel. 

The  present  lot  was  secured  on  the  corner  of  High  and  South 


High  Street,  Binghamton 


453 


Water  Streets.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  September  9,  1890. 
Speeches  were  made  by  Drs.  McLean  and  Hard  and  Rev.  Thomas 
Harroun,  and  the  corner  stone  was  laid  by  Mrs.  Bradshaw.  The 
building  is  of  brick,  55x83  feet.  The  auditorium  is  473/2x77, 
and  will  seat  about  six  hundred  people.  The  basement  has  class 
rooms,  ladies'  parlors,  and  a  prayer  room.  The  building  was 
dedicated  on  February  26,  1891,  at  2  p.  m..  Bishop  Andrews 
preaching  the  sermon  and  dedicating  the  church.  Dr.  R.  W.  Van 
Schoick  preached  in  the  evening.  Dr.  M.  S.  Hard  managed  the 
finances  during  the  day  and  secured  about  $5,000  in  subscriptions, 
leaving  $1,000  unprovided  for.  The  Church  Extension  Society 
aided  the  church  in  this  enterprise  to  $500. 

A  debt-paying  day  was  held  on  Sunday,  October  14,  1894.  Dr. 
S.  F.  Upham  preached  in  the  morning  and  afternoon,  in  the  even- 
ing an  Epworth  League  rally  was  held.  Many  of  the  Binghamton 
pastors  were  present  during  the  day.  The  sum  of  $8,050  was 
wanted,  and  $5,248.50  subscribed. 

The  parsonage  is  on  High  Street,  just  above  the  church.  The 
church  and  parsonage  property  is  valued  at  $15,000,  upon  which 
there  is  an  indebtedness  at  this  writing  of  $3,300. 

Pastorates 

1874-75,  Joseph  Hartwell;  1876-78,  J.  B.  Sumner;  1879-81, 
A.  D.  Alexander;  1882-84,  W.  J.  Judd;  1885-87,  O.  L.  Severson; 
1888,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1889-93,  John  Bradshaw;  1894,  W.  G.  Simp- 
son; 1895-97,  T.  F.  Hall;  1898-99,  H.  H.  Dresser;  1900-03,  J.  B. 
Cook. 

Binghamton,  N.  Y. — Chenango  Street 

Chenango  Street  Church  was  organized  in  1880.  However,  a 
few  years  previous  to  this  the  Centenary  Church  had  established 
a  Sunday  school,  prayer  and  preaching  service,  for  the  benefit  of 
those  living  in  this  part  of  the  city.  In  1876  a  number  of  conver- 
sions here  added  strength  to  the  work,  which  was  a  success  from 
the  beginning.  Growth  rendered  imperative  larger  rooms.  A 
new  location  was  found  and  rooms  fitted  up  for  church  work. 
This  location  was  unfortunate  and  unpleasant,  and  was  a  matter 
of  regret  for  some  time.  It  required  all  the  vigor  of  the  young 
society  to  maintain  its  existence. 

The  society  was  incorporated  on  September  10,  1878,  under  the 
corporate  name  of  "The  Chenango  vStreet  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,"  and  Marvin  Caniflf,  Horace  D.  Root,  Seneca  Duell, 
Alonzo  Roberson,  and  Nicholas  M.  Martin  were  elected  trustees. 


454 


Wyoming  Conference 


Seventy  members  and  one  hundred  and  forty  Sunday  school 
scholars  were  taken  from  the  Centenary  Church  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  society.  Rev.  Asa  Brooks  supplied  this  society  dur- 
ing 1880. 

The  northward  growth  of  the  city  prompted  the  church  in  1886 
to  think  of  following  the  population.  Accordingly,  a  lot  on  the 
corner  of  Chenango  and  Allen  Streets  was  secured  and  the  present 
church  erected.    The  building  is  brick  with  stone  trimmings,  with 


CHENANGO  STREET,  BINGHAMTON 


an  auditorium  which  will  seat  five  hundred  people.  The  basement 
is  commodious,  almost  wholly  above  ground,  and  well  provides 
for  the  Sunday  school  and  social  work  of  the  church.  The  church 
was  dedicated  on  Tuesday,  April  3,  1888.  Dr.  M.  S.  Hard 
preached  in  the  morning,  and  Dr.  G.  M.  Colville  in  the  evening. 
Dr.  Olin,  the  presiding  elder,  dedicated  the  church  at  the  close  of 
the  evening  service.  The  cost  of  lot,  church,  and  expenditure  on 
the  parsonage  was  $15,181.74.  Bonds  had  been  issued  to  the 
amount  of  $6,500.  Several  thousand  had  been  raised  by  subscrip- 
tion, leaving  $2,300  to  be  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication,  which 
was  readily  secured. 


Fairview,  Binghamton 


455 


In  1898  a  new  pipe  organ  was  put  into  the  church,  and  several 
improvements  made,  costing  about  $700. 

The  parsonage  is  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  on  Allen  Street. 

The  house  and  lot  adjoining  the  church  on  Chenango  Street 
were  purchased  in  1901  at  a  cost  of  $2,500. 

Pastorates 

1881,  M.  E.  Bramhall;  1882-84,  A.  D.  Alexander;  1885,  W.  B. 
Kinney;  1886-90,  E.  L.  Bennett;  1891-93,  W.  J.  Hill;  1894-97, 
J.  A.  Faulkner;  1898-1900,  I.  N.  Shipman;  1901-02,  George  For- 
syth ;  1903,  C.  M.  Olmstead. 

Binghamton,  N.  Y. — Fairview 

Fairview  Church  is  the  youngest  daughter  of  Centenary 
Church,  and  has  had  a  phenomenal  growth.  The  Centenary 
Church  conducted  a  mission  in  this  field  for  a  long  time,  in  which 
a  class  meeting  and  Sunday  school  were  maintained,  and  occa- 
sionally a  preaching  service  had  been  held.  In  1896  it  became 
evident  that  a  society  could  be  successfully  formed  here.  Acting 
in  harmony  with  the  Methodist  Union  of  the  city  and  with  the 
advice  of  the  presiding  elder.  Centenary  Church  bought  the  lot  on 
the  corner  of  Robinson  and  Bigelow  Streets,  169  feet  on  Robinson 
Street,  and  212  feet  on  Bigelow  Street.  The  Union  also  suggested 
that  a  missionary  be  employed  and  a  place  of  worship  constructed 
at  an  early  date,  and  that  the  Centenary  Church  be  permitted  to 
raise  the  funds,  construct  the  church,  and  present  the  same  to  the 
people  of  Fairview  free  from  debt.  This  suggestion  came  from 
the  Centenary  Church,  which  was  desirous  of  doing  the  work. 
The  following  committee  from  the  Centenary  Church  was  at  once 
appointed:  W.  H.  Stilwell,  J.  J.  McElroy,  and  J.  C.  Whiting; 
plans  were  secured  and  work  begun.  Ground  was  broken  for  the 
building  on  Monday,  November  16,  1896.  W.  H.  Stilwell 
measured  out  the  lot,  a  hymn  was  sung,  prayer  offered  by  Rev.  J.  L. 
Wells,  an  address  made  by  L.  C.  Floyd,  and  short  speeches  made 
by  Revs.  J.  H.  Race,  A.  D.  Alexander,  M.  V.  Williams,  and  several 
laymen.  Work  on  the  building  was  pushed  vigorously,  so  that  it 
was  dedicated  on  March  29,  1897.  The  building  is  of  wood,  32x50, 
capable  of  seating  three  hundred  persons.  Total  cost  of  the  build- 
ing, $3,200.  Centenary  Church  gave  $1,200  to  this  enterprise  in 
December,  1896.  On  the  day  of  dedication  a  little  over  $2,000  was 
raised,  which  provided  for  all  indebtedness.  Services  of  the  day 
began  with  a  love  feast  at  9 130  a.  m.,  followed  by  a  sermon  by  Dr. 


456 


Wyoming  Conference 


M.  S.  Hard  from  Isa.  xxxv,  8.  In  the  afternoon  Rev.  E.  B.  Olm- 
stead  preached  from  Psa.  cxv,  14,  and  in  the  evening  Rev.  J.  H. 
Race  preached  from  Matt,  viii,  2.  M.  S.  Hard  and  J.  H  Race  con- 
ducted the  finances  of  the  day.  At  the  close  of  the  evening's 
service  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd  dedicated  the  church.  M.  V.  Williams 
began  work  here  in  1896,  acting  as  assistant  pastor  of  Centenary 
Church.  The  society  held  their  relation  to  Centenary  Church  until 
the  church  property  was  paid  for,  when  one  hundred  and  thirty 
members  were  transferred  to  form  the  new  society,  and  eighty 
Sunday  school  scholars.    As  soon  as  incorporation  took  place. 


FAIRVIEW,  BINGHAMTON 

Centenary  Church  gave  the  trustees  of  Fairview  Church  a  deed 
of  the  property. 

In  1898  a  parsonage  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $2,450,  with  its 
furnishings,  and  on  Sunday,  December  31,  1899,  $1,850  was  raised 
to  cancel  all  the  indebtedness  of  the  society. 

In  the  winter  of  1902-03  $3,000  was  expended,  increasing  the 
size  of  the  auditorium  so  as  to  seat  five  to  six  hundred  people, 
putting  into  the  basement  a  League  and  prayer  room,  buying 
carpets,  chairs,  etc.,  and  putting  a  granolithic  walk  around  the 
entire  property.  At  this  writing  the  church  has  257  members,  29 
probationers,  and  Rev.  M.  V.  Williams  has  been  its  only  pastor. 

BiNGHAMTON,  N.  Y.  ClINTON  StREET 

This  church  was  built  under  the  direction  of  the  Tabernacle 
Church.  The  lot  cost  $1,000,  and  the  building  with  its  furnish- 
ings a  little  over  $3,500.   The  Tabernacle  Church  gave  $600,  and 


Clinton  Street^  Binghamton 


457 


Centenary  Church  $200.  The  Tabernacle  Sunday  school  gave  the 
furnishings.  A  Presbyterian  lady  gave  the  stained-glass  window 
which  ornaments  the  front  of  the  building.  Lieutenant  Governor 
E.  F.  Jones  presented  the  Bible  and  Hymnal  for  the  pulpit.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  February  23,  1890,  at  2  p.  m.  Dr.  M.  S. 
Hard  preached  and  managed  the  finances,  and  Rev.  T.  Harroun 
dedicated  the  building.  A  debt  of  $1,000  was  to  be  carried  by 
mortgage  on  the  property.  On  the  day  of  dedication  $1,400  was 
raised,  which  with  what  was  raised  before  covered  all  demands. 
The  Conference  of  1890  made  Clinton  Street  an  appointment, 


CLINTON  STREET,  BINGHAMTON 


with  Lestershire,  a  growing  suburb  of  the  city,  included,  and  Rev. 
L.  B.  Weeks  appointed  pastor.  He  arranged  his  work  so  as  to 
preach  at  Clinton  Street  in  the  morning  and  evening  and  at 
Lestershire  in  the  afternoon.  The  society  began  with  thirty  mem- 
bers, most  of  whom  were  from  the  Tabernacle  Church.  On  April 
21,  1890,  the  society  became  incorporated  as  "The  Clinton  Street 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,''  and  elected  E.  T.  Depuy,  C.  E. 
Bronson,  E.  Andrews,  T.  F.  Elliott,  R.  B.  Holmes,  John  E.  De- 
drick,  and  Clarence  L.  Van  Valkenburg  trustees.  A.  P.  Lundy 
was  the  first  class  leader,  and  William  M.  Fletcher  the  first  super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday  school. 

In  1891  Lestershire  was  made  an  appointment,  with  H.  H. 
Wilbur  its  pastor. 


458 


Wyoming  Conference 


Shortly  after  incorporation  the  property  was  transferred  to  the 
trustees  of  CHnton  Street  Church  by  the  Tabernacle. 

The  church  struggled  with  patience  and  determination,  caring 
for  its  pastor,  making  some  improvements,  furnishing  the  parson- 
age, and  paying  on  its  mortgage  indebtedness  until  on  October  29, 
1894,  it  was  free  from  debt,  which  event  the  congregation  duly 
celebrated. 

The  society  rented  a  home  for  its  pastor  at  211  Clinton  Street 
until  it  purchased  the  house  and  lot  at  6  Holland  Street,  which 
was  on  December  10,  1895.  This  property  was  purchased  for 
$2,500,  Mr.  Whitney,  from  whom  it  was  purchased,  donating 
$300,  and  the  trustees  gave  their  note  for  $200  and  a  mortgage  on 
the  property  for  $2,000.  This  indebtedness  has  been  reduced  so 
that  now  it  is  only  $1,200. 

This  society  has  had  a  steady  and  vigorous  growth. 

Pastorates 

1890-91,  L.  B.  Weeks;  1892,  J.  W.  Mevis;  1893-96,  J.  W. 
Nicholson;  1897-1900,  A.  D.  Decker;  1901-02,  S.  Moore;  1903, 
W.  Frisby. 

BiNGHAMTON,  N.  Y.  OaK  StREET 

Oak  Street  is  the  second  child  of  Tabernacle  Church,  and  was 
organized  with  ten  members.  It  separated  from  the  mother 
church  too  soon,  and  has  had  to  struggle  for  an  existence. 

It  began  in  a  Sunday  school  work.  A  devoted  Christian,  living 
in  this  part  of  the  city,  noticed  a  number  of  children  running  loose 
on  Sundays,  and  felt  led  of  God  to  organize  a  Sunday  school 
work  here.  Accordingly,  a  school  was  gathered  and  met  upstairs 
in  a  private  house  on  Franklin  Street  during  the  summer  of  1891. 
No  school  was  held  during  the  following  winter.  It  was  started 
again  in  1892  in  the  Sexennial  Hall,  on  Dickinson  Street.  Here 
the  pastor  of  the  Tabernacle  Church  preached  on  Sunday  after- 
noons. Subsequently  meetings  were  held  in  vacant  stores,  halls, 
lodge  rooms — in  fact,  anywhere  where  there  was  an  open  door. 
The  work  was  sustained  by  a  faithful,  heroic  band  who  were 
determined  to  win. 

On  August  23,  1893,  the  society  was  incorporated  as  *'Oak 
Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  with  James  Hazley,  John 
Newing,  George  Winans,  John  Worden,  and  T.  B.  Jacobs  as 
trustees. 

In  1894  a  lot  was  bought  and  a  church  built,  which  was  dedi- 
cated on  December  20  of  the  same  year.    In  1897  the  parsonage 


Oak  Street,  Binghamton 


459 


with  the  corner  lot  adjoining  the  church  and  parsonage  was  pur- 
chased, and  in  1898  and  1899  the  church  was  enlarged,  giving  it 
a  seating  capacity  of  about  three  hundred. 

The  church  now  has  one  hundred  and  forty-six  members,  and 
church  property  valued  at  $5,400,  with  an  indebtedness  of  $3,150. 


OAK  street,  binghamton 

The  society  has  been  courageous,  meeting  fierce  opposition  from 
other  churches  in  that  locality. 

Pastorates 

1894-95,  W.  R.  Turner;  1896-98,  Charles  Smith;  1899-1902, 
J.  B.  Sumner;  1903,  C.  H.  Reynolds. 

Brooklyn,  Pa. 

In  1801  Ephraim  Chambers  and  Anning  Owen  were  on  Wy- 
oming Circuit.  A  class  was  formed  at  Hopbottom  consisting  of 
four  members — ^Jacob  Tewksbury  and  wife,  Silas  Lewis,  and 
Mrs.  Joshua  Saunders.  (It  is  claimed  that  there  is  a  mistake  here, 
that  Mrs.  Saunders  did  not  join  until  some  years  later.) 

In  1804  Morris  Howe  and  Robert  Burch  were  on  the  circuit, 
and  the  class  was  reported  as  above  with  a  Miss  or  Mrs.  Tracy, 
afterward  Mrs.  Niles. 


460 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1806  Christopher  Frye  and  Alfred  Griffith  were  on  the  cir- 
cuit. Mrs.  Garland,  daughter  of  Jacob  Tewksbury,  who  joined 
the  church  about  1808  and  remained  a  member  until  her  death  in 
1868,  gives  the  following  account  of  Mr.  Frye's  labors  in  Hopbot- 
tom:  "There  was  quite  an  accession  to  the  church  this  year. 
Frye  was  as  rough  as  a  meat-ax.  From  the  commencement  the 
meetings  had  been  held  in  my  father's  kitchen.  My  grandfather 
at  first  was  a  persecutor.  My  mother  had  been  a  Presbyterian, 
and  when  she  prayed  it  was  in  a  low  tone  of  voice.  My  grand- 
father would  often  say  to  her,  when  in  prayer.  Tray  louder,  I 
want  to  hear  you.'  On  one  occasion,  when  Frye  was  preaching, 
grandfather  began  to  weep.   Mother  asked  Frye,  after  preaching, 


BROOKLYN  CHURCH 


to  let  him  come  into  class  meeting.  Frye  had  not  noticed  the 
evidence  of  deep  emotion  in  grandfather,  and  he  answered  her 
very  roughly,  'You  know  he  is  an  old  persecutor,  and  what  do  you 
want  him  in  class  meeting  for?'  'I  believe,'  said  my  mother,  'he 
is  under  conviction,  for  I  saw  him  weep.'  'O,'  replied  Fryt,  '1 
wish  your  charity  bag  was  not  quite  so  large.'  My  mother,  noth- 
ing daunted,  brought  the  old  gentleman  in,  broken-hearted,  and 
weeping  like  a  child.  Mrs.  Saunders  had  never  before  professed 
religion.  But  when  she  saw  mother  leading  grandfather  into 
class  meeting  she  started  on  herself,  and  as  she  entered  the  door 
she  began  to  shout.  All  seemed  to  catch  the  spirit,  and  such  a 
shout  I  never  heard  from  so  small  a  company." 

The  first  class  leader  was  Nicholas  Horton,  who  lived  ten  miles 
below  Brooklyn  Center.  He  was  followed  by  Frazier  Eaton,  who 
lived  about  six  miles  away,  in  Springville  Hollow,  and  who  filled 


Brooklyn,  Pa. 


461 


his  appointment  barefooted,  when  weather  permitted.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Jacob  Tewksbury,  who  served  the  society  until 
about  1809,  when  Edward  Paine,  who  had  just  moved  into  the 
community,  was  appointed  leader.  He  served  in  this  position 
many  years — in  fact,  was  the  life  of  the  society — until  he  began 
to  preach. 

The  class  at  Hopbottom  in  181 1  was  composed  of  the  following 
persons:  Edward  Paine  (leader),  Charlotte  Paine,  Hannah  Mil- 
bourn,  Silas  Lewis,  Orlando  Bagley,  Dorcas  Bagley,  Betsy 
Saunders,  Jacob,  Mary,  Isaac,  and  Judith  Tewksbury,  Abigail 
and  Mary  Saunders,  Isaac  and  Milicent  Sterling,  Nancy  Seeley, 
Dorcas  Bagley,  Jr.,  Jacob  Worthing,  Sally  Fuller,  John  and  Alden 
Seeley,  Polly  Catlin,  Jesse  and  Polly  Bagley,  Jonathan  Tewks- 
bury, Josiah  and  Eliza  Crofoot,  Alice  Lathrop,  Varnum  Saunders, 
Dolly  Bagley,  Betsy  Tewksbury,  Polly  Seeley,  Sabra  Tingley, 
Stephen  and  Mary  Bagley,  Samuel  and  Huldah  Yeomans,  Shef- 
field Saunders,  Thomas  Bagley,  William  Sterling,  Lucinda  Fuller, 
Jonathan  Worthing. 

Meetings  were  held  in  Jacob  Tewksbury's  house  until  1809, 
and  from  that  time  until  the  church  was  ready  for  occupancy  in 
the  house  of  Edward  Paine. 

The  following  minutes  have  been  preserved,  and  are  of  great 
historic  interest : 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Jesse  Bag- 
ley's,  in  Hopbottom,  Bridgewater,  on  Thursday,  the  9th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1812,  Zoar  Tewksbury  appointed  moderator  of  said  meeting, 
Edward  Paine  appointed  clerk  and  treasurer  on  the  subject  of 
building  a  meetinghouse  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  this  place.  The  following  persons  were 
unanimously  chosen  as  a  committee  to  superintend  the  building  of 
said  house:  Edward  Paine,  ist  committeeman;  Joshua  Miles,  Jr., 
2d  committeeman ;  Thomas  Sterling,  3d  committeeman." 

''At  a  meeting  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Hopbot- 
tom, Bridgewater,  held  at  Edward  Paine's  on  the  8th  day  of  June, 
1812,  on  the  subject  of  building  a  Methodist  meetinghouse  for  the 
use  of  said  church  and  organization,  voted  to  appoint  Zoar  Tewks- 
bury and  Jesse  Bagley  as  an  additional  committee  to  act  with  the 
committee  appointed  in  January  last — to  superintend  the  building 
of  said  house — also  to  find  a  proper  place  for  said  building,  also 
to  make  sale  of  about  33  acres  of  land  given  toward  the  building 
of  said  house  by  Mr.  John  B.  Wallon,  landholder  at  Philadelphia, 
as  also  all  other  business  proper  to  be  transacted  by  said  commit- 
tee relative  to  the  erection  of  said  church." 


462 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  church  was  probably  put  up  in  181 3.  ''As  soon  as  it  was 
inclosed,  they  put  in  a  temporary  pulpit,  placed  boards  across  the 
joists  for  seats,  in  comfortable  weather,  and  here  many  delightful 
seasons  were  enjoyed."  This  evinces  the  anxiety  of  the  people  to 
get  into  the  new  church.  This  building  was  torn  down  in  1830, 
and  a  new  one  built  in  1831  by  Joshua  Miles,  Jr.  In  1867  the 
church  was  enlarged  and  modernized  at  an  expense  of  $3,700. 
The  building  is  40x60  feet.  The  bell  was  put  in  the  tower  at  this 
time.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  January  30,  1868,  by  Rev. 
B.  I.  Ives. 

Hopbottom  was  a  name  given  by  outsiders  to  the  settlement, 
intending  to  deride  the  leaping  and  shouting  by  which  the  Meth- 


BARN  IN   WHICH  ASBURY  PREACHED  ABOUT  THE  YEAR  1814 


odists  manifested  their  joy.  It  is  claimed  that  a  revival  continued 
here  throughout  the  year.  Another  claim  for  the  origin  of  the 
name  is  that  large  quantities  of  hops  grew  here.  Hopbottom  was 
the  name  of  the  post  office  until  changed  to  Brooklyn  in  1825. 

This  territory  was  on  the  Wyoming  Circuit  until  the  formation 
of  Bridgewater  Circuit  in  1813.  Hopbottom  was  the  center  of  the 
latter  circuit,  and  gave  tone  to  the  whole.  In  1831  Brooklyn  be- 
came the  name  of  a  circuit,  of  which  it  was  the  head.  In  1845 
the  circuit  gave  work  to  three  preachers  and  had  twenty  ap- 
pointments, the  principal  of  which  were  Brooklyn,  Bridgewater, 
Harford,  Gibson,  South  Gibson,  and  Jackson.  In  185 1  the  circuit 
included  Brooklyn,  Harford,  Gibson,  Jackson,  Bridgewater,  and 
part  of  Springville.  Foster  and  Lakeside  were  formerly  with 
Brooklyn. 


Brooklyn,  Pa. 


463 


Brooklyn  entertained  Wyoming  Conference  in  July,  1853.  A 
large  class  of  probationers  was  received  as  a  result  of  the  revival 
work  of  the  Conference. 

About  1814  Bishops  Asbury  and  McKendree  passed  through 
Brooklyn  on  their  way  from  a  Northern  Conference  to  the  Bal- 
timore Conference.  They  held  a  service  in  the  barn,  of  which  we 
give  a  picture,  at  which  Bishop  Asbury  preached  from  i  Sam. 
XV,  14:  "And  Samuel  said,  What  meaneth  then  this  bleating  of 
the  sheep  in  mine  ears,  and  the  lowing  of  the  oxen  which  I  hear  ?" 

That  the  cut  represents  the  identical  barn  in  which  the  sermon 
was  preached  is  fully  authenticated,  though  it  does  not  now 
occupy  the  same  site  that  it  did  at  that  time.  Many  years  ago  it 
was  moved  to  the  place  it  now  occupies,  and  the  addition  on  the 
right  was  constructed.  The  large  open  doors  show  the  audience 
room  in  which  the  service  was  held. 

In  1888  Mr.  Edward  L.  Paine,  son  of  Rev.  Edward  Paine,  who 
owned  the  barn  at  the  time  Bishop  Asbury  preached  in  it,  was  a 
delegate  to  the  General  Conference  from  the  Wisconsin  Confer- 
ence, and  the  oldest  layman  in  the  body,  being  eighty-seven  years 
old.  He  stated  on  the  Conference  floor  that  he  heard  Bishop 
Asbury  preach  this  sermon,  and  was  greatly  moved  by  it. 
Though  a  lad  of  only  thirteen  years  of  age,  he  at  that  time  gave 
his  heart  to  God,  and  his  hand  to  the  Church. 

In  one  of  the  strongholds  of  Universalism  Methodism  has  held 
her  own  and  grown,  and  is  now  the  leading  Church  of  the  town. 

Pastorates 

1804-12,  with  Wyoming  Circuit;  1813-30,  with  Bridgewater 
Circuit;  1831-32,  Benjamin  ElHs;  1833,  G.  Evans,  L.  Mumford; 
1834,  G.  Evans;  1835,  D.  Torry,  L.  B.  Bennett;  1836,  I.  Parks, 
A.  Benjamin;  1837,  C.  T.  Stanley,  B.  Marshall;  1838,  E.  B. 
Tenny,  William  Reddy;  1839,  P.  G.  White,  W.  Reddy,  Thomas 
Wilcox;  1840,  P.  G.  White,  Thomas  Wilcox;  1841,  E.  Smith, 
John  Davison;  1842,  E.  Smith,  G.  H.  Blakeslee ;  1843,  William 
Round,  H.  Brownscombe;  1844,  William  Round,  G.  H.  Blakeslee; 
1845,  Thomas  Wilcox,  A.  Brooks,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1846,  J.  W. 
Davison,  A.  Brooks;  1847,  M.  Ruger,  J.  W.  Davison;  1848,  M. 
Ruger,  L.  D.  Tryon;  1849,  E.  P.  Williams;  1850,  E.  P.  Williams, 
D.  C.  Olmstead;  1851,  E.  W.  Breckinridge,  S.  S.  Barter,  William 
Shelp;  1852,  E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1853-54,  Thomas  Wilcox; 
1855,  J-  L.  Staples;  1856,  R.  Ingalls ;  1857,  A.  H.  Schoonmaker; 
1858-59,  J.  F.  Wilbur;  i860,  J.  A.  Wood;  1861-62,  J.  K.  Peck; 
1863-65,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1866-67,  S.  F.  Brown;  1868,  King  Elwell; 


464 


Wyoming  Conference 


1869,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1870-71,  P.  Holbrook;  1872-73,  Jonas  Under- 
wood; 1874-76,  J.  H.  Weston;  1877,  George  Comfort;  1878-80, 
G.  T.  Price;  1881-83,  C  M.  Surdam;  1884-86,  F.  A.  King;  1887- 
90,  J.  F.  Jones;  1891-92,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1893-94,  P.  G.  Ruckman ; 
1895-96,  G.  F.  Ace;  1897-1900,  G.  E.  Van  Woert;  1901-02,  H.  D. 
Smith ;  1903,  J.  B.  Sumner. 

Campville,  N.  Y. 

According  to  Rev.  J.  M.  Grimes  a  class  was  formed  here  about 
1820.  No  definite  records  exist  of  those  times.  The  village 
schoolhouse  was  used  for  church  purposes  many  years.  Between 
1835  and  1840  the  place  was  visited  with  a  sweeping  revival. 
Not  only  the  schoolhouse,  but  the  hotel  and  several  private  houses 
were  used,  two  and  three  services  being  held  daily.  People  came 
from  Union,  Owego,  and  the  surrounding  country  in  large  num- 
bers to  attend  the  meetings. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  bought  of  Roswell  Camp  for  $100, 
and  the  deed  executed  on  May  28,  1856.  The  trustees  at  the  time 
were  Isaac  Van  Tuyle,  B.  D.  Montanye,  H.  W.  Billings,  Zenas 
Case,  Thomas  Cafferty,  John  Carey,  and  Ira  W.  Dickinson.  The 
society  became  incorporated  as  *'The  Trustees  of  the  First  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  of  Campville,"  on  October  5,  1857,  '^vith 
the  above-named  trustees  named  as  having  been  elected  on  this 
date.  Rev.  Ira  W.  Dickinson  and  James  Tilbury  circulated  a 
subscription  and  secured  the  necessary  funds  to  erect  the  church. 
John  E.  Brown  and  his  son  Jeremiah  did  the  carpenter  work.  The 
building  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  1855.  In  1897  the 
church  was  extensively  repaired,  the  inside  being  repapered, 
painted,  pulpit  moved  to  the  opposite  end  of  the  room,  floor  raised, 
and  several  minor  improvements  made. 

We  are  unable  to  state  the  source  of  its  pulpit  supply  prior  to 
1853.  In  this  year  Campville  appears  among  the  list  of  appoint- 
ments on  Binghamton  District.  Note  the  following:  1853,  sup- 
ply; 1854,  Alfred  Brigham ;  1855-56,  S.  E.  Walworth.  No  fur- 
ther mention  is  made  of  the  place  again  in  the  list  of  appointments 
until  1869,  when  E.  Puffer  is  appointed  to  Campville.  It  con- 
tinues among  the  appointments  until  1883,  when  it  is  put  with 
Apalachin.  It  was  served  from  Apalachin  until  1899,  when  it 
appears  again  among  the  appointments,  with  Whittemore  Hill  as 
its  out-appointment. 

From  1853  to  1856  and  in  1869  it  is  on  the  Binghamton  Dis- 
trict, 1870-77  on  the  Owego  District,  1878-83  Binghamton  Dis- 
trict, 1884-98  Owego  District,  1899  to  date  Binghamton  District. 


Campville,  N.  Y. 


Pastorates 

1853,  supply;  1854,  Alfred  Brigham;  1855-56,  S.  E.  Walworth; 

1857-68,  ;  1869,  E.  Puffer;  1870,  J.  M.  Grimes;  1871,  J.  H. 

Taylor;  1872,  G.  C.  Andrews;  1873-74,  John  Allen;  1875-76, 
S.  E.  Walworth  (in  1876  Apalachin  becomes  a  part  of  the 
charge)  ;  1877-78,  H.  C.  McDermott;  1879-80,  J.  B.  Chynoweth ; 
1881-82,  D.  W.  Swetland;  1883-98,  with  Apalachin.  We  give 
the  Apalachin  appointments:  1883-84,  C.  H.  Basford;  1885-86, 
L.  W.  Peck;  1887-89,  N.  W.  Barnes;  1890-91,  M.  R.  Kerr;  1892- 
93,  R.  W.  Lowry;  1894,  S.  E.  Hunt;  1895,  J.  R.  Allen;  1896-97, 
S.  H.  Flory;  1898,  A.  C.  Brackenbury.  Campville  and  Whitte- 
more  Hill,  1899,  O.  H.  P.  Armstrong;  1900,  E.  McMillen;  1901, 
W.  D.  Lathrop ;  1902-03,  O.  H.  P.  Armstrong. 

Whittemore  Hill.  Work  began  here  at  a  very  early  day,  so  far 
back  that  the  oldest  inhabitants  cannot  recall  it.  Meetings  were 
held  in  the  schoolhouse  prior  to  the  building  of  the  church,  and 
some  quarterly  meetings  were  held  in  Isaac  Whittemore's  barn. 
A  meeting  for  incorporating  the  society  was  held  at  the  house  of 
Isaac  Whittemore  on  the  24th  of  November,  1851,  and  John  E. 
Brown,  Isaac  Whittemore,  David  Cornell,  Willard  Bowker,  and 
Levi  S.  Wales  were  elected  trustees. 

The  lot  was  given  the  church — that  is,  the  church  may  have  it 
so  long  as  it  is  used  for  church  purposes.  The  church  cost  about 
$500  when  built,  and  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  August  19, 
1852.  The  dedicatory  sermon  was  by  Dr.  Paddock,  the  presiding 
elder,  from  Exod.  xx,  24.  During  the  winter  of  1883-84  the 
church  was  thoroughly  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $635.  It  was  re- 
opened on  February  20,  1884,  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  preaching  the 
sermon  from  i  John  iii,  2.  The  sum  of  $135  was  asked,  and  $151 
received.  The  ladies  did  the  furnishing  at  a  cost  of  $75.  In  1887 
one  fourth  of  an  acre  of  land  was  bought  of  Alvin  Whittemore 
for  additional  shed  room  for  $20.  The  organ  was  purchased  in 
1889,  costing  $65. 

This  society  has  been  connected  with  Union,  Campville,  Union, 
and  again  with  Campville,  where  it  has  been  since  1899. 

Dalton,  Pa. 

Dalton  in  early  times  was  called  Bailey  Hollow.  A  class  was 
organized  here  in  1865  by.  Rev.  C.  E.  Taylor,  who  was  pastor  of 
Abington  Circuit  (Waverly,  Pa.).  During  1866  and  1867  it 
formed  a  part  of  Newton  Circuit.  In  1868  it  was  put  back  into 
Abington  Circuit,  and  remained  there  until  1883,  when  it  became 
30 


466 


Wyoming  Conference 


a  part  of  the  Factory ville  charge.  Here  it  remained  until  1893, 
when  it  was  made  a  separate  charge. 

From  1865  until  1875  the  society  worshiped  in  the  Six  Prin- 
ciple Baptist  Church,  holding  prayer  meetings  at  the  houses  of 
the  members.  In  1874  the  lot  for  a  church  was  bought  for  $600. 
The  following  year  a  modest  chapel,  costing  about  the  same 
amount,  was  built  and  dedicated.  In  1887  and  1888  this  was  re- 
placed by  the  present  structure,  which  cost  about  $3,500.  It  was 
dedicated  on  July  29,  1888,  Dr.  M.  S.  Hard  preaching  at  10:30 
A.  M.,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Harroun  at  2:30  p.  ai.    Several  hundred 


DALTON  CHURCH 


dollars  have  been  expended  in  repairs  from  time  to  time,  so  that 
the  building  is  in  good  repair. 

The  parsonage  was  commenced  in  November,  1895,  and  finished 
in  April,  1896,  and  is  one  of  the  best  parsonages  on  the  district, 
costing  about  $4,000.  A  formal  opening  occurred  on  May  14, 
1896.  Exercises  were  held  in  the  afternoon  and  evening. 
Revs.  W.  H.  Pearce,  L.  C.  Floyd,  S.  Jay,  H.  H.  Wilbur,  J.  L. 
Thomas,  F.  H.  Parsons,  F.  W.  Young,  and  J.  H.  Race  were  pres- 
ent and  participated  in  the  services.  At  the  evening  service  con- 
tributions were  received  which  reduced  the  indebtedness  to 
$1,500,  which  is  in  the  form  of  a  mortgage. 

Fleetville.  Early  in  the  summer  of  1893,  at  the  invitation  of 
John  S.  Clarkson,  the  Rev.  Burton  N.  Butts,  pastor  of  the  North 


Dalton,  Pa. 


467 


Abington  Circuit,  began  holding  meetings  on  alternate  Wednes- 
day evenings  in  the  village  of  Fleetville.  These  services  were 
held  in  the  Universalist  church,  which  was  rented  for  this  pur- 
pose. Later  in  the  same  year  the  Rev.  S.  J.  Austin,  pastor  at 
Glenwood,  was  invited  to  serve  the  people,  as  he  could  preach  on 
alternate  Sunday  mornings.  A  class  was  organized  in  1895,  with 
Thomas  Carpenter  as  leader,  consisting  of  about  twenty-five  mem- 
bers. Rev.  S.  J.  Austin  was  appointed  pastor,  and  steps  were 
taken  toward  the  erection  of  a  church  building.  John  S.  Clarkson, 
Thomas  Carpenter,  and  Judson  S.  Mullinex  were  elected  trustees. 


Within  a  short  time  several  changes  were  made  in  the  board  of 
trustees,  but  on  the  23d  of  August,  1895,  for  the  consideration  of 
$50,  a  lot  was  deeded  to  Thomas  Carpenter,  Ansel  Carpenter,  and 
C.  W.  Green,  then  trustees  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Fleetville.  Ground  was  broken  and  work  begun  for 
the  erection  of  the  church  edifice  some  time  in  November,  1895. 
The  work  was  carried  forward  by  a  building  committee  consist- 
ing of  J.  S.  Clarkson,  F.  B.  Davidson,  M.D.,  and  Thomas  Car- 
penter. These  hired  George  Davis,  of  Parsons,  as  foreman,  and 
proceeded  with  the  work  without  contract.  The  cost  of  the  build- 
ing in  labor  and  materials  was  about  $2,500.    The  dedicatory 


DALTON  PARSONAGE 


468 


Wyoming  Conference 


services  were  held  on  January  28,  1897.  They  were  in  charge  of 
the  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd,  Ph.D.,  presiding  elder  of  the  Binghamton 
District,  assisted  by  the  pastor  and  the  Rev.  Austin  Griffin,  D.D., 
presiding  elder  of  the  Oneonta  District.  At  the  dedication  there 
was  left  an  indebtedness  of  $1,000,  not  covered  by  subscription. 
For  this  debt  J.  S.  Clarkson  and  Thomas  Carpenter  became  per- 
sonally responsible.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  deserves  a  word  of 
special  commendation  for  heroic  efforts  not  only  in  raising  and 
paying  a  subscription  of  $300,  but  also  for  their  continued  strug- 
gle to  reduce  the  debt  since  their  subscription  has  been  paid.  The 
debt  is  now  about  $460. 

Beginning  with  the  April  after  dedication,  Fleetville  was  served 
by  the  Factory ville  pastor  till  the  Conference  of  1898,  when  Fleet- 
ville was  put  with  Dalton,  where  it  has  since  remained.  The 
society  was  formally  chartered  on  July  29,  1901,  with  John  S. 
Clarkson,  Thomas  Carpenter,  Ansel  Carpenter,  Z.  Ferris  Wallace, 
and  F.  B.  Davison,  M.D.,  as  trustees. 

Pastorates 

1893-94,  J.  R.  Angel;  1895-97,  C.  H.  Newing;  1898-99,  J.  C. 
Leacock;  1900-01,  A.  W.  Cooper;  1902-03,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft. 

Endicott,  N.  Y. 

The  projectors  of  the  booming  town  of  Endicott,  the  Endicott- 
Johnson  Company,  gave  Methodism  four  nicely  located  lots  in 
Endicott  worth  from  $1,500  to  $2,000.  A  small  chapel  was 
erected  in  1902  which  is  now  answering  the  needs  of  the  society. 
On  December  5,  1902,  the  society  incorporated,  with  H.  F.  Wil- 
bur, Harvey  S.  Thayer,  and  Sherman  Zimmer  as  trustees.  The 
Johnson  brothers  are  to  build  a  church  here  in  memory  of  their 
mother,  who  was  a  devoted  Methodist.  This  society  has  great 
promise. 

In  1903  J.  N.  Goodrich  was  appointed  pastor.  Up  to  this  time 
the  Union  pastor  had  given  the  field  pastoral  oversight. 

Factoryville,  Pa. 

The  first  settlers  in  this  vicinity  were  Baptists,  and  Elder  John 
Miller  began  his  ministry  among  them  about  1802.  Shortly  after 
this  the  itinerant  preacher  found  his  way  thither  and  began  to 
hold  meetings.   ''Mother"  Taylor,  wife  of  Preserved  Taylor,  who 


Factoryville,  Pa. 


469 


lived  on  the  hill  above  the  village,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
Albina  Stanton,  is  claimed  to  have  been  the  first  Methodist  in 
this  vicinity.  Meetings  were  held  in  her  house  at  an  early  day, 
say  from  1820  to  1825.  Some  of  the  older  members  used  to  say 
they  had  heard  Rev.  John  Copeland  preach  here  with  great  unction 
and  power.  What  was  known  as  the  ''square-top"  schoolhouse 
was  built  in  1825,  and  stood  near  where  the  railroad  depot  stands. 
Preaching  services  were  held  in  this  schoolhouse,  and  a  class  was 


in  existence  here  as  early  as  1830.  Here,  and  about  this  time, 
''Aunt"  Eunice  Gardner  united  with  the  church. 

The  society  was  small  and  struggling  until  1848  or  1849,  when 
a  great  revival  brought  numerous  accessions. 

In  its  early  days  this  class  was  on  the  Wyoming  Circuit.  John 
Copeland  was  on  the  W^yoming  Circuit  in  1825.  It  is  evident  that 
it  held  its  relation  to  this  circuit  until  after  this  time.  It  is  con- 
jectured that  it  may  have  been  with  the  Bridgewater  Circuit  for  a 
short  time,  though  this  is  doubtful.  At  the  formation  of  the 
Abington  Circuit,  in  1841,  Factoryville  and  West  Abington 
formed  a  part  of  the  circuit.  From  1843  1845  it  formed  an 
appointment,  and  from  1846  to  1851  it  was  with  Abington  again. 
From  1852  to  1853  was  on  Newton  Circuit,  and  in  1854  it  be- 
came a  part  of  the  Nicholson  Circuit,  where  it  remained  until 
1868,  when  it  became  a  separate  charge. 

The  first  church  at  Factoryville  was  built  in  1854.  It  was 
30x42  feet,  and  cost  $850.    It  was  dedicated  on  December  29, 


470 


Wyoming  Coxferexce 


1854,  by  Dr.  George  Peck,  presiding  elder  of  the  district.  The 
charge  then  inchided  Nicholson,  West  Nicholson,  Factoryville, 
and  East  Lemon. 

In  1878  the  church  was  rebuilt,  enlarged,  refurnished,  a 
tower  and  bell  added,  at  a  total  cost  of  $1,800.  The  reopening 
services  occurred  on  October  2,  1878,  Rev.  J.  E.  Smith,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  preaching  at  11  a.  m.,  and  Rev.  WiUiam  Bixby,  presiding 
elder  of  the  district,  preaching  at  7  p.  m. 

In  1889  the  church  was  again  rebuilt.  The  old  church  was 
converted  into  a  Sunday  school  and  prayer  room,  and  an  audi- 


FACTORYVILLE  PARSONAGE 


torium  42x50  feet  built  onto  it,  with  an  opening  between  so  that 
the  Sunday  school  room  may  be  used  with  the  auditorium  on 
extra  occasions.  The  total  cost  of  these  improvements  was 
$3,195.  The  dedicatory  services  were  held  on  December  10,  1889. 
Dr.  W.  L.  Phillips,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  preached  in  the  morning, 
and  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  in  the  evening.  During  the  day  $1,000 
was  raised.  At  the  close  of  the  evening  serv-ice  the  church  was 
dedicated  by  the  presiding  elder,  Rev.  Thomas  Harroun. 

In  1899  a  pipe  organ  was  put  into  the  church,  which,  with  the 
annex  built  in  the  rear  of  the  pulpit  to  hold  it,  cost  $1,650. 

The  first  parsonage  was  built  in  1855,  standing  on  the  site  now 
occupied  by  the  residence  of  Dr.  Heller.    This  was  rebuilt  and 


Factoryville,  Pa. 


471 


enlarged  in  1872.  About  1885  this  property  was  exchanged  with 
Dr.  George  A.  Brundage  for  the  property  adjoining  the  church, 
where  the  parsonage  now  stands. 

In  1895  the  old  parsonage  was  moved  off  and  the  present 
beautiful  and  commodious  house  built.  It  has  few  superiors,  if 
any,  on  the  district,  and  cost  $3,250,  the  first  $1,000  of  which 
came  as  a  legacy  under  the  will  of  John  H.  Pelham,  for  many 
years  a  devoted  member  of  the  church.  A  house-warming  was 
held  in  the  latter  part  of  December,  1895.  Friday  afternoon  a 
service  was  held  in  the  church,  and  in  the  evening  a  platform 
meeting  was  held,  in  which  speeches  were  made  by  several  former 
pastors.  Saturday  afternoon  Rev.  H.  C.  McDermott  preached. 
Rev.  J.  O.  Woodruff  presiding.  On  Sunday  morning  Rev.  M.  S. 
Hard,  D.D.,  preached,  and  after  the  sermon  raised  $1,000,  the 
balance  needed  to  pay  for  the  parsonage,  and  $150  toward  a  new 
organ  for  the  church. 

In  1867  two  pastors  were  on  Nicholson  charge — E.  N.  Hynson 
and  T.  B.  Jayne.  Hynson  lived  at  Factoryville,  and  Jayne  at 
Nicholson.   They  exchanged  appointments  every  other  Sunday. 

In  August,  1866,  the  pastor,  D.  Worrall,  died,  and  the  balance 
of  the  year  was  filled  by  Rev.  J.  V.  Newell,  then  living  at 
Springville. 

The  charge  experienced  extensive  revivals  in  the  years  1848  or 
1849,  1872,  1886,  1893,  and  1 90 1. 

James  Hoben  came  from  England  in  1820  and  settled  here.  He 
was  a  class  leader  many  years,  and  died  about  i860,  leaving  one 
daughter,  who  survived  him  about  twenty  years.  At  her  decease 
she  left  the  balance  of  her  estate  as  a  legacy  to  the  church,  which 
was  used  in  the  exchange  of  property  with  Dr.  Brundage,  and 
enlarging  the  house.  Alanson  Ridgeway  was  a  class  leader  here 
from  1848  to  1880,  and  S.  W.  Ingham  served  in  this  relation  from 
1865  to  1872.  Amos  Caryl  has  been  a  class  leader  here  from  1878 
to  1903,  and  for  some  years  past  has  been  assistant  superintendent. 
James  Wrigley  is  now  a  class  leader,  having  served  about  eleven 
years.  Charles  Gardner  has  been  chorister  and  Sunday  school 
superintendent  almost  continuously  since  i860,  and  is  now  acting 
in  both  capacities.  A.  T.  Brundage,  M.D.,  has  held  the  relation 
of  local  preacher  here  many  years. 

West  Abington.  The  church  here  was  dedicated  on  January 
15,  1853.  R^v.  George  Peck  preached  in  the  morning,  and  Rev. 
William  Wyatt  in  the  evening.  This  society  was  taken  from  the 
Newton  Circuit  and  put  with  Factoryville  about  1872. 


472 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1843-44,  Peter  S.  Worden;  1845,  A.  G.  Burlingame ;  1846-51, 
with  Abington;  1852-53,  with  Newton;  1854-67,  with  Nicholson; 
1868,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1869-70,  E.  M.  High;  1871-73,  J.  S.  Lewis; 
1874-75,  P.  R.  Tower;  1876-78,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1879-81,  A.  J. 
Cook;  1882-84,  H.  C.  McDermott;  1885-87,  Thomas  Harroun ; 
1888-91,  O.  L.  Severson;  1892-93,  W.  R.  Turner;  1894-97,  H.  H. 
Wilbur;  1898-1900,  W.  M.  Hiller;  1901-02,  J.  N.  Lee;  1903,  L.  D. 
Palmer. 

Fairdale,  Pa. 

In  1866  Fairdale  charge  was  taken  from  Montrose  Circuit.  In 
early  days  it  was  a  part  of  Bridgewater  Circuit ;  an  appointment 
or  two,  however,  may  have  been  with  the  Vestal  Circuit.  At  the 
time  it  was  taken  from  Montrose  it  had  six  preaching  places  on 
the  charge — Fairdale,  Town's  (now  Forest  Lake),  Devine  Ridge, 
Taylor  Hollow,  Dimock,  and  Bolles.  With  the  exception  of  Fair- 
dale  and  Town's,  which  had  church  buildings,  these  were  school- 
house  appointments.  The  class  leaders  at  this  time  were :  David 
Olmstead,  Fairdale;  J.  S.  Town,  Forest  Lake  Center;  John  P. 
Devine,  Devine  Ridge;  Willard  Weston,  Taylor  Hollow;  P.  J. 
Gates,  Dimock;  Clark  Whitaker,  Bolles  schoolhouse.  The  stew- 
ards were:  Marvin  Hall  and  Elias  Jagger,  Fairdale;  F.  J.  Rey- 
nolds and  William  J.  Gorden,  Forest  Lake  Center ;  Parker  Devine, 
Devine  Ridge ;  P.  J.  Gates,  Dimock ;  S.  D.  Cornell,  Taylor  Hollow. 
There  were  two  trustees,  both  living  at  Forest  Lake  Center — Suel 
Warner  and  N.  R.  Cole. 

Fairdale.  Just  when  the  first  church  was  built  at  Fairdale  we 
are  unable  to  state,  but  a  new  one  costing  $3,500  was  built  in 
1868,  L.  H.  Lincoln  being  the  contractor.  It  was  dedicated  on 
November  25,  1868,  by  B.  1.  Ives,  the  evening  sermon  being  by 
A.  J.  Arnold.  On  December  5,  1868,  the  Quarterly  Conference 
elected  seven  trustees  to  look  after  this  property — Benjamin 
Shay,  Marvin  Hall,  David  Olmstead,  Elias  Jagger,  Zenas  Smith, 
J.  W.  Rundle,  and  Rev.  William  Shelp. 

On  November  9,  1867,  the  Quarterly  Conference  authorized 
the  pastor  to  circulate  a  subscription  to  secure  a  parsonage.  The 
scheme  proved  successful,  and  a  house  and  lot  opposite  the  church 
was  bought  of  Zenas  Smith  for  $1,000.  Deed  for  this  property 
was  given  in  1873.  In  1877  a  new  barn  was  built,  and  in  1886  a 
new  parsonage  replaced  the  old  one.  Since  the  circuit  was  or- 
ganized Fairdale  Church  has  been  served  by  the  following  stew- 


Fairdale,  Pa. 


473 


ards :  Marvin  Hall,  Elias  Jagger,  Benjamin  Shay,  Joseph  Stuger, 
Robert  Pettit,  W.  R.  Walker,  James  Robinson,  Paul  Miller, 
Thomas  Beaumont,  John  A.  Robertson,  Milton  Ray,  George  M. 
Olmstead,  Nelson  Cool,  H.  C.  Bertholf,  M.  Cronk,  Charles  Cronk, 
Dr.  H.  M.  Fry,  L.  De  Witt,  and  Oliver  Warner. 

In  1899  improvements  were  made  amounting  to  $450,  which 
included  a  stone  platform  8x24  feet  in  front  of  the  church,  stone 
walk  from  church  to  parsonage,  a  grove  of  maple  trees  set  around 
the  church,  painting,  and  some  minor  changes. 

Forest  Lake  Center.  A  class  known  as  the  Town  class  was  or- 
ganized as  early  as  1834,  with  Jonathan  West  as  leader,  and  the 
meetings  were  held  in  his  house,  near  Forest  Lake,  but  were  soon 
after  transferred  to  the  house  of  John  S.  Town,  near  the  present 
church.  Besides  the  Town  and  West  families,  Rosanna  Deuel, 
Lorain  Peat,  and  Mary  Austin  belonged  to  the  first  class.  In  1841 
the  class  had  thirty-two  members,  some  of  whom  were  Bertha 
Warner,  Francis  and  Sarah  Southwell,  and  Elmer  Cobb.  In 
1848  a  church,  which  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard,  was 
built  on  the  farm  of  John  S.  Town.  This  was  enlarged  in  1871 
by  an  addition  of  twelve  feet  to  its  length,  and  the  erection  of  a 
thirty-foot  tower,  at  a  cost  of  $800.  The  work  was  done  by 
William  J.  Gorden.  The  dedicatory  services  were  conducted  by 
Rev.  J.  K.  Peck  on  November  25,  1871. 

In  1861-62  a  revival  of  great  power  visited  this  community,  re- 
sulting in  sixty  conversions  and  an  accession  of  forty-five  mem- 
bers. Rev.  J.  F.  Warner  entered  the  ministry  from  this  church. 
His  brother,  Asa,  is  a  local  preacher  here,  receiving  his  license  in 
1877.  He  has  been  class  leader  here  since  1871,  has  served  several 
years  as  Sunday  school  superintendent,  and  has  been  recording 
steward  about  twenty-five  years. 

Until  the  formation  of  Fairdale  charge  this  class  was  a  part  of 
the  Vestal  Circuit. 

The  following  have  served  as  stewards  for  this  appointment: 
W.  J.  Gorden,  F.  J.  Reynolds,  Suel  Warner,  L.  H.  Lincoln,  Asa 
Warner,  W.  H.  Allen,  A.  F.  Otis,  J.  W.  Hoag. 

Fair  Hill.  For  some  time  this  class  held  its  services  in  Taylor 
Hollow,  and  then  at  the  schoolhouse  in  the  Chapman  district.  In 
1867  the  appointment  was  changed  to  the  house  of  Samuel  D. 
Cornell.  Mr.  Cornell  is  said  to  have  been  the  pioneer  Methodist 
of  this  section,  having  been  a  member  fifty-seven  years  when  he 
died  in  1881.  Other  early  members  were  Zephaniah,  Ella,  and 
Alice  Cornell,  the  Orlando  Green  family,  the  Jagger,  Lewis,  and 


474 


Wyoming  Conference 


Shelp  families.  After  the  formation  of  the  Fairdale  charge 
preaching  was  maintained  with  greater  regularity,  and  with  good 
results.  A  lot  was  secured  from  the  old  Cornell  farm  and  a 
church  built  costing  $1,200,  William  Darrow  being  the  builder. 
It  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  I.  T.  Walker  on  November  26,  1877. 
The  building  committee  included  G.  T.  Lewis,  H.  S.  Conklin,  and 
O.  E.  Green.  The  society  became  incorporated  on  June  26,  1879, 
with  G.  T.  Lewis,  E.  Jagger,  H.  S.  Conklin,  R.  L.  Baxter,  and 
F.  D.  Terwilliger  as  trustees. 

This  class  has  been  served  by  the  following  stewards :  S.  D. 
Cornell,  Hiram  Whitney,  G.  L.  Lewis,  O.  E.  Green,  Hiram  L. 
Ball,  R.  S.  Baxter,  H.  S.  Conklin,  E.  C.  Baldwin,  J.  R.  Fox, 
William  Darrow,  Catherine  Jagger,  M.  J.  Crisman,  and  Z.  Linsley. 

For  some  years  work  was  carried  on  at  Devine  Ridge.  A  church 
costing  about  $1,600  was  built  in  1867-68,  William  J.  Gorden  be- 
ing the  contractor.  This  was  largely  done  through  the  generosity 
of  George  Devine  and  his  five  sons,  who  lived  in  the  immediate 
vicinity.    The  building  was  30x40,  and  was  dedicated  on  July  4, 

1868,  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead  preaching  in  the  afternoon  from  Gal. 
iv,  18,  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Legg  in  the  evening  from  Phil,  iv,  13.  This 
class  was  served  by  the  following  stewards:  Joseph  P.  Devine, 
George  W.  Devine,  W.  H.  Deuel,  John  P.  Devine,  and  Lott 
Devine. 

By  action  of  the  Quarterly  Conference  on  April  29,  1889,  this 
appointment  was  discontinued,  the  title  to  the  property  reverting 
to  its  original  owners. 

The  appointments  at  Dimock  and  Bolles  had  been  dropped  in 

1869.  Thus  the  charge  was  left  with  three  appointments.  Fair- 
dale,  Forest  Lake  Center,  and  Fair  Hill. 

Pastorates 

1866,  William  Shelp;  1867,  L  P.  Towner,  W.  Shelp;  1868-69, 
L  P.  Towner;  1870-71,  S.  Elwell ;  1872-74,  E.  W.  Breckinridge; 
1875,  J.  D.  Woodruff;  1876-77,  M.  E.  Bramhall;  1878-79,  J.  F. 
Jones;  1880,  P.  Holbrook;  1881-83,  A.  F.  Harding;  1884-85, 
T.  M.  Furey;  1886-88,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1889-91,  E.  P.  Eldridge; 
1892-96,  G.  L.  Williams;  1897-99,  Thomas  Eva;  1900-03,  W.  R. 
Cochrane. 

Falls,  Pa. 

This  charge  was  formed  in  1888,  being  taken  from  Newton 
Circuit.  At  this  time  it  was  on  Wyoming  District,  but  in  1891  it 
was  put  on  Binghamton  District,  where  it  has  since  remained. 


Falls,  Pa. 


475 


Falls.  It  is  claimed  that  the  first  Methodist  preachers  in  this 
section  held  services  at  Keeler's  Ferry  as  early  as  1810.  In  1813 
a  camp  meeting  was  held  on  the  farm  of  Abraham  Holmes  (owned 
in  1880  by  A.  T.  De  Witt).  Meetings  were  held  at  the  homes  of 
John  Osterhout,  John  Weiss,  and  others,  and  at  times  in  groves 
along  the  river.  Revs.  Fhilo  Barbary,  Horace  Agard,  George 
Peck,  C.  W.  Giddings,  Silas  Comfort,  S.  Stocking,  E.  Taney, 
Benjamin  Ellis,  V.  M.  Coryell,  and  George  Lane  visited  this 
locality.  There  were  several  Methodist  families  around  the  Falls 
who  gave  these  itinerants  welcome,  but  we  have  no  record  of 
the  time,  or  by  whom,  the  first  class  was  formed  at  that  place. 

In  1866  the  society  was  visited  with  a  gracious  revival,  and  a 
large  number  were  added  to  the  Church.  On  April  8,  1867,  a 
lot  was  bought  of  Daniel  Dobra,  and  on  the  27th  of  April,  1871, 
a  charter  was  granted  for  the  "First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
of  Falls  Township,"  with  Hon.  Henry  Roberts,  Stephen  Clark, 
Samuel  G.  Miller,  William  Compton,  Heni*y  Turn,  A.  M.  De 
Witt,  and  Thomas  Brown  as  trustees.  A  church  was  soon  built, 
costing  about  $2,000,  which  was  dedicated  on  July  15,  1872,  by 
Rev.  George  P.  Porter.  It  has  since  been  repaired  at  an  expense 
of  several  hundred  dollars. 

Mill  City.  The  time  of  the  organization  of  the  class  in  Mill 
City  is  doubtful.  Preaching  services  had  been  held  here  more 
than  thirty  years  before  the  society  was  incorporated.  We  know 
a  class  existed  in  1848,  with  Michael  Walter  as  leader.  On 
November  25,  1870,  the  society  was  incorporated  with  Chauncey 
Sherwood,  Michael  Walter,  D.  C.  Post,  John  Patrick,  and  Francis 
Hough  as  trustees.  On  the  24th  of  December,  1872,  a  lot, 
100x125  feet,  was  bought  of  William  H.  Walter,  and  the  erection 
of  a  church  commenced.  The  building  cost  about  $2,500,  and  was 
dedicated  on  January  i,  1874.  Preaching  in  the  morning  by  Rev. 
D.  D.  Lindsley,  and  in  the  evening  by  Rev.  L.  Peck. 

Lake  Winola.  The  class  was  organized  at  this  place  on  April  2, 
1854,  by  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard,  Daniel  Ross  being  made  the  class 
leader,  with  David  Osterhout  his  assistant.  Meetings  were  held  in 
the  schoolhouse,  near  where  the  church  now  stands,  until  the 
church  was  erected.  This  society  was  incorporated  in  August, 
1870,  with  Samuel  Shook,  Thomas  Hough,  Charles  Frear,  James 
Stevens,  and  Lyman  Swartz  as  trustees.  A  church  was  erected, 
costing  $2,478,  which  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  R.  Nelson,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1871. 

In  1894  the  parsonage  at  Mill  City  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of 


476 


Wyoming  Conference 


$1,650,  a  small  portion  of  which  was  paid  at  the  time  of  purchase, 
and  the  balance  was  paid  in  the  succeeding  four  years.  During 
the  years  1890-92  sixty  probationers  were  received,  fifty  of  whom 
came  into  full  membership.  From  1893  to  1894  one  hundred  and 
sixteen  were  received  on  probation,  thirty-seven  of  whom  united 
with  the  church  in  full;  and  from  1895  to  1897  forty-five  joined 
the  church  on  probation,  thirty-one  of  whom  joined  in  full 
membership. 

Pastorates 

1888,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1889,  R.  P.  Christopher;  1890-92, 
G.  B.  Stone;  1893-94,  C.  H.  Newing;  1895-97,  D.  C.  Barnes; 
1898-1899,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1900,  T.  R.  Warnock;  1901,  P. 
Houck ;  1902-03,  A.  Wrigley. 

Foster,  Pa. 

Until  Hopbottom  and  Lakeside  were  made  a  charge  in  1895, 
they  were  on  the  Brooklyn  Circuit.  Foster  is  the  name  of  the 
railroad  station,  from  which  the  charge  takes  its  name,  but  the 
name  of  the  post  ofiice  is  Hopbottom. 

The  church  at  Foster,  or  Hopbottom,  is  the  outgrowth  of  an 
appointment  made  years  ago  at  Anthony  Wright's,  on  Martin 
Creek,  a  mile  above  the  village.  In  1849  ^  Sunday  school  was 
organized  in  Anthony  Wright's  kitchen,  with  Mrs.  Sarah  B. 
Wright,  wife  of  Dr.  Samuel  Wright,  as  superintendent.  The 
school  became  a  permanent  institution.  In  1850  Anthony  Wright 
set  aside  an  acre  of  ground,  to  which  a  small  frame  building  was 
moved  and  fitted  up  for  church  purposes.  The  ground  around  it 
was  used  for  burial  purposes,  and  now  forms  a  part  of  Lathrop 
Cemetery. 

The  immediate  spur  to  the  building  of  a  church  grew  out  of  a 
revival  which  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse  during  the  winter  of 
1869.  The  directors  objected  to  the  services  on  the  ground  that 
they  interfered  with  school  work.  On  the  last  night  meetings 
were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  the  pastor  arose  and  stated  the  case, 
and  asked  if  there  were  not  some  place  where  the  meetings  might 
be  continued.  Squire  Tingley  offered  his  house.  Dr.  Wright  said 
his  house  was  open  from  garret  to  cellar.  Mr.  Tingley's  house 
was  chosen,  as  it  was  more  conveniently  located.  Two  services 
were  held  here,  when  Mr.  Case  offered  a  large  room  in  his  house, 
which  was  accepted.  Elisha  Bell  owned  the  hall  used  by  the  Good 
Templars,  and  offered  it  free  of  charge. 

In  1870  a  lot  was  given  by  William  P.  Crandall,  located  on  the 


Foster,  Pa. 


477 


hill,  near  the  schoolhoiise.  A  church  35x50  feet  was  erected,  with 
tower  and  bell,  the  whole  costing  $3,200.  The  building  committee 
were  William  P.  Crandall,  Emanuel  Carpenter,  and  Dr.  Samuel 
Wright.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  December  15,  1870,  by 
Rev.  B.  I.  Ives,  and  $1,800  was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication  to 
complete  paying  for  the  church.  It  was  thought  to  be  impossible 
to  raise  this  amount;  but  Messrs.  Wright,  Crandall,  Squire,  and 
Gavitt  each  gave  $200,  which  gave  the  work  such  a  start  that  the 
full  amount  was  reached.  This  was  considered  a  remarkable  vic- 
tory. On  August  17,  1 87 1,  the  society  became  incorporated.  This 
church  was  the  first  one  to  be  erected  in  Lathrop  township. 

Time  made  it  manifest  that  it  was  desirable  to  move  into  the 


central  part  of  the  village.  Accordingly,  the  old  church  was  torn 
down  in  1889  and  a  new  one  erected  on  the  present  site,  which 
was  dedicated  on  January  26,  1890.  On  Sunday  morning,  Octo- 
ber 20,  1895,  several  buildings  in  the  village  were  burned  to  the 
ground.  The  fire  was  caused  by  the  explosion  of  a  lamp  in  a 
store.  The  church  was  burned  with  the  other  buildings.  An  in- 
surance of  $2,000  furnished  a  fund  with  which  to  start  rebuilding. 
Work  was  immediately  begun,  and  the  present  church  was  dedi- 
cated on  Tuesday,  March  3,  1896,  Rev.  J.  H.  Race  preaching  the 
sermon  and  raising  $800. 

The  parsonage  was  nearly  completed  at  the  time  the  church 
burned. 

The  revival  work  of  the  winter  of  1869-70  at  Hopbottom  and 


I 


FOSTER  CHURCH 


478 


Wyoming  Conference 


Lakeside  added  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  members  to  the 
church. 

Lakeside.  A  goodly  number  were  brought  into  the  church  as 
the  result  of  revival  work  held  in  the  schoolhouse  in  the  winter  of 
1869-70.  The  need  of  a  church  was  felt,  and  steps  at  once  taken 
to  secure  one.  It  was  begun  in  the  fall  of  1870,  and  dedicated  by 
Rev.  B.  1.  Ives  on  February  16,  187 1,  when  $1,000  was  raised  to 
hquidate  the  indebtedness.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preached  in  the  after- 
noon, and  King  Elwell  in  the  evening.  The  church  is  situated  on 
the  east  side  and  just  above  a  beautiful  lake  of  about  fifty  acres, 
between  Nicholson  and  Hopbottom.  The  church  and  site  cost 
$2,600.  The  trustees  at  the  time  of  building  the  church  were 
J.  C.  Miller,  Jesse  Silvius,  and  B.  T.  Strickland.  A  part  of  the 
families  of  Sidney  Osborn,  J.  F.  Gray,  John  Waterman,  Jesse 
Silvius,  William  Johnson,  Zophar  Mackey,  J.  C.  Miller,  B.  T. 
Strickland,  and  Mr.  Thayer  were  brought  into  the  kingdom  about 
this  time. 

Shortly  after  the  building  of  the  church  this  class  was  put  with 
the  West  Nicholson  charge,  where  it  remained  until  1895,  when  it 
was  put  with  Hopbottom. 

Pastorates 

1895-96,  C.  P.  Tiffany;  1897-98,  G.  L.  Wilhams ;  1899-1900,  S. 
Homan;  1901-02,  A.  O.  Austin;  1903,  B.  N.  Butts. 

Franklin  Forks,  Pa. 

In  1804  a  half  dozen  persons  residing  here  formed  themselves 
into  a  class,  Daniel  Blowers,  William  Burrows,  Elizabeth  Bur- 
rows, and  Isaac  Apsbey  being  among  its  members.  Meetings 
were  held  monthly,  and  usually  on  week  days.  The  growth  of 
the  class  was  not  rapid.  Its  members,  however,  were  zealous  and 
persistent.  Services  were  held  for  many  years  in  the  schoolhouse. 
The  lot  was  bought  on  November  21,  1867,  of  Margaret  S.  Stil- 
well.  A  church  32x50  feet,  and  costing  $2,000,  was  erected,  and 
dedicated  in  1871  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin,  $1,000  being  raised  on  the 
day  of  dedication.  John  Ives  and  Samuel  Truesdale  were  the 
builders.  The  building  committee  included  B.  C.  Vance,  Lewis 
Tompkins,  D.  D.  Lindsley,  William  and  A.  S.  Burrows.  A  bell 
was  put  in  the  tower  in  1898. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Franklin  Forks,  and  was  built  in 
1874.  In  1900  the  building  was  raised  and  a  cellar  built  under  it, 
at  a  cost  of  $150. 

The  appointments  of  this  charge  were  on  the  Hawleyton  Cir- 


Franklin  Forks,  Pa. 


479 


cuit  until  1873,  when  they  were  constituted  a  charge,  under  the 
name  of  Pleasant  Valley.  The  name  was  changed  to  Franklin 
Forks  in  1876. 

Brookdale.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  northern  part  of  Liberty 
township  soon  after  its  settlement,  but  no  organization  was  ef- 
fected at  that  time.  Among  the  early  members  were  Peter  Gun- 
saulus  and  family,  James  Travis  and  family,  Ruth  Stanford,  and 
a  few  others.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  Bailey  schoolhouse  (now 
removed).  In  185 1  a  revival  was  held  in  this  schoolhouse,  in 
which  a  goodly  number  were  converted.  A  class  was  formed, 
Daniel  Brown,  D.  D.  Stanford,  Charles  Stanford,  William  Stan- 
ford, Harry  Northrup,  and  their  wives,  being  among  the  number. 
During  the  year  others  joined.  In  1852  a  brick  church  36x40 
was  built  on  the  turnpike  in  the  hamlet  of  Stanfordville.  It  was 
used  regularly  until  destroyed  by  a  cyclone  on  July  2,  1883.  Sub- 
sequently meetings  were  held  in  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Laws- 
ville  Center,  one  mile  above  the  old  church. 

The  present  church  was  dedicated  on  March  29,  1898,  by  Revs. 
L.  C.  Floyd  and  H.  M.  Crydenwise.  The  building  cost  $1,400. 
During  the  erection  of  this  church  the  pastor  gave  one  half 
of  his  salary  received  from  Brookdale  appointment  toward  the 
enterprise. 

Pastorates 

1873-74,  G.  C.  Andrews;  1875,  W.  C.  Fiske;  1^76-77,  A.  W. 
Cooper;  1878-79,  W.  F.  Boyce;  1880,  J.  F.  Jones;  1881-82,  W.  C. 
Norris;  1883-85,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1886-87,  A.  G.  Bloomfield;  1888- 
89,  C.  O.  Bramhall;  1890,  Philip  Twining;  1891-92,  J.  B.  Wilson; 
1893-96,  E.  D.  Cook;  1897-98,  G.  D.  Fisher;  1899,  Ernest  Col- 
well;  1900,  J.  H.  Taylor;  1901,  E.  McMillen;  1902-03,  G.  L. 
Williams. 

Gibson,  Pa. 

It  is  believed  that  Christopher  Frye  preached  the  first  Methodist 
sermon  in  Gibson.  If  so,  it  was  in  the  year  Frye  and  Griffith 
traveled  the  Wyoming  Circuit,  1806.  Mrs.  Margaret  Bennett  and 
George  Williams  were  the  first  Methodists  in  the  place,  Mrs. 
Bennett  moving  to  the  place  in  1808,  and  Mr.  Williams  in  1809. 
Mrs.  Bennett  first  joined  the  Baptists  at  Hopbottom,  and  soon 
afterward  the  Methodists  of  that  place.  Mr.  Williams  also  joined 
the  Methodists  at  Hopbottom  (Brooklyn).  Both  had  been 
Methodists  in  the  East.  Mrs.  Bennett  lived  on  Union  Hill  and 
was  familiarly  known  as  "Aunt  Peggy."  She  used  to  ride  on 
horseback  from  her  home  to  Jacob  Tewksbury's  in  Brooklyn,  a 


480 


Wyoming  Conference 


distance  of  twelve  miles,  to  attend  prayer  meeting.  Mr.  Frye 
preached  the  sermon  referred  to  in  the  home  of  a  Mr.  Brundage, 
a  Baptist,  on  what  was  afterward  called  the  Thomas  place,  near 
where  the  church  now  stands.*  Subsequently  meetings  were  held 
in  James  Bennett's  house  and  barn,  according  to  the  season  of 
the  year. 

The  class  was  organized  in  1812  by  Rev.  Elijah  King,  who  was 
at  that  time  on  Broome  Circuit.  George  Williams,  a  bachelor, 
was  leader  for  many  years.  The  other  members  of  the  first  class 
were  Margaret  Bennett,  Sarah  Willis,  afterward  the  wife  of 


John  Belcher,  Susanna  Fuller,  Joseph  Williams,  and  Jemima 
Washburne.  Mrs.  Ingalls  with  her  two  daughters  and  four  sons 
joined  soon  after  the  class  was  organized.  Rosman,  one  of  the 
sons,  became  a  Methodist  preacher.  After  Major  Lamb  and 
family  moved  to  the  place  and  lived  in  the  Skyrin  house,  1815-18, 
meetings  w'ere  occasionally  held  in  his  house.  Sometimes  they 
were  held  in  the  house  of  David  Tarbox,  and  subsequently  in  the 
schoolhouse  at  Burrows  Hollow. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  was  evidently  part  of  the  Bridge- 
water  Circuit.  In  1819,  when  Rev.  George  Peck  was  on  the  circuit, 

*Miss  Emily  C.  Blackman,  who  has  compiled  a  history  of  Susquehanna  County, 
thinks  this  is  a  mistake;  that  it  should  be  the  Holmes  place,  near  where  the  Kennedy 
Hill  church  stood,  before  its  removal  to  South  Gibson. 


GIBSON  CHURCH 


Gibson,  Pa. 


he  found  some  of  the  above-named  ''pillars  in  the  little  church 
in  Gibson."  It  naturally  became  a  part  of  Brooklyn  Circuit 
at  its  formation,  and  remained  here  until  the  Gibson  charge  was 
formed. 

The  first  church  was  on  Kennedy  Hill.  When  the  present 
structure  was  erected  the  Kennedy  Hill  church  was  sold  tO'  the 
South  Gibson  society.  The  present  church  was  begun  in  1868 
and  finished  the  following  year.  It  was  dedicated  on  June  3,  1869, 
Rev.  R.  Nelson  preaching  in  the  afternoon  and  Rev.  Henry 
Wheeler  in  the  evening.  The  building  is  38x56,  with  a  lecture 
room  in  the  rear  27x32  feet.  The  church  and  furnishings  cost 
$11,500.  A  writer  describing  it  at  the  time  said:  ''The  taste, 
personal  supervision,  and  painstaking  liberality  of  Judge  Burrows 
have  been  strikingly  manifest  in  the  projection  and  completion  of 
the  enterprise."  Judge  Urbane  Burrows  moved  to  this  locality  in 
1819.  From  1856  to  1861  he  was  associate  judge  of  the  Susque- 
hanna County  Court.  From  him  the  place  gets  the  name  of  Bur- 
rows Hollow.  He  was  a  thrifty  merchant,  public-spirited  citizen, 
and  an  enthusiastic  Methodist.  He  had  much  to  do  with  the 
planning  of  the  building,  and  gave  personal  oversight  to  its  con- 
struction. It  is  not  known  just  how  much  he  contributed  toward 
the  enterprise,  over  half,  some  say  two  thirds. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Gibson.  Rev.  Rosman  Ingalls 
deeded  his  home  to  the  society  on  condition  that  the  society,  within 
one  year  after  his  death,  pay  the  trustees  of  Wyoming  Conference 
$400.  This  was  done  in  the  fall  of  1883.  One  pastor  only  oc- 
cupied this  house.  Rev.  J.  R.  Wagner.  Mrs.  Chauncey  Lamb  left 
her  house  to  the  church,  stipulating  that  one  half  the  proceeds 
from  its  use  be  given  to  missions  and  one  half  to  worn-out  preach- 
ers. This  house  is  now  used  as  a  parsonage,  and  the  Ingalls 
property  has  been  sold. 

In  1 87 1  a  revival  here  added  fifty-four  to  the  church.  About 
1882  Urbane  Burrows  gave  by  will  $3,000  to  the  society,  the  in- 
terest of  which  is  to  be  used  for  the  support  of  the  pastor, 
perpetually. 

South  Gibson.  Mrs.  Fitch  Ressiguie  was  the  leading  spirit  of 
this  class  at  the  time  of  its  formation  in  1838.  The  class  was 
organized  by  Rev.  William  Reddy,  who  was  one  of  the  preachers 
on  Brooklyn  Circuit  at  that  time.  This  was  in  the  first  school- 
house,  built  by  H.  P.  Miller,  and  located  near  his  home,  on  what 
is  now  known  as  the  Wilbur  Gardner  property.  This  class 
consisted  of  Fitch  Ressiguie^  Benjamin  Snyder,  his  son  James 
31 


482 


Wyo:mixg  Conference 


Snyder,  Asa  Howard,  Michael  Belcher,  and  their  wives.  Michael 
Belcher  was  the  first  class  leader. 

In  the  day  of  turnpikes  Gibson  Hill  was  the  central  point  for 
miles  around.  About  the  time  the  class  was  organized  a  revival 
occurred  which  had  a  far-reaching  effect.  Among  those  who 
joined  the  society  at  this  time  were  Charles  Edwards,  James 
Chandler,  Wesley  Carpenter,  Hamilton  Bonner,  and  their  wives, 
and  ]Miss  ^^lindwell  Sparks.  The  first  quarterly  meeting  was 
held  the  ensuing  summer,  in  Fitch  Ressiguie's  barn.  People 


SOUTH  GIBSON  CHURCH 


came  from  all  points  on  the  charge — Brooklyn,  Jackson,  and  Ken- 
nedy Hill.  Of  this  occasion  Mrs.  Manzer  (she  who  was  Miss 
Mindwell  Sparks)  wrote:  'T  remember  with  pleasure  the  event. 
The  multitude  had  come  on  Saturday  from  Brooklyn,  and  many 
miles  away,  to  enjoy  the  Saturday  and  Sunday  morning  services, 
and  especially  the  love  feast;  and  how  to  dispose  of  so  many  for 
the  night,  in  a  neighborhood  so  sparsely  settled,  was  a  question 
submitted  to  Sister  Ressiguie,  who,  in  her  Christian  benevolence, 
characteristic  always  of  herself,  replied,  '0,  well,  I  can  keep  as 
many  as  there  are  hoards  on  the  floor.'  Owing  to  her  mathe- 
matical genius  forty  persons  were  comfortably  lodged  and  fed 
under  her  hospitable  roof." 


South  Gibson,  Pa. 


483 


Difficulties  arose  between  the  Methodists  and  Freewill  Baptists 
concerning  the  use  of  the  schoolhouse.  Each  had  occupied  it 
alternately.  The  Methodists  now  deemed  it  wise  to  build  a 
church.  James  Chandler,  Asa  Howard,  and  Charles  Edwards 
were  appointed  a  building  committee.  They  met  at  Fitch 
Ressiguie's  house  with  the  pastor  and  Urbane  Burrows.  Mr. 
Burrows  started  the  subscription  list  with  $50.  In  a  short  time 
subscriptions  enough  were  secured  to  insure  the  success  of  the 
enterprise.  The  church  was  located  on  Fitch  Ressiguie's  land, 
on  the  lot  now  used  as  a  cemetery,  and  was  dedicated  in  January, 
1 84 1,  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Snyder. 

*Tn  1853  tl^is  class  was  taken  from  the  Brooklyn  Circuit  and 
put  with  Harford.  Harford  Circuit  at  this  time  included  Har- 
ford, Wade's,  South  Gibson,  Kentuck,  Burrows  Hollow,  East 
Hill,  Smiley,  Fleine's,  Gibson  Hill,  Jackson  Center,  Cargill's, 
North  Jackson,  Savory's,  Page's  Pond,  and  Sweet's."  This  state- 
ment has  reference  to  the  circuit  in  1853.  this  year  Gibson 
charge  was  created,  and  consequently  could  not  have  been  a  part 
of  Harford  Circuit.  As  Harford  does  not  appear  as  a  charge 
until  1868,  it  is  probable  that  the  writer  quoted  above  should  have 
said  Gibson  instead  of  Harford. 

In  the  latter  part  of  October,  1853,  Wesley  Carpenter  invited 
Rev.  S.  Weiss,  one  of  the  preachers  on  the  charge,  to  conduct  a 
series  of  revival  services  in  the  schoolhouse  near  Wade's  tavern. 
The  meetings  continued  six  weeks,  resulting  in  about  one  hundred 
conversions.  Nearly  every  home  in  the  vicinity  became  a  praying 
one.  In  1870  another  revival  occurred  in  which  fourteen  heads  of 
families  came  into  the  church. 

The  main  part  of  the  present  church  is  the  Kennedy  Hill 
church.  The  frame,  outside  covering  of  walls-,  wainscoting,  pews, 
and  doors  of  the  Kennedy  Hill  church  are  in  this  building.  A 
lecture  room  was  added  in  the  rear,  similar  to  the  lecture  room  at 
Gibson.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  June  29,  1870, 
by  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives. 

South  Gibson  has  not  continuously  been  a  part  of  Gibson 
charge. 

Two  women  of  this  society  have  been  eminently  useful — Mrs. 
Mary  Tewksbury  Ressiguie,  and  Mrs.  Mindwell  Manzer,  the 
latter  having  done  considerable  evangelistic  work. 

The  following  have  served  as  class  leaders :  Michael  Belcher, 
Asa  Howard,  Charles  Edwards,  Hamilton  Bonner,  James  Snyder, 
Wesley  Carpenter,  Charles  Bennett,  Elisha  Keech,  and  George  C. 
Brundage.    The  latter  served  over  thirty  years. 


484 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1853-54,  R.  Ingalls,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1855,  W.  Round,  M.  Car- 
rier; 1856,  W.  Round,  L.  Peck;  1857,  L.  Peck,  W.  W.  Welch; 
1858,  W.  W.  Welch,  J.  Whitham;  1859,  D.  Worrall;  i860,  D. 
Worrall,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1861,  J.  V.  Newell;  1862,  W.  B.  Thomas, 
G.  Westfall;  1863,  W.  B.  Thomas,  S.  Elwell ;  1864,  G.  A.  Sever- 
son,  S.  Elwell;  1865,  G.  A.  Severson,  J.  D.  Woodruff;  1866,  G.  A. 
Severson;  1867-69,  G.  R.  Hair;  1870-71,  George  Forsyth;  1872- 
73,  A.  J.  Arnold;  1874-75,  D.  C.  Barnes;  (1876-86  Gibson  was 
with  Harford;)  1876-78,  G.  T.  Price;  1879-80,  C.  M.  Surdam ; 
1881-82,  Thomas  Burgess;  1883-85,  J.  R.  Wagner;  1886-88,  J.  D. 
Bloodgood;  1889-90,  P.  R.  Tower;  1891-95,  G.  C.  Jacobs;  1896- 
97,  G.  N.  Underwood;  1898-99,  Isaac  Jenkins;  1900,  L.  T. 
Van  Campen  ;  1901-03,  G.  Gorisse. 

Great  Bend,  Pa. 

Nathaniel  Lewis  resided  down  the  river,  in  the  edge  of  Oakland 
township.  He  was  ordained  deacon  by  Bishop  Asbury  in  1807. 
He  held  meetings  in  surrounding  settlements  at  an  early  day,  and 
is  supposed  to  have  done  so  in  Great  Bend.  John  Buck  wrote  as 
follows  in  1869: 

"Seventy-five  years  ago  there  was  a  log  dwelling  house  north 
of  where  the  Erie  depot  now  stands,  at  Great  Bend,  used  as  a  place 
of  worship.  The  congregation  was  scattered  up  and  down  the 
river,  in  cabins.  The  only  means  of  getting  from  here  was  by 
canoes.  They  went  as  far  as  the  rift  or  rapids,  where  they  left 
their  canoes,  and  walked  past  the  rapids,  then  took  passage  in  a 
large  canoe  around  by  my  father's.  For  dinner  they  carried 
milk  in  bottles,  and  mush.  They  listened  to  one  sermon  in  the 
forenoon,  and  then  came  back  to  the  canoe  and  ate  dinner,  then 
went  back  to  second  service ;  Daniel  Buck  was  minister.  In  sum- 
mer this  was  their  means  of  travel. 

"With  increasing  families  the  means  of  communication  in- 
creased. In  winter  there  was  no  other  way  save  by  footpaths. 
For  many  years  there  were  no  denominations  save  Presbyterians. 
About  seventy  years  ago  [1799]  the  Methodists  began  an  influence 
about  two  miles  from  here.  Everybody  espoused  Methodism — 
men,  women,  and  children.  They  frequently  walked  from  five  to 
six  miles  to  be  present  at  prayer  meetings. 

"My  sisters  were  at  one  of  the  prayer  meetings,  and,  as  an 
evidence  of  the  change  in  the  spirit,  understanding,  and  manners 
of  the  people,  I  give  language  used  in  two  of  the  prayers  on  that 


Great  Bend,  Pa. 


485 


occasion.  The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  that  this  was  seventy 
years  ago,  and  that  the  people  were  poor,  and  had  little  of  the 
means  or  knowledge  of  the  present  day.  I  do  not  conceive  that 
either  of  the  individuals  mentioned  cherished  a  wrong  spirit 
toward  their  fellows,  but  their  language  gives  an  illustration  of 
the  strength  of  party  spirit  at  that  time. 

"Elder  Lewis  said,  'Send  the  mind  of  the  people  up  the  river 


down  to  me^  and  the  people  down  the  river  [the  Presbyterians] 
may  go  to  hell,  and  I  care  not.' 

"Mrs.  Stid,  at  the  same  meeting,  said,  *0  Lord,  take  Captain 
Buck  by  the  nape  of  the  neck  and  shake  him  over  hell  until  his 
teeth  chatter  like  a  raccoon.'  " 

The  above  shows  the  intensity  of  the  people,  at  least. 

Shortly  after  Conference  in  1843  the  class  received  notice  from 
the  trustees  of  the  school  district  to  cease  using  the  schoolhouse. 
The  notice  was  by  Rev.  McRary,  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  a  Mr.  De  Bois,  a  deacon  of  the  same  church.  Squire 
Lusk,  a  warm  friend  of  the  father  of  Asa  Brooks,  though  not  a 
Christian,  was  much  displeased  at  this  move.  Being  agent  of 
what  was  known  as  the  "Block  House,"  he  seated  it,  put  in  a 


GREAT  BEND  CHURCH 


486 


Wyoming  Conference 


stove,  and  gave  the  class  the  use  of  it.  About  this  time  a  Mr. 
Emmons,  who  owned  a  cooper  shop  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  near  where  the  Erie  depot  now  stands,  gave  the  Methodists 
the  use  of  it,  he  sweeping  and  seating  it  for  each  service.  Meet- 
ings were  also  held  in  a  schoolhouse  about  a  mile  out  of  town. 

Early  in  1846  the  preachers  of  Susquehanna  District  petitioned 
for  the  formation  of  Great  Bend  Mission.  Accordingly,  the  Con- 
ference of  1846  created  the  mission  and  appointed  Rev.  R.  S. 
Rose  to  it.  The  mission  was  intended  to  include  Great  Bend, 
Liberty,  Franklin,  part  of  Silver  Lake,  and  part  of  Conklin.  Rev. 
Mr.  Rose  writes  that  his  preaching  places  were  as  follows :  "At 
Great  Bend,  in  a  schoolhouse  for  a  short  time  and  then  the  class 
hired  the  Baptist  church  (this  Baptist  church  was  located  in  what 
is  now  Hallstead)  ;  at  Conklin  Forest,  in  a  schoolhouse;  at  Cor- 
bittsville,  in  a  schoolhouse ;  at  Snake  Creek  Forks,  in  a  school- 
house  ;  at  Liberty,  or  Tanney,  in  a  schoolhouse ;  at  McKinney,  in 
a  schoolhouse."  At  the  end  of  his  year's  work  he  left  eighty  mem- 
bers on  the  circuit.  The  next  year  (1847)  this  territory  is  put 
with  Montrose. 

The  society  at  Great  Bend  grew  slowly ;  it  was  small  for  many 
years.  When  Riley  Case  moved  to  Great  Bend  from  South  Gib- 
son the  leading  members  were  Dr.  James  Brooks  (class  leader), 
John  McKinney,  Mrs.  Summerton,  Mrs.  Painter,  Mrs.  Trow- 
bridge, Mrs.  Goble,  and  Nathaniel  Banker.  Mr.  Case  at  once 
joined  the  class. 

About  1 85 1  Jonathan  Weston  was  teaching  school  in  Great 
Bend,  in  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Chaffee.  Mrs.  Clara 
Guernsey  and  others  secured  the  use  of  the  room  from  Mr.  Wes- 
ton, and  invited  Rev.  N.  S.  De  Witt,  then  at  Conklin,  N.  Y.,  to 
come  and  hold  some  meetings  in  this  room,  which  he  did.  This 
was  undoubtedly  by  consent  of  the  Montrose  pastor,  who  had 
charge  of  this  class  at  this  time.  It  is  very  probable  that  Metho- 
dism was  at  a  very  low  ebb  at  this  time. 

In  1854  a  small  church  was  erected  on  the  present  site. 

The  society  was  incorporated  on  November  10,  1869,  with 
Bradley  Wakeman,  E.  F.  Wilmot,  George  Griggs,  A.  W.  Lara- 
bee,  A.  P.  Stephens,  William  Painter,  Eli  Wilcox,  Selah  Belden, 
and  Alonzo  S.  Gaboon  as  trustees. 

The  church  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  at  a  cost  of  $11,400,  and 
was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  September  21,  1870,  Rev.  B.  I. 
Ives  preaching  in  the  morning  and  W.  H.  Olin  in  the  evening.  It 
was  dedicated  at  the  close  of  the  evening  service  by  D.  W.  Bristol, 
the  presiding  elder.    This  church  burned  on  Saturday  evening, 


Great  Bend,  Pa. 


487 


November  18,  187 1.  At  the  time  of  the  fire  the  society  had  not 
yet  paid  for  the  church,  so  that  the  fire  left  the  society  with  a  lot 
and  an  indebtedness  of  $1,500.  The  construction  of  a  new  church 
was  at  once  begun.  The  new  structure  was  dedicated  on  March 
13,  1873,  Rev.  W.  P.  Abbott  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 

D.  D.  Lindsley  in  the  evening.  The  building  cost  $11,500.  The 
society  had  a  long  and  bitter  struggle  in  paying  for  this  property, 
receiving  some  liberal  contributions  from  outside  the  charge.  In 
1880  the  society  was  still  $2,000  in  debt.  Mr.  B.  Wakeman  made 
a  very  liberal  subscription,  and  the  lively  efiforts  of  the  young 
people  reduced  the  debt  to  $900.  In  July,  1881,  $200  more  was 
paid  on  the  debt.  On  January  8,  1882,  a  jubilee  service  was  held 
over  the  liquidation  of  the  debt.  Toward  this  the  widow  of  Rev. 
W.  P.  Abbott  paid  $200. 

In  1888  the  church  was  carpeted,  painted,  and  frescoed,  and 
mortgaged  for  $500.  Incidental  indebtedness  increased  so  that 
in  1894  the  society  was  $800  in  debt.  In  1895  and  1896  $200 
was  spent  in  repairs  and  the  indebtedness  reduced  to  $300.  In- 
debtedness was  allowed  to  accumulate  until  $600  must  be  raised 
to  pay  all  indebtedness.  On  November  6,  1898,  a  rally  day  was 
observed,  and  announcement  made  by  the  pastor  that  the  debt 
was  all  raised  and  enough  more  to  insure  the  church. 

This  building  seems  to  stand  in  an  electrical  storm  center.  The 
church  which  burned  was  struck  by  lightning,  but  without  much 
injury.  The  present  structure  was  hit  by  lightning  about  1886, 
and  quite  seriously  damaged. 

The  society  has  no  parsonage. 

Pastorates 

Prior  to  1841  its  preachers  were  probably  from  Wyoming  and 
Bridgewater  Circuits;  1841-45,  with  Montrose  (1841-42,  E.  B. 
Tenny,  George  C.  Thompson;  1843-44,  J.  R.  Boswell ;  1845, 
W.  Round);  1846,  R.  S.  Rose;  1847-54,  with  Montrose  (1847, 
Asa  Brooks,  D.  Torry;  1848,  D.  Torry,  G.  P.  Porter;  1849,  E.  B. 
Tenny,  G.  W.  Leach ;  1850-51,  John  Mulkey ;  1852-53,  P.  Bartlett; 
1854,  Joseph  Whitham,  J.  H.  Cargill)  ;  1855-56,  New  Milford 
and  Great  Bend,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1857,  Great  Bend  and  New  Mil- 
ford  (the  two  places  continuing  together  until  spring  of  1869), 
W.  Silsbee;  1858,  Luther  Peck;  1859-60,  H.  Wheeler;  1861,  S.  S. 
Barter;  1862,  G.  A.  Severson ;  1863-64,  P.  Bartlett;  1865-66,  S. 
Elwell;  1867-68,  A.  F.  Harding;  1869-71,  1.  N.  Pardee;  1872-74, 

E.  P.  Eldridge;  1875-76,  C.  S.  Alexander;  1877,  W.  B.  Kinney; 
1878-79,  C.  H.  Jewell;  1880-81,  J.  W.  Mevis;  1882-84,  O.  L. 


488 


Wyoming  Conference 


Severson;  1885-87,  E.  B.  Olmstead;  1888-89,  J-  B.  Sweet;  1890- 
91,  W.  R.  Turner;  1892-93,  J.  A.  Faulkner;  1894-97,  J.  S.  Cromp- 
ton;  1898-1900,  J.  X.  Lee;  1901-02,  S.  G.  Snowden;  1903,  E.  B. 
Singer. 

Hallstead,  Pa. 

^Methodists  commenced  work  here  as  early  as  1842,  holding 
services  in  an  old  Baptist  church  and  in  a  schoolhouse  that  stood 
on  the  site  of  the  present  church.  Between  that  time  and  the 
organization  of  the  Hallstead  church  several  ministers  of  the 
Great  Bend  and  New  Milford  and  Great  Bend  charges  held 
services  here.    Rev.  J.  B.  Sweet  held  meetings  in  the  schoolhouse 


hallstead  church 


on  Franklin  Street,  and  afterward  in  the  Stockholm  Hall,  corner 
of  Pine  Street  and  Chase  Avenue.  Rev.  J.  A.  Faulkner  held 
services  in  the  Baptist  church  and  in  the  Young  ]\Ien's  Christian 
Association  Hall. 

"As  the  town  grew  and  the  number  of  Methodists  in  Hallstead 
increased  it  was  thought  that  the  interests  of  ^Methodism  could 
best  be  conserved  by  erecting  a  church.  Growing  out  of  this 
thought,  at  the  third  Quarterly  Conference  of  the  Great  Bend 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  held  in  October,  1894,  a  resolution 
was  adopted  to  the  effect  that  'it  was  now  time  that  the  ]\Iethodist 
people  in  our  sister  town  of  Hallstead  should  have  a  church  of 
their  own.'  The  following  trustees  were  elected,  who  at  a  future 
meeting  held  in  Hallstead  were  confirmed  and  elected  to  the  offices 


Hallstead,  Pa. 


489 


indicated,  namely,  L.  D.  Miller,  president;  B.  F.  Bernstein,  sec- 
retary ;  L.  N.  Frudd,  treasurer ;  A.  Watson,  and  J.  Bogart. 

"The  following  Monday  night  a  meeting  of  all  interested  was 
held  in  Hallstead,  at  which  time,  as  above  stated,  the  trustees  were 
confirmed,  and  a  site  for  building  the  church  was  selected.  Three 
lots  were  obtainable  free  of  cost,  namely,  the  Rose  property  on 
Church  Street,  adjoining  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western 
Railroad  track ;  a  lot  offered  by  the  Hallstead  Land  Improvement 
Company,  together  with  a  pledge  of  $500;  and  a  lot  on  Pine 
Street,  offered  by  Captain  R.  C.  DuBois.  After  a  general  dis- 
cussion a  vote  was  taken,  by  which  it  was  unanimously  decided 
to  accept  the  offer  of  the  Rose  property  on  Church  Street. 

"A  subscription  was  soon  after  started,  and  nearly  $1,500  was 
pledged.  To  decide  where  to  build  was  one  thing ;  to  decide  what 
to  build  was  another  thing.  On  the  subject  of  the  size  and  cost 
of  the  church-to-be  there  was  difference  of  opinion.  Owing  to 
this  the  building  project  was  delayed  for  some  time,  and  at  one 
time  it  seemed  that  the  whole  matter  would  fail  of  success.  Plans, 
procured  from  the  Church  Extension  Society,  were  at  length  de- 
cided on,  the  contract  was  awarded  to  F.  H.  Johnson  and  the 
work  of  building  pushed  rapidly  forward. 

"The  corner  stone  was  laid  September  11,  1895.  The  following- 
named  articles  were  placed  in  the  corner  stone,  namely :  A  Bible ; 
a  copy  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Discipline ;  a  photograph  of  the 
pastor.  Rev.  John  Crompton ;  a  copy  of  each  of  the  following  pa- 
pers :  The  Christian  Advocate,  the  Northern  Christian  Advocate, 
the  Hallstead  Herald,  and  the  Great  Bend  Plaindealer,  and  an 
historical  statement  of  the  movement.  Addresses  were  made  by 
Presiding  Elder  Woodruff,  Revs.  Stephen  Jay,  H.  H.  Wilbur, 
J.  B.  Wilson,  and  others.  Rev.  J.  S.  Crompton  laid  the  corner 
stone,  assisted  by  the  trustees." 

The  church  was  dedicated  on  Tuesday,  March  17,  1896.  At 
the  morning  service  speeches  were  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Church, 
pastor  of  the  Hallstead  Presbyterian  Church,  Rev.  Mr.  Davis  pas- 
tor of  the  Hallstead  Baptist  Church,  Revs.  J.  S.  Crompton,  J.  H. 
Race,  C.  H.  H^yes,  and  A.  F.  Harding,  Mr.  Adar,  secretary  of 
the  Hallstead  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  Mr. 
Moore,  editor  of  the  Great  Bend  Plaindealer.  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce, 
D.D.,  preached  at  2  p.  m.,  and  in  the  evening  Rev.  J.  B.  Sweet. 
The  cost  of  the  church  and  furnishings,  exclusive  of  lot,  was 
$3,600.  There  was  needed  $2,000,  the  balance  having  been  raised. 
Rev.  J.  H.  Race  did  the  soliciting  during  the  day,  and  $1,700  was 
secured,  leaving  an  unprovided-for  debt  of  $300.    The  church 


490 


Wyoming  Conference 


was  dedicated  by  Rev.  Stephen  Jay,  in  the  absence  of  the  presiding 
elder,  who  was  sick. 

On  the  succeeding  Sunday  a  Sunday  school  was  organized,  with 
Charles  Banker  superintendent.  Subsequently  Senior  and  Junior 
Leagues  were  organized. 

On  Thursday,  October  28,  1897,  a  Rally  Day  service  was  held. 
Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  even- 
ing service  was  ni  charge  of  Rev.  J.  H.  Race,  the  Carmel  Grove 
Trio  furnishing  several  songs.  The  sum  of  $875  was  raised, 
which  a  little  more  than  paid  the  indebtedness  of  the  society. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  about  the  time  the 
building  of  a  new  church  began  to  be  agitated,  and  has  done 
fine  service. 

The  first  death  of  a  member  of  the  society  was  that  of  John 
Austin,  who  fell  dead  on  July  18,  1897,  while  leading  the  Ep worth 
League  service. 

Some  singular  coincidences :  The  church  was  dedicated  on 
St.  Patrick's  Day ;  the  first  pastor  was  of  Irish  descent ;  the  first 
lecture  delivered  in  the  church  w^as  by  an  Irishman  and  on  Ire- 
land ;  and  the  first  funeral  in  the  church  was  that  of  an  Irishman. 

The  pastor  at  Great  Bend  served  this  society  until  Conference 
in  April,  when  it  received  a  pastor  by  appointment  of  the  Confer- 
ence. 

Pastorates 

1896,  E.  E.  Riley;  1897-98,  D.  L.  McDonald;  1899,  H.  A. 
Williams;  1900-01,  E.  Colwell ;  1902,  W.  L.  Linnaberry;  1903, 
G.  A.  Warburton. 

Harford,  Pa. 

Presbyterianism  and  Congregationalism  preceded  Methodism 
in  Harford,  having  been  brought  here  from  Massachusetts  by  the 
earliest  settlers,  known  as  the  ''Nine  Partners." 

The  first  Methodist  class  formed  in  the  township  was  in  North 
Harford,  about  1839.  The  following  were  its  members:  Tyler 
Carpenter,  Miles  Dikeman,  Julia  Dikeman,  Daniel  Green,  Edward 
and  Wealthy  White,  John  and  Sarah  Dikeman,  Louisa  Payne, 
Catharine  Briton,  Mary  Sophia,  Jane  Dikeman,  Simeon  and 
Nancy  Sloat.    Tyler  Carpenter  was  the  class  leader. 

In  1841  another  class  was  organized  in  the  village  of  Harford, 
consisting  of  fifteen  persons.  William  Raymond,  Amos  J.  Rice 
and  wife,  Silas  B.  Guile,  Harvey  Sibley  and  wife,  Dexter  Sibley 
and  wife,  Penuel  Carpenter  and  wife,  Elenora  Sweet,  John  Dike- 
man  and  wife,  Augustus  Sophia  and  family.    William  Raymond 


Harford,  Pa. 


491 


and  Amos  J.  Rice  were  the  first  leaders.  Dexter  Sibley,  J.  C. 
Edward,  and  S.  B.  Guile  have  since  served  in  that  capacity.  Meet- 
ings were  held  in  a  large  upper  room  in  Harvey  Sibley's  house, 
afterward  owned  by  Zerah  Very,  and  finally  demolished.  In  1842 
there  were  no  regular  services,  preaching  being  supplied  occa- 
sionally by  neighboring  pastors.  The  Quarterly  Conference  of 
Brooklyn  Circuit,  held  in  Gibson  on  July  i,  1843,  adopted  this 
resolution : 

"Resolved,  That  this  Quarterly  Conference  request  the  presid- 
mg  elder  to  use  his  influence  with  the  bishop  at  the  next  session 
of  the  Oneida  Conference  to  have  three  preachers  appointed  to 
this  circuit  for  the  next  Conference  year,  provided  the  friends  in 
Harford  will  pledge  themselves  to  raise  the  amount  necessary  to 
support  a  preacher  with  a  small  family." 

Harford  agreed  and  was  added  to  the  Brooklyn  Circuit.  The 
class  had  grown  so  that  now  it  had  thirty-two  members :  William 
N.  and  Mary  Raymond,  George  W.  Leach,  Dexter  and  Thankful 
Sibley,  Amos  J.  and  Sally  Rice,  S.  B.  Guile,  Harvey  and  Mary 
Sibley,  Penuel  and  Caroline  Carpenter,  Francis  Sanford,  Stead- 
man  Marean,  Julia  Thatcher,  Peter  V.  and  Lois  Dunn,  John  E. 
Richardson,  Ezekiel  T.  Seeley,  Maria  Thatcher,  Mary  M.  For- 
sythe,  Hulda  A.  Dunn,  Sarah  A.  Rice,  C.  M.  and  Jerusha  Paine, 
William  Gillon,  O.  G.  Coughlan,  Cyrus  C.  Carpenter,  Florilla 
Tucker,  David  Foreman,  Julia  Fuller,  and  Mary  C.  Marean. 

The  class  grew  until  the  upper  room  was  too  small  for  them. 
Early  in  1844  they  decided  to  build  a  church.  The  present  site 
was  donated  by  Harvey  Sibley.  Materials  were  collected  and  the 
building  commenced ;  but  being  unable  to  finish,  the  basement  was 
fitted  up  and  used  for  church  work  until  1850,  when  the  audience 
room  was  completed  and  the  building  dedicated.  This  year  was 
noted  because  of  a  great  revival  which  swept  the  town. 

In  the  spring  of  1846  Harford  had  its  first  quarterly  meeting. 

In  1869  and  1870  the  church  was  thoroughly  repaired — painted, 
newly  roofed,  pews  rearranged  and  painted,  new  pulpit,  new  altar 
rail  and  place  for  choir,  new  organ  put  in,  walls  papered,  and 
horse  sheds  erected,  all  at  a  cost  of  $1,400.  The  church  was  re- 
opened on  Friday,  March  18,  1870,  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preaching  in 
the  morning  and  Rev.  S.  W.  Weiss  in  the  evening.  There  was 
raised  on  this  day  $700,  the  balance  needed  to  pay  for  repairs.  In 
1878  the  old  steeple  was  removed  and  a  modern  tower  erected,  a 
one-thousand-pound  bell  put  in  the  tower,  and  the  church  re- 
roofed.  These  repairs  cost  $542,  of  which  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society 
paid  $292.   In  1881  a  picket  fence  was  built  along  the  front  of  the 


492 


Wyoming  Conference 


lot,  costing  $90,  and  in  1884  $160  was  invested  in  more  sheds.  In 
1886  the  church  was  again  renovated  and  repaired,  at  a  cost  of 
$625.  Improvements  consisted  in  a  new  roof,  new  windows,  walls 
repapered,  building  painted  outside  and  in,  and  a  new  fence. 

In  April,  1889,  the  parsonage,  located  on  Water  Street,  was 
purchased  of  James  A.  Savage  for  $400.  The  property  was 
valued  at  $800,  Mr.  Savage  donating  $400. 

The  Sunday  school  has  existed  since  about  1845,  the  fol- 
lowing have  been  superintendents :  William  N.  Raymond,  A.  J. 
Rice,  S.  B.  Guile,  O.  G.  Coughlin,  J.  C.  Edwards,  E.  M.  Osborn, 
W.  S.  Sophia,  W.  B.  Guile,  and  E.  M.  Tingley. 

The  years  1861,  1871,  1874,  1875,  1879,  1888,  and  1889  were 
seasons  of  good  revival  work. 

On  May  28,  1853,  the  Quarterly  Conference  at  South  Gibson 
"Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  extent  of  territory,  nature  of 
the  roads,  necessity  for  greater  amount  of  pastoral  and  pulpit 
labors  than  can  be  had  under  the  present  arrangement,  we  recom- 
mend to  the  Annual  Conference  a  division  of  Brooklyn  Circuit, 
and  that  the  lines  of  division  be  along  the  Martin  Creek  to  the 
Milford  and  Owego  turnpike,  by  the  turnpike  to  Lenox  Corners, 
and  thence  down  the  Tunkhannock  Creek." 

The  Conference  divided  the  territory  forming  the  Gibson  Cir- 
cuit, which  embraced  Gibson,  Jackson,  and  Harford  townships. 
This  arrangement  continued  until  1868,  when  the  Gibson  Circuit 
was  divided  into  two  circuits — the  Gibson  and  Jackson  Circuit, 
and  the  Harford  and  South  Gibson  Circuit.  Harford  and  South 
Gibson  continued  until  1874,  when  it  was  united  with  Gibson, 
forming  Gibson  and  Harford  charge.  In  1886  Gibson  and  Har- 
ford were  divided  by  mutual  consent. 

Kingsley.  For  some  years  the  people  of  various  beliefs  united 
with  the  Universalists  in  church  work.  But  some  devout  Chris- 
tian ladies,  unwilling  to  be  swallowed  up  by  that  body,  and  to  be 
compelled  to  teach  doctrines  which  they  could  not  indorse,  with- 
drew and  organized  a  Sunday  school  in  the  schoolhouse.  Shortly 
after  this  the  Rev.  Thomas  Eva,  of  Harford,  preached  to  this 
people  twice  a  week  in  the  schoolhouse.  Some  conversions  oc- 
curred, and  a  class  was  organized.  In  1897  this  class  was  added 
to  the  East  Bridge  water  charge,  where  it  remained  until  1899, 
when  it  was  put  with  Harford. 

In  1897  and  1898  the  church  was  built,  the  lot  and  building 
costing  $1,150.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  March  31,  1898, 
Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd,  the  presiding  elder,  preaching  in  the  morning 


Hawleyton,  N.  Y. 


493 


ancf  Rev.  E.  B.  Olmstead  in  the  afternoon.  At  these  services  $400 
was  raised,  which  a  httle  more  than  provided  for  the  amount  of 
indebtedness. 

Pastorates 

1843-52,  with  Brooklyn  Circuit  (1843,  William  Round,  H. 
Brownscombe,  W.  H.  Miller;  1844,  William  Round,  G.  H.  Blakes- 
lee,  John  Hersey;  1845,  Thomas  Wilcox,  Asa  Brooks,  N.  S.  De 
Witt;  1846,  J.  W.  Davison,  Asa  Brooks;  1847,  M.  Ruger,  J.  W. 
Davison;  1848,  M.  Ruger,  L.  D.  Tryon;  1849-50,  E.  P.  Williams, 
D.  C.  Olmstead;  1851,  E.  W.  Breckinridge,  S.  S.  Barter,  William 
Shelp;  1852,  E.  W.  Breckinridge,  W.  B.  Thomas)  ;  1853-67,  with 
Gibson  (1853-54,  R.  Ingalls,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1855,  William  Round, 
M.  Carrier;  1856,  William  Round,  Luther  Peck;  1857,  W.  W. 
Welch,  Luther  Peck;  1858,  W.  W.  Welch,  Joseph  Whitham ; 
1859,  D-  Worrall;  i860,  D.  Worrall,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1861,  J.  V. 
Newell,  G.  Westfall ;  1862,  W.  B.  Thomas,  G.  Westfall ;  1863, 
W.  B.  Thomas,  S.  Elwell ;  1864,  G.  A.  Severson,  S.  Elwell;  1865, 
G.  A.  Severson,  J.  D.  Woodruff;  1866,  G.  A.  Severson,  J.  B. 
Davis;  1867,  G.  R.  Hair);  1868-73,  Harford  and  South  Gibson 
(1868,  Jesse  T.  Crowell;  1869,  G.  Westfall;  1870-72,  A.  C. 
Sperry;  1873,  H.  G.  Harned)  ;  1874-85,  with  Gibson  (1874-75, 
D.  C.  Barnes;  1876-78,  G.  T.  Price;  1879-80,  C.  M.  Surdam; 
1881-82,  Thomas  Burgess;  1883-85,  J.  R.  Wagner);  1886-87, 
W.  H.  Bailey;  1888,  J.  W.  Nicholson;  1889,  G.  E.  Van  Woert ; 
1890,  H.  A.  Greene;  1891-93,  F.  D.  Hartsock ;  1894-96,  Thomas 
Eva;  1897-98,  J.  M.  Correll;  1899-1901,  G.  D.  Fisher;  1902-03, 
T.  R.  Warnock. 

By  comparison  it  will  be  seen  that  the  above  does  not  agree  with 
Brooklyn  Circuit  and  Gibson.  Those  were  taken  from  the  pub- 
lished Minutes,  this  from  the  church  records.  The  presiding  elder 
undoubtedly  added  to  the  appointments  a  supply  after  Conference. 

Hawleyton,  N.  Y. 

Hawleyton  and  Brackneyville  were  taken  from  the  Vestal  Cir- 
cuit at  the  formation  of  this  charge.  Hawleyton  was  at  one  time 
called  "The  Hemlocks"  and  later  "West  Chenango."  We  are  un- 
able to  state  the  time  Methodism  began  its  work  here.  Its  early 
days  are  lost  to  view.  In  1845  ^  revival  strengthened  the  class 
very  greatly.  By  some  this  is  claimed  to  be  the  origin  of  the 
class.  The  church  and  parsonage  were  built  by  J.  M.  Hawley — 
that  is,  he  left  direction  in  his  will  for  the  building  of  the  church 
and  parsonage,  which  was  done  by  his  son  as  executor.  The 


494 


Wyoming  Conference 


place  is  named  in  honor  of  him.  The  church  cost  about  $2,db0, 
and  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  January  i,  1857,  at  11  a.  m.,  by 
Dr.  N.  Rounds.  Prior  to  this  the  society  used  the  schoolhouse. 
This  building  was  remodeled  in  1877,  at  a  cost  of  $440.  It  was 
newly  sided,  replastered,  steeple  built,  and  the  inside  somewhat 
changed  and  refurnished.  It  was  reopened  on  Thanksgiving  Day 
by  the  Rev.  William  Bixby. 

A  meeting  to  incorporate  the  society  was  held  at  the  house  of 
Edwin  J.  Sterns,  on  February  22,  1854,  at  2  p.  m.  Marvin  Lath- 
rop  and  Eli  Meeker  were  judges,  and  the  following  were  elected 
trustees :  James  S.  Hawley,  Ebenezer  Miller,  Edwin  J.  Sterns, 
Samuel  Meeker,  John  A.  Severson,  Henry  Jacox,  and  Amos  Bray- 
man.  The  corporate  name  of  the  society  is  "The  Hawleyton 
Methodist  Episcopal  Society." 

Brackneyville.  As  early  as  18 18  an  effort  was  made  to  organize 
work  here,  but  failed  on  account  of  the  unsettled  condition  of  the 
people.  About  1831  regular  services  were  established,  and  held 
in  schoolhouses  and  houses  of  the  members.  The  Heath,  Jaycox, 
Minkler,  and  Miller  families  were  among  the  early  members.  On 
New  Year's  Day  in  1840  a  series  of  revival  services  was  com- 
menced which  resulted  in  forty  conversions.  This  meeting  was 
referred  to  for  many  years  afterward  as  the  ''great  reformation." 
This  added  much  strength  to  the  class. 

In  1846  a  plain  frame  church  was  built  on  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  crossroads,  south  of  Brackneyville,  and  opposite  the  school- 
house,  in  which  meetings  were  held.  The  church  was  dedicated 
in  February,  1847.  In  1867  this  building  was  moved  to  a  more 
desirable  site  on  the  same  road,  farther  north,  improved  and  en- 
larged at  a  cost  of  $2,000.  The  society  became  incorporated  on 
January  24,  1868,  with  the  following  as  trustees  :  J.  S.  Gage,  R.  B. 
Meeker,  William  Meeker,  Benjamin  S.  Gage,  Mortimer  Gage, 
Aaron  Meeker,  and  John  W.  Brackney. 

Conklin  Forks  is  on  the  Little  Snake  Creek.  We  know  very 
little  about  this  appointment.  The  society  was  incorporated  on 
February  22,  1872,  as  "The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  Little 
Snake  Creek."  Rev.  C.  V.  Arnold  presided  at  the  meeting  for 
incorporation,  and  Eli  S.  Meeker  acted  as  secretary.  D.  N. 
Clure,  Daniel  Lockwood,  Albert  Spafford,  Samuel  Clement,  Jef- 
ferson T.  Finch,  Sylvester  M.  Finch,  and  Richard  Van  Patten 
were  elected  trustees.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday, 
December  18,  1872,  D.  W.  Bristol,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morning 
and  H.  R.  Clarke,  D.D.,  in  the  evening. 


Heart  Lake,  Pa. 


495 


Pastorates 

Prior  to  1861  with  Vestal.  1861,  supply ;  1862,  L.  Pitts ;  1863-65, 
George  Comfort;  1866-67,  D.  D.  Lindslcy ;  1868,  William  Round; 
1869,  W.  Round,  A.  F.  Harding;  1870-72,  C.  V.  Arnold ;  1873-74, 

E.  Sibley;  1875-76,  S.  W.  Spencer;  1877-78,  Asa  Brooks;  1879-80, 
T.  Burgess;  1881-83,  J.  F.  Jones;  1884-86,  P.  Holbrook;  1887-89, 

F.  H.  Parsons;  1890,  G.  W.  Saunders;  1891-92,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1893, 
J.  S.  Crompton;  1894,  A.  Eastman;  1895-96,  J.  H.  Weston;  1897, 
J.  H.  Taylor;  1898-99,  Robert  McLaren;  1900-01,  N.  A.  Darling; 
1902-03,  Philip  Houck. 

Heart  Lake,  Pa. 

Mr.  Gates,  of  Binghamton,  while  taking  his  vacation  at  Heart 
Lake  in  the  summer  of  1896,  instituted  prayer  meeting  services 
which  were  held  in  the  homes  of  this  vicinity.  Several  conver- 
sions occurred.  The  pastor  of  New  Milford  held  preaching 
services  here  in  1897,  organized  a  society,  and  circulated  the  sub- 
scription paper  for  the  building  of  the  church.  The  lot  was  given 
by  Mr.  David  L.  Kimber  in  August  of  1897,  and  the  work  of 
building  commenced  at  once.  The  church  cost  about  $1,000,  and 
was  dedicated  on  January  20,  1898,  by  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd.  In  the 
spring  of  1898  it  was  put  with  the  East  Bridgewater  charge. 

East  Bridgewater.  It  is  claimed  that  a  class  was  formed  here 
in  1813  with  Nathaniel  Reynolds  leader.  Another  writer  says 
that  there  were  occasional  preaching  services  here  as  early  as 
1816.  It  is  evident  that  Methodism  was  planted  here  at  an  early 
day.  Meetings  were  held  in  private  houses  and  barns,  and  sub- 
sequently in  the  schoolhouse  until  the  building  of  the  church.  A 
revival  of  over  one  hundred  conversions  in  the  winter  of  iSy6-y'/ 
gave  new  life  and  strength  to  a  class  which  had  struggled  for 
years.  In  1877  a  site  was  given  the  society  by  Windsor  Aldrich 
and  Mrs.  Hattie  E.  Gardner.  The  church  was  begun  in  the  fall 
of  1877  and  completed  the  following  spring,  at  a  cost  of  $2,500. 
It  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  William  Bixby,  the  Wyoming  Trio  and 
some  adjoining  pastors  being  present. 

There  have  been  three  revival  seasons  which  are  recalled  as 
really  great — the  winters  of  1858-59,  1859-60,  1876-77. 

This  place  was  on  the  Bridgewater  Circuit  until  the  formation 
of  Brooklyn  Circuit,  when  it  became  a  part  of  it.  It  remained 
with  Brooklyn  until  1881  or  1882,  when  it  was  put  with  Mon- 
trose. The  pastor  appointed  to  Montrose  in  1892  refused  to  serve 
the  outlying  appointments.    Rev.  J.  D.  Safford  served  this  point 


496 


Wyoming  Conference 


and  Alford  one  year,  and  was  followed  by  G.  B.  Rogers,  who 
continued  until  1897.  In  1894  East  Bridgewater  appears  among 
the  appointments,  the  charge  consisting  of  East  Bridgewater  and 
Alford.  In  1898  the  name  of  the  charge  was  changed  to  Alford, 
Heart  Lake  being  added  to  the  charge  this  year.  In  1899  the 
name  was  changed  to  Heart  Lake.  Kingsley  was  with  this 
charge  in  1898. 

Alford.  The  first  class  organized  here  was  in  1858  by  the  pastor 
of  Brooklyn  Circuit.  In  i860  the  appointee  to  the  circuit  refused 
to  serve  any  of  the  outlying  appointments  except  East  Bridge- 
water,  which  left  IMartin  Creek  (now  Foster),  Union  (now  West 
Nicholson)^  Aleshoppen  (now  Heart  Lake),  and  Montrose  Depot 
(now  Alford)  without  pastoral  oversight.  The  presiding  elder 
secured  Rev.  G.  B.  Rogers  to  care  for  these  places.  During  the 
winter  of  i860  and  1861  a  good  revival  work  added  to  the  class, 
until  it  numbered  thirty-five.  For  years  after  this  there  were 
occasional  services  only,  and  the  class  became  somewhat  scat- 
tered. In  1892  work  was  resumed  under  Rev.  J.  D.  Safford. 
Services  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse,  and  souls  were  added  to 
the  kingdom.  A  class  was  formed  with  C.  T.  Brown  as  leader. 
In  1893  there  were  still  other  additions  to  the  membership.  One 
evening  in  August,  1896,  the  presiding  elder,  during  the  service 
which  he  was  conducting,  suggested  that  a  church  ought  to  be 
erected.  It  pleased  the  people.  A  subscription  was  started,  and 
$200  was  subscribed  in  a  few  days.  The  lot  was  given  by  Messrs. 
Tififany  and  Cramer,  valued  at  $100.  The  foundation  was  laid 
by  men  of  the  neighborhood  free  of  charge.  On  October  16,  1896, 
the  corner  stone  was  laid  by  the  presiding  elder.  The  stone  was 
the  gift  of  Moses  Shields,  of  Nicholson,  and  was  valued  at  $25. 
It  contains  a  record  of  subscriptions,  history  of  the  church,  list 
of  members,  list  of  trustees,  history  of  the  Sunday  school,  a 
Discipline,  a  Northern  Christian  Advocate,  an  Independent  Re- 
publican, and  a  Montrose  Democrat.  The  contract  for  the  build- 
ing was  let  to  J.  A.  Whitman,  of  Lindaville,  for  $690.  While  the 
carpenters  were  at  work  Mrs.  Perry  Sweet  solicited  for  the  carpet, 
which  cost  $45  ;  Mrs.  C.  T.  Brown  solicited  for  the  chairs,  which 
cost  $25;  and  Mrs.  J.  S.  Marean  secured  money  for  the  bell, 
which  cost  $40.  Mr.  A.  S.  Minor,  of  Binghamton,  donated  two 
Rochester  lamps;  Mr.  ^I.  Xorton,  of  Scranton,  gave  the  pulpit 
Bible ;  and  Mr.  J.  W.  Guernsey,  of  Scranton,  gave  the  communion 
table.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  December  17,  1896,  by  Rev. 
L.  C.  Floyd,  Rev.  E.  B.  Olmstead  preaching  the  dedicatory  ser- 


Hickory  Grove,  Pa. 


497 


mon  from  Acts  ii,  39.  Revival  services  followed  which  resulted 
in  twenty  conversions.  In  1899  Mrs.  W.  H.  Tiffany  presented  the 
society  with  a  silver  communion  service.  The  trustees  at  the 
time  of  building  were  W.  H.  Tiffany,  J.  S.  Marean,  C.  T.  Brown, 
L.  F.  Van  Housen,  and  H.  Y.  Page. 

A  Sunday  school  has  been  maintained  at  this  place  quite  steadily 
since  1873,  and  with  good  results. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  in  1893,  and  has  been 
of  great  service  to  the  society  in  many  ways. 

Pastorates 

East  Bridgewater,  1892,  J.  D.  Safford;  1893-96,  G.  B.  Rogers; 
1897,  E.  Colwell;  Alford,  1898,  E.  Colwell ;  Heart  Lake,  1899- 
1900,  E.  E.  Barker;  1901-02,  R.  F.  Ruch;  1903,  H.  L.  Hubbard. 

Hickory  Grove,  Pa. 

The  early  days  of  this  charge  are  shrouded  in  obscurity.  It 
was  probably  with  Tioga  Circuit  in  the  beginning,  afterward  a 
part  of  Windsor  Circuit,  became  a  part  of  Conklin  Circuit  at  its 
formation,  and  was  a  part  of  Kirkwood  Circuit  in  1851,  again 
became  a  part  of  Conklin  Circuit,  and  about  i860  became  once 
more  a  part  of  Kirkwood  Circuit,  where  it  remained  until  Ran- 
dolph charge  was  organized.  Since  the  charge  was  formed  in 
1870  it  has  successively  been  known  as  Randolph,  Flowers,  Locust 
Hill,  and  Hickory  Grove.  The  parsonage  is  located  at  Hickory 
Grove.  About  one  and  one  half  miles  southwest  of  Hickory 
Grove  is  the  Locust  Hill  church.  Two  miles  west  from  the  Locust 
Hill  church  is  Beavans  appointment,  where  the  society  uses  the 
schoolhouse.  The  Edson  church  is  about  two  miles  west  of  the 
Beavans  schoolhouse,  and  about  two  miles  a  little  south  of  west 
is  the  Randolph  church. 

The  parsonage  was  bought  of  Mrs.  Hayte  in  the  spring  of  1901 
for  $400,  and  the  barn  was  built  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  For 
this  purpose  the  society  bought  an  abandoned  Advent  church, 
situated  near  Edson,  for  $25.  The  building  was  torn  down, 
moved,  and  made  into  the  barn  by  members  of  the  society 
making  bees. 

Locust  Hill.  The  church  was  erected  in  1875  at  a  cost  of  about 
$2,000.  Addison  Brush  gave  the  ground  for  church  and  sheds. 
The  church  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  H.  R.  Clarke,  D.D.  Calvin 
Brush  and  C.  B.  Dickson  were  among  the  first  trustees.  S.  L. 
Beavan  has  been  a  trustee  here  over  twenty  years. 

32 


498 


Wyoming  Conference 


Beavansville.  This  is  a  thrifty  schoolhouse  appointment,  and 
services  have  been  held  here  since  1870.  Among  the  early  mem- 
bers were  Thomas  Beavens,  Samuel  Howe  and  wife,  Cornelius 
Scouten,  WiUiam  Poole,  Mrs.  Saxby,  and  Nathan  Hawkins  and 
wife. 

Edson.  Work  was  begun  here  at  an  early  date,  and  known  in 
early  days  as  Bartonville  class.  We  give  the  list  of  members 
taken  from  the  class  book  of  Bartonville  class  of  1858:  Ashahel 
Stevens,  leader,  Polly  Stevens,  Hiram  Barton,  Eliza  A.  Barton, 
Julia  A.  Mayo,  Agnes  Hubbard,  George  Pulz,  Caroline  Spoor, 
William  Spoor,  Polly  Williams,  Samuel  Skinner,  Emily  Frost, 
Ephraim  Titus,  ^lehetabel  Titus,  Charles  and  Levina  Hufman, 
Chloe  Hawkins.  All  of  the  above  are  now  dead  except  Chloe 
Hawkins  (now  Mrs.  J.  S.  Pulz).  At  this  time  services  were 
held  in  the  evening  once  in  four  weeks,  and  the  class  formed  a 
part  of  Conklin  charge. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  donated  by  Eben  Hawkins  and 
Mrs.  H.  A.  Spoor,  each  giving  one  half.  The  building  committee 
consisted  of  H.  A.  Spoor,  Oscar  Barton,  Lewis  Stanmard,  Lewis 
Rude,  Adelbert  Mayo,  all  of  whom  are  trustees,  and  Rev.  J.  J. 
Henry.  The  building  cost  $1,150,  and  was  dedicated  on  March 
20,  1902,  by  the  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd. 

Services  are  held  at  this  station  now  once  in  two  weeks 
at  2  p.  M. 

Randolph  receives  its  name  from  being  a  part  of  the  Randolph 
patent  on  the  original  survey.  When  a  post  office  was  established 
here  a  few  years  ago  it  was  called  Flowers.  The  office  has  been 
discontinued.  The  first  sermon  preached  here  was  by  the  Rev. 
David  Dunham,  who  was  at  the  time  on  Tioga  Circuit,  who 
preached  in  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Jewell,  in  1799,  from  Rev.  vii,  17. 
A  class  was  formed  soon  afterward,  consisting  of  Mrs.  Mollie 
Andrews,  wife  of  Levi  Andrews,  Reuben  Stevens  and  wife, 
Frederick  Goodell  and  his  wife  Rhoda,  and  their  son  William. 
Reuben  Stevens  was  appointed  leader.  During  the  next  forty-five 
years  we  know  Httle  or  nothing  of  Methodism  in  this  place.  In 
1845  ^  class  was  organized  with  Axel  Stevens  leader,  R.  S.  Rose 
and  Henry  Pelham  being  the  preachers  in  charge. 

The  church  was  built  in  1866,  and  dedicated  by  Rev.  Zechariah 
Paddock,  Levi  A.  Williams,  James  W.  Bell,  and  Luman  D.  Judd 
being  the  trustees.  The  building  is  owned  jointly  and  equally  by 
the  Methodist  Episcopalians  and  Wesleyan  Methodists.  Mr.  W. 
Burt  Bell  was  the  recording  steward  from  1883  to  1895. 


KiRKWOOD,  N.  Y. 


499 


Pastorates 

1870,  E.  Ketcham;  1871-72,  L.  F.  Ketcham;  1873-74,  C.  H. 

Jewell;  1875,  G.  W.  Christian;  1^76-77,  W.  F.  Boyce;  1878,  ; 

1879,  H.  H.  Williams;  1880,  E.  B.  Meaker;  1881-82,  D.  Malpass; 
1883-84,  W.  H.  Stang;  1885-86,  T.  Burgess;  1887-89,  W.  M. 
Shaw;  1890-91,  E.  F.  Lyon;  1892-93,  A.  O.  Williams;  1894-95, 
S.  A.  Luce  (in  1895  called  Flowers);  1896,  D.  F.  Unangst; 
1897-98,  W.  F.  Boyce  (in  1898  called  Locust  Hill)  ;  1899- 1902, 
J.  J.  Henry  (in  1902  called  Hickory  Grove)  ;  1903,  William 
Rawlings. 

KiRKWOOD,  N.  Y. 

The  territory  of  Kirkwood  charge  received  its  first  regular 
pastoral  oversight  from  the  preachers  on  Windsor  Circuit.  How- 
ever, it  is  claimed  that  prior  to  1803  a  class  was  organized  here 
consisting  of  Asa  Rood  and  wife,  Peter  Wentz  and  wife,  Clara 
Mapes,  and  Thomas  Gray. 

While  George  Lane  was  teaching  school  in  1803  he  experienced 
religion.  He  left  school  for  a  few  days.  On  his  return  he  told 
his  scholars  of  his  experience,  exhorted  them  and  prayed  with 
them.  A  great  revival  broke  out  at  once.  The  schoolhouse  in 
which  Mr.  Lane  taught  was  near  the  present  village  of  Kirkwood. 

The  Kirkwood  class  was  organized  in  185 1.  It  was  formed  to 
take  the  place  of  the  Michigan  class,  which  was  abandoned  and 
absorbed  by  the  Kirkwood  class.  Kirkwood  at  this  time  formed 
a  part  of  Conklin  Circuit,  where  it  remained  until  the  Kirkwood 
charge  was  organized. 

The  church  was  erected  in  i860,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  It  has 
been  twice  repaired,  enlarging  and  beautifying  the  building.  The 
parsonage  was  built  in  1870. 

A  great  revival  was  experienced  in  the  winter  of  1891-92. 

Riverside.  This  appointment  was  known  for  many  years  as 
Conklin,  and  was  the  head  of  the  old  Conklin  Circuit.  The  class 
was  organized  about  1838.  Services  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse. 
In  1844  ^  church  was  built  on  a  piece  of  ground  donated  by 
William  A.  Conklin.  The  society  was  incorporated  on  February 
15,  1845,  with  William  Conklin,  Alexander  Brown,  Joseph  Conk- 
lin, Tobias  Van  Buren,  William  Brown,  William  Broadfoot,  and 
Alvin  Conklin  trustees.  At  that  time  there  was  no  Methodist 
church  nearer  than  Windsor  or  Bihghamton.  In  1849  the  society, 
with  others,  was  taken  from  the  Windsor  Circuit  and  formed  into 
Conklin  Circuit.   A  parsonage  was  built  that  year.    In  1851  the 


500 


Wyoming  Conference 


circuit  comprised  the  following :  Conklin,  Locust  Hill,  East  Ran- 
dolph, Randolph  Center,  Grigg's  Corners,  Hazardville,  Barton 
settlement,  and  Kirkwood.  When  the  Kirkwood  church  was 
built  in  i860  it  was  thought  best  to  change  the  name  of  the  circuit 
to  Kirkwood,  which  was  done  in  1861.  The  pastor,  however,  con- 
tinued to  live  at  Conklin  until  a  parsonage  was  built  at  Kirkwood 
in  1870,  after  which  the  Conklin  house  was  rented.  In  1872 
Conklin  was  taken  from  Kirkwood  and  added  to  Great  Bend, 
where  it  continued  until  1876  or  1877,  when  the  church  was  sold 
to  the  Christians,  and  the  proceeds  divided  between  Great  Bend 
and  Kirkwood. 

It  is  evident  that  Methodism  did  not  die  at  Conklin,  though 
greatly  weakened.  On  February  11,  1880,  the  society  was  in- 
corporated with  Thomas  Conklin,  William  Brown,  Tobias  Van 
Buren,  Simon  K.  Wilsey,  and  John  Van  Auken  trustees. 

Questions :  Was  the  society  anticipating  the  erection  of  an- 
other church?  And  was  it  for  this  that  this  incorporation  took 
place?  And  what  had  become  of  the  first?  In  1895  the  society 
bought  back  the  old  church  for  $500,  and  rededicated  it  with 
proper  services. 

Pastorates 

1849  (Conklin,  1849-60),  C.  V.  Arnold;  1850-51,  N.  S.  De 
Witt;  1852,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1853,  A.  C.  Sperry,  W.  B.  Thomas; 
1854-55,  A.  F.  Harding;  1856,  E.  B.  Tenny;  1857-58,  W.  Round; 
1859-60,  J.  M.  Grimes;  1861-62  (Kirkwood,  1861  to  date),  P. 
Holbrook;  1863-64,  A.  Brigham;  1865-67,  Levi  Pitts;  1868,  E. 
Sibley;  1869-71,  J.  N.  Lee;  1872-73,  D.  Personeus;  1874-75,  T. 
Burgess;  1876-77,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1878-80,  W.  B.  Kinney;  1881-82, 
C.  V.  Arnold;  1883-85,  J.  H.  Weston;  1886-88,  H.  G.  Blair; 
1889-90,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1891-92,  J.  S.  Crompton ;  1893-95,  J.  B. 
Wilson;  1896,  J.  M.  Correll;  1897-99,  C.  P.  Tiffany;  1900,  M.  L. 
Andariese;  1901,  W.  M.  Shaw;  1902-03,  W.  D.  Lathrop. 

Lestershire,  N.  Y. 

This  society  was  chartered  on  January  31,  1889,  under  the 
corporate  name  of  'The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Lester- 
shire," with  the  following  trustees :  H.  R.  Clarke,  E.  B.  Green, 
C.  F.  Johnson,  W.  M.  Fletcher,  A.  D.  Rockwell,  Law  S.  Brooks, 
and  George  Johnson.  Mr.  G.  H.  Lester  gave  the  society  two 
lots  on  Main  Street,  valued  at  $1,500.  In  1890  L.  B.  Weeks  was 
appointed  pastor  of  Clinton  Street  and  Lestershire.  He  arranged 
to  hold  services  at  Clinton  Street  morning  and  evening,  and  in 


Lestershire,  N.  Y. 


501 


Lestershire  at  12:30.  Of  the  $900  salary  promised,  Lestershire 
was  to  pay  one  third.  On  April  20  the  first  service  was  held  in 
the  packing  room  of  the  Lestershire  Boot  and  Shoe  Factory,  the 
second  at  the  house  of  G.  F.  Johnson,  and  the  third  in  a  storehouse 
near  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western  Railroad.  At  this 
meeting  it  was  decided  that  steps  must  be  taken  to  secure  a 
permanent  place  of  worship,  and  a  temporary  building  was  pro- 
posed. During  the  week  a  temporary  building  was  erected,  and 
the  following  Sunday  services  were  held  in  it.  Dr.  H.  R.  Clarke 
assisted  in  these  services.    Five  hundred  dollars,  the  cost  of  the 


LESTERSHIRE  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


building,  including  organ  and  furniture,  was  soon  raised.  At 
this  time  the  society  numbered  ten,  and  the  next  spring  it  num- 
bered thirty-three. 

In  1 89 1  plans  for  a  new  church  were  adopted,  and  work  begun 
on  May  14.  The  excavating  was  done  by  W.  D.  Roberts,  founda- 
tion laid  by  E.  Telleson,  and  the  superstructure  put  up  by  G.  M. 
Horton.  The  building  committee  consisted  of  N.  B.  Russell,  C.  F. 
Johnson,  and  Rev.  H.  H.  Wilbur.  The  church,  furnishings,  and 
sheds  cost  $5,296.64.  Dedicatory  services  were  held  on  Tuesday, 
January  5,  1892.  Rev.  C.  C.  McCabe,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  after- 
noon, from  Exod.  xxv,  8,  and  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  in  the 
evening,  from  Acts  i,  8.  Dr.  Hard  managed  the  finances.  An 
indebtedness  of  $2,000  was  to  be  carried;  $1,505.60  had  already 


502 


Wyoming  Conference 


been  provided  for,  and  $1,791.04  was  needed.  During  the  day 
$2,220  v/as  subscribed. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  had  paid  the  rental  of  the  parsonage 
during  the  year,  furnished  it,  and  on  the  day  of  dedication  gave 
the  trustees  their  check  for  $500. 

The  girls'  society,  "Willing  Workers,"  bought  the  pulpit  chairs, 
and  afterward  purchased  the  altar  table  and  a  communion  set. 

A  good  revival  work  followed,  and  at  the  end  of  this  year  the 
society  had  eighty-two  members  and  thirty-five  probationers. 

The  parsonage,  built  1894,  has  few  superiors  in  the  Conference. 

Pastorates 

1890,  Clinton  Street  and  Lestershire,  L.  B.  Weeks ;  Lestershire 
alone,  1891-93,  H.  H.  Wilbur;  1894-96,  W.  J.  Hill;  1897-1900, 
H.  M.  Crydenwise ;  1901-03,  L.  B.  Weeks. 

Maine,  N.  Y. 

The  territory  embraced  in  this  charge  was  formerly  a  part  of 
the  old  Union  Circuit.  However,  work  was  done  here  some  years 
before  the  formation  of  Union  Circuit,  probably  by  the  preachers 
from  Pike  Circuit.  A  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  George 
Rexford  on  April  12,  1833,  at  which  time  the  society  was  first 
incorporated.  Revs.  S.  Stocking  and  Rosman  Ingalls  presided, 
and  Elijah  Bancroft,  James  Howard,  Gardner  J.  Bowers,  James 
Bratt,  John  R.  Durfey,  and  Norman  Smith  were  elected  trustees. 
According  to  the  Minutes,  S.  H.  Stocking  served  Pike  Circuit 
this  year.  While  this  claim  is  made  by  good  authority,  it 
is  difficult  to  see  how  the  preachers  from  Pike  Circuit  could 
give  this  section  any  attention.  (See  index  for  Pike  Circuit.) 
We  have  been  unable  to  find  anything  concerning  this  cir- 
cuit, other  than  the  appointees  to  it.  The  above  is  valuable,  as 
it  is  evidence  showing  that  Methodism  had  taken  root  here  in 
1833.  Meetings  were  held  in  a  schoolhouse  in  the  center  of  the 
village.  Severe  opposition  from  the  Baptists  and  Congregation- 
alists  closed  the  doors  of  this  schoolhouse  to  them,  and  they  were 
compelled  to  go  to  a  schoolhouse  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile 
below  the  village,  in  what  is  known  as  the  Curtis  neighborhood, 
where  meetings  were  held  several  years.  A  revival  in  1845 
strengthened  the  class  considerably.  On  August  19,  1845,  a  meet- 
ing was  held  in  Maine  village,  and  the  society  again  incorporated 
with  the  corporate  title  of  'The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Maine  Village,"  with  Ebenezer  Allen,  Gardner  S.  Bowers, 
Henry  C.  Howard,  James  M.  Howard,  and  Orange  H.  Arnold  as 


Maine,  N.  Y. 


503 


trustees.  In  1848,  Mr.  William  Lincoln,  a  prominent  merchant  in 
the  town,  though  not  a  Christian,  gave  the  site  for  a  church  and 
contributed  $roo  toward  building  the  church.  The  effort  and 
sacrifice  which  the  erection  of  this  church  demanded  may  be  seen 
from  the  fact  that  when  the  frame  was  up  it  stood  about  a  year 
before  it  was  inclosed,  and  after  inclosure  another  year  passed 
before  the  building  was  finished.  The  building,  which  cost  about 
$2,000,  was  dedicated  on  October  17,  1850,  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Snyder. 
On  September  30,  1851,  the  society  again  met  to  incorporate. 
James  M.  Howard  and  Nathan  Legg  presided.  The  corporate 
title  is  the  same  as  before,  and  Amos  C.  Payne,  George  M.  Har- 
dendorf,  James  M.  Howard,  Orange  H.  Arnold,  Isaac  Holden, 
James  Briggs,  John  H.  Brooks,  Orwin  Carley,  and  Nathan  Legg 
were  elected  trustees.  This  charter  being  considered  extinct,  the 
society  met  on  April  16,  1866,  and  again  incorporated,  with  Russel 
Dodge,  James  Howard,  Daniel  Dudley,  C.  Cleveland,  and  Henry 
Turner  as  trustees.  On  December  19,  1877,  after  $1,300  had  been 
expended  in  repairs,  the  church  was  reopened.  Rev.  I.  T.  Walker 
preaching  in  the  morning,  from  "What  think  ye  of  Christ?"  and 
Rev.  W.  Bixby  in  the  evening,  from  "I  am  the  light  of  the  world." 

We  are  unable  to  state  when  the  first  parsonage  was  built,  but 
in  1886  the  old  property  was  sold  and  the  present  parsonage 
property  bought.  In  the  purchase  a  debt  was  incurred  which 
consumed  several  years  in  paying. 

On  November  15,  1895,  a  fiftieth  anniversary  service  was  held, 
at  which  Rev.  J.  H.  Race  preached  at  2  p.  m.,  and  Rev.  J.  O. 
Woodruff  in  the  evening.  This  occasion  was  made  notable  by 
the  burning  of  the  $750  mortgage  against  the  parsonage. 

When  Maine  charge  was  first  formed  it  had  three  out-appoint- 
ments— North  Maine,  Lamb's  Corners,  and  the  Councilman 
neighborhood.  These  are  now  known  as  Tiona,  Nanticoke,  and 
Glen  Aubrey.   Ketchumville  has  been  added  in  recent  years. 

North  Maine  is  situated  four  miles  northwest  of  Maine  village, 
and  Methodism  is  about  as  old  here  as  in  the  village,  services 
having  been  commenced  here  about  1835.  The  schoolhouse  was 
used  for  church  work  over  thirty-five  years.  In  1844  the  class 
had  thirteen  members.  Among  the  members  at  this  time  were 
Marsena  H.  Mclntyre,  Orange  H.  Arnold,  Russell  Robinson,  and 
George  M.  Hardendorf.  A  meeting  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse 
on  January  15,  1869,  at  which  Rev.  T.  Burgess  presided  and 
H.  W.  Slosson  acted  as  clerk.  The  society  was  incorporated  as 
"The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  North  Maine,"  and 


504 


Wyoming  Conference 


William  H.  Ashley,  Charles  C.  Smith,  James  Eckerson,  George 
M.  Hardendorf,  and  John  Pier  were  elected  trustees.  The  site 
for  the  church  was  given  by  Adoniram  Church,  the  son  of  a 
Baptist  preacher.  The  architect  of  the  church  was  Gififord  Har- 
dendorf. The  building  cost  $2,800,  and  was  dedicated  on  March 
8,  1871,  by  Dr.  D.  W.  Bristol,  Rev.  William  Searls  preaching  the 
dedicatory  sermon  at  1 1  a.  m.  It  is  claimed  that  the  spirit  of  the 
church  was  so  strong  and  vigorous  for  many  years  that  sinners 
had  either  to  submit  to  God  or  move  out  of  the  neighborhood. 

Glen  Aubrey  is  situated  about  five  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of 
Maine  village.  A  class  was  organized  here  about  1842  which 
used  the  schoolhouse  until  the  church  was  built.  The  society  was 
incorporated  on  March  18,  1867,  as  "The  Glen  Aubrey  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,"  with  Hiram  J.  Dietz,  Abraham  P.  Hawver, 
Nelson  A.  Simpkins,  Lorenzo  D.  Tanner,  and  Horace  Walker 
trustees.  John  C.  Couse  presented  the  society  with  a  lot  upon 
which  the  church  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  It  was  dedicated 
on  Thursday,  March  19,  1868,  at  10:30,  by  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives.  The 
moving  spirit  in  the  enterprise  was  Hiram  J.  Dietz. 

Nanticoke  is  situated  six  miles  north  of  Maine  village,  and 
became  a  preaching  place  for  the  Methodists  about  1846.  About 
1850  Mr.  John  H.  Brooks,  a  brother  of  Rev.  Asa  Brooks,  became 
interested  in  this  community,  organized  a  Sunday  school,  and 
became  its  superintendent.  Through  his  efforts  a  revival  broke 
out  in  the  Sunday  school.  He  called  in  the  aid  of  his  pastor.  Rev. 
J.  M.  Grimes,  who  at  once  began  a  series  of  revival  services  which 
resulted  in  nearly  one  hundred  conversions.  This  was  virtually 
the  establishing  of  the  Methodist  and  Baptist  churches  in  this 
place.  On  December  12,  1851,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  house 
of  Archibald  Hartwell,  when  the  society  was  incorporated,  with 
Levi  Hartwell,  Correlli  Cady,  Lorano  Gates,  Thomas  Gary, 
Gaviah  P.  Spencer,  Harvey  Baird,  and  Morgan  Spencer  as  trus- 
tees. A  lot  was  purchased  of  Thomas  Lamb  for  $50,  upon  which 
the  church  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,000.  It  was  dedicated  in 
1852  by  Rev.  Z.  Paddock,  D.D.  In  1869  the  building  was  thor- 
oughly repaired  at  a  cost  of  $1,000.  It  was  reopened  on  October 
14,  1869,  Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
W.  H.  Olin  in  the  evening.  During  the  day  $832  was  raised,  the 
balance  having  been  previously  raised. 

In  1875  this  point  was  made  a  Conference  appointment,  with 
Ketchumville,  East  Berkshire,  Japhet  Hollow,  and  Cadwell  settle- 
ment as  out-appointments,  and  was  served  as  follows ;   C.  Sweet, 


Montrose,  Pa. 


505 


S.  W.  Cole,  A.  Brigham,  and  L.  B.  Weeks.  In  1879  it  again  be- 
came a  part  of  Maine  Circuit. 

Ketchiimville  is  six  miles  northwest  of  Maine  village.  Work 
commenced  here  as  early  as  1840,  but  seems  to  have  subsided.  In 
1886  or  1887  the  Maine  pastor  began  working  at  the  place,  and 
organized  a  class.  About  this  time  the  Salvation  Army  visited  the 
place,  and  their  labors  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  a  number  of 
persons,  among  them  Rev.  C.  E.  Sweet,  of  this  Conference.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  December  12,  1888,  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard, 
D.D.,  preaching  at  10:30  a.  m.,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Harroun  at 
7  p.  M. 

Pastorates 

1854-55,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1856,  P.  G.  Bridgeman;  1857-58,  S.  G. 
Stevens;  1859,  P-  G.  Bridgeman;  1860-61,  F.  L.  Hiller;  1862, 
P.  S.  Worden;  1863-65,  A.  W.  Loomis;  1866-67,  E.  Sibley;  1868- 
70,  T.  Burgess;  1871,  J.  A.  Wood;  1872-74,  J.  N.  Lee;  1875-76, 
A.  Brooks;  1877-79,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1880-82,  C.  D.  Shepard ;  1883- 
85,  G.  O.  Beers;  1886-87,  J.  R.  Wagner;  1888-91,  G.  L.  Williams; 
1892-96,  E.  P.  Eldridge;  1897,  J.  R.  Angel;  1898-1902,  C.  C. 
Vrooman ;  1903,  S.  E.  Hunt. 

Montrose,  Pa. 

Just  when  Methodism  began  to  take  root  in  this  soil  is  uncer- 
tain. Montrose  was  taken  from  the  Bridgewater  Circuit  in  1841. 
Though  Bridgewater  Circuit  was  formed  in  181 3,  a  number  of 
years  passed  before  work  was  organized  in  Montrose.  The  fact 
is,  Montrose,  and  the  surrounding  territory,  was  preoccupied,  and 
not  favorable  to  the  growth  of  Methodism.  The  class  was  or- 
ganized in  1 84 1  by  uniting  two  classes,  one  from  South  Montrose 
and  one  which  had  met  in  a  schoolhouse  about  one  mile  and  a 
half  northeast  of  the  village,  which  stood  near  the  spot  later 
occupied  by  Mott's  factory.  The  society  was  soon  chartered  with 
the  corporate  name  of  "The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  the 
Borough  of  Montrose."  The  most  prominent  members  of  the 
new  society  were  Timothy  D.  Shay,  Simeon  Lewis,  Joseph  R. 
Lewis,  George  H.  Crocker,  Jacob  Tewksbury,  and  their  wives, 
George  Lewis,  and  Ariel  Vaughn.  They  worshiped  in  the  old 
courthouse,  where  they  had  preaching  and  class  meeting  biweekly, 
holding  the  prayer  meetings  in  private  houses.  "The  Methodists 
held  their  services  at  10:30  a.  m.  and  the  UniversaHsts  at  i  p.  m., 
and  frequently  the  latter  would  come  in  and  ring  the  bell  for  their 
worship  before  the  former  were  through  with  class." 


5o6 


Wyoming  Conference 


At  the  formation  of  this  circuit  it  included  the  following  ap- 
pointments:  Montrose,  Miller  Hill,  Franklin,  J.  Hancock's,  B. 
Shay's,  M.  Hall's,  2^1.  ]\IcKeeby's,  Liberty,  Conklin,  Great  Bend, 
and  New  jMilford.  In  1847  the  circuit  had  fourteen  preaching 
places,  and  in  1849  it  included  Fairdale,  Franklin  Forks,  Heart 
Lake,  New  IMilford,  Great  Bend,  and  four  appointments  now  in 
Kirkwood  and  Hawleyton  charges.  This  last  statement  is  from 
Rev.  G.  W.  Leach.  Six  thriving  charges  have  been  carved  out  of 
the  Montrose  Circuit. 

The  society  continued  to  worship  in  the  courthouse  until  going 


MONTROSE  CHURCH 


into  the  church  in  1845.  1843  the  society  met  on  November  i 
to  consider  the  propriety  of  building  a  church.  At  this  meeting 
a  building  committee,  consisting  of  Simeon  Lewis,  George  H. 
Crocker,  Jacob  Tewksbury,  and  a  committee,  consisting  of  John 
Comfort,  Urbane  Burrows,  Simeon  Lewis,  George  H.  Crocker, 
Jacob  Tewksbury,  A.  Vaughn,  and  Rev.  John  Bos  well,  to  locate 
a  site  and  determine  the  size  of  building,  were  appointed.  The 
committee  settled  upon  a  building  38x50  feet,  and  a  lot  on  the 
public  ground  above  the  L^niversalist  church,  if  it  could  be  ob- 
tained. It  was  also  decided  to  build  a  charch  without  a  steeple, 
that  the  building  should  have  two  outside  doors,  and  six  windows 
on  each  side.  The  society  could  not  secure  the  site  at  first  se- 
lected.   The  Hon.  William  Jessup  donated  a  lot  upon  which  the 


Montrose,  Pa. 


507 


building  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  It  was  dedicated  on 
November  26,  1845,  by  the  presiding  elder,  Rev.  J.  M.  Snyder. 
After  going  into  the  new  church  services  were  held  once  a 
Sabbath,  and  continued  after  this  plan  about  twenty  years.  The 
building  was  generally  repaired  in  1857,  and  reopened  on  Thurs- 
day, December  10,  1857,  11  a.  m.  Dr.  Thomas  Bowman 
preached,  and  Revs.  George  Landon  and  H.  H.  Jessup,  a  mission- 
ary, preached  in  the  afternoon  and  evening.  The  class,  though 
small,  grew  slowly,  against  opposition.  In  1865  the  newly  ap- 
pointed pastor  began  holding  services  twice  on  the  Sabbath.  At 
the  session  of  Conference  in  1866  the  outside  appointments  were 
detached,  and  the  work  at  Montrose  started  on  an  independent 
basis.  The  membership  at  this  time  was  ninety-two.  In  the  fall 
of  1872  the  society  was  visited  by  a  gracious  revival  "stirring  the 
entire  community  as  with  a  mighty  earthquake."  Hundreds  were 
converted,  and  among  the  number  some  of  the  most  substantial 
citizens.  While  the  various  churches  in  the  town  were  enriched, 
the  Methodist  church  found  itself  suddenly  lifted  into  a  strong 
and  vigorous  society.  The  membership  at  the  beginning  of  this 
Conference  year  was  ninety-four,  and  at  its  close  three  hundred 
and  twenty-nine.  This  rendered  necessary  better  church  accom- 
modations. Either  the  old  church  must  be  enlarged  or  a  new  one 
built.  The  society  chose  the  latter.  In  August,  1873,  the  old 
church  was  removed,  and  the  foundation  for  the  new  church  laid. 
The  new  building  was  27x45  feet,  with  a  transept  32x36  feet. 
E.  L.  Weeks,  J.  D.  Goodwin,  and  S.  F.  Lane  constituted  the  build- 
ing committee.  E.  L.  Weeks  was  made  general  superintendent, 
he  hiring  the  help  as  needed.  The  financial  depression  of  1873 
rendered  worthless  $2,000  of  $9,000  which  had  been  secured  in 
subscriptions  before  the  work  was  begun.  The  financial  de- 
pression caused  the  work  to  move  slowly.  In  August,  1874,  a 
contract  was  made  with  W.  J.  Gordon  to  complete  the  work,  ex- 
cept slating,  for  $4,850  and  the  material  on  hand.  In  November  a 
windstorm  destroyed  the  nearly  finished  spire,  causing  a  loss  of 
about  $1,000.  The  contract  price  being  too  low,  the  committee 
found  it  necessary  to  spend  $2,000  more  to  secure  the  completion 
of  the  building.  The  ladies  of  the  church  and  congregation  pro- 
vided the  furnishings.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  Sunday, 
May  16,  1875,  Bishop  E.  G.  Andrews  preaching  in  the  morning 
and  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  in  the  evening  and  managing  the  finances. 
The  building  cost  $17,000.  While  enough  subscriptions  were 
secured  on  the  day  of  dedication  to  cover  all  demands,  the  strin- 
gency of  the  times  was  such  that  after  all  available  subscriptions 


5o8 


Wyoming  Conference 


had  been  paid  the  society  found  itself  about  $6,000  in  debt.  In 
1880  by  determined  effort  $3,500  was  raised,  which,  with  what 
had  previously  been  paid,  left  the  indebtedness  $1,500.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1886,  $1,100  was  raised  to  liquidate  the  debt.  Of  this 
amount  Mr.  Clement  R.  Woodin  gave  $600.  In  1902  $900  was 
expended  in  new  furnaces,  painting,  and  frescoing  the  walls. 

In  the  spring  of  1899  the  pastor  in  a  week  of  vigorous  work 
raised  $3,600  to  provide  for  an  indebtedness  caused  by  building 
the  parsonage  and  accumulated  incidentals. 

In  1901  the  pastor  made  application  to  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie 


MONTROSE  PARSONAGE 


for  a  pipe  organ.  The  application  was  granted,  and  in  1903  an 
organ  was  purchased  costing  $1,500,  of  which  Mr.  Carnegie  paid 
one  half. 

February  19,  1902,  was  a  notable  day  in  the  history  of  the 
church.  Thirty-three  hundred  dollars  had  been  spent  in  remodel- 
ing the  church,  inclined  bowling  floor,  new  pews,  choice  win- 
dows, church  repainted  and  frescoed,  and  some  improvements 
made  in  the  parsonage.  At  the  reopening  notes  and  mortgages 
amounting  to  $3,700  were  burned,  so  that  the  church  was  re- 
dedicated  without  debt.  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D.,  preached  in 
the  afternoon  and  Bishop  Andrews  in  the  evening. 


New  Milford,  Pa. 


509 


The  old  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1856.  In  1894  this  house 
was  moA^ed  onto  a  lot,  which  the  society  bought  for  that  purpose, 
just  below  the  church.  It  was  repaired  and  painted,  and  is  now 
used  by  the  sexton.  The  present  commodious  parsonage  was 
built  on  the  old  site  at  a  cost  of  $2,800. 

While  most  of  the  pastorates  have  witnessed  accessions  to  the 
church,  the  years  of  1875  and  1886  were  years  of  more  than 
ordinary  interest,  large  numbers  being  converted. 

In  later  years  East  Bridgewater  was  served  by  the  Montrose 
pastor. 

Pastorates 

Prior  to  1841  on  Bridgewater  Circuit.  1841-42,  E.  B.  Tenny, 
George  C.  Thompson;  1843-44,  J.  R.  Boswell;  1845-46,  W. 
Round;  1847,  A.  Brooks,  D.  Torry;  1848,  D.  Torry,  G.  P.  Porter; 
1849,  E.  B.  Tenny,  G.  W.  Leach;  1850-51,  John  Mulkey;  1852-53, 
P.  Bartlett;  1854,  J.  Whitham,  J.  H.  Cargill;  1855-56,  S.  S. 
Barter;  1857-58,  B.  B.  Emery;  1859-60,  J.  K.  Peck;  1861-62,  R. 
Van  Valkenburg;  1863-64,  A.  Schoonmaker;  1865-67,  L.  Peck; 
1868,  J.  L.  Legg;  1869-70,  King  Elwell;  1871-72,  A.  D.  Alex- 
ander; 1873,  W.  J.  Judd;  1874-76,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1877,  L.  Cole; 
1878,  W.  B.  Westlake;  1879-81,  H.  H.  Dresser;  1882-84,  T. 
Harroun;  1885-87,  H.  C.  McDermott;  1888-89,  J.  N.  Lee;  1890- 
91,  E.  L.  Santee;  1892-93,  P.  R.  Hawxhurst;  1894,  J.  F.  Jones; 
1895-97,  I.  N.  Shipman;  1898-1901,  H.  B.  Benedict;  1902,  A.  W. 
Cooper;  1903,  F.  W.  Young. 

New  Milford,  Pa. 

Methodism  early  took  root  in  this  place.  Meetings  were  held 
in  dwellings  and  in  the  "East  Woods"  shortly  after  the  settle- 
ment of  the  place.  Enoch  Smith  is  said  to  have  been  a  class 
leader  here  from  1827  to  1840.  Services  were  frequently  held  in 
the  houses  of  Captain  Dean  and  Benjamin  Hayden,  who  were 
class  leaders  in  the  forties.  The  class  grew  slowly.  While  in 
the  earlier  days  preaching  services  were  irregular,  prayer  meet- 
ings were  sustained  with  much  earnestness.  Nathaniel  Lewis,  a 
local  preacher  of  note,  did  some  work  here  in  1827  and  1828. 
Preachers  from  Wyoming,  Bridgewater,  or  Brooklyn  Circuits 
were  probably  among  the  first  to  enter  this  field.  This  point  was 
with  Montrose  in  1841  and  until  made  a  charge. 

On  November  18,  1848,  the  members  of  the  society  met  for  the 
purpose  of  electing  trustees  and  to  plan  for  building  a  church. 
Thomas  Dean,  Jared  Beardsley,  Joshua  Phinney,  Solomon  R. 


510 


Wyoming  Conference 


Williams,  Enoch  Smith,  Amos  M.  Brant,  Dennis  McKeeby,  James 
B.  Warner,  and  Reuben  Hatch  were  elected  trustees.  After  dis- 
cussing various  plans  it  was  finally  decided  to  build  a  church 
38x53  feet,  and  on  January  22,  1849,  the  contract  was  let  to 
Simeon  Lewis  for  $1,500.  Meanwhile  a  suitable  lot  had  been 
secured,  at  the  foot  of  the  Duga  Hill,  where  the  Jackson  road 
enters  the  town,  the  deed  for  which  was  given  by  William  C. 
Ward  and  wife  on  January  15,  1849,  a  donation  to  the  church. 
The  society  received  its  charter  on  April  20,  1849.  The  church 
was  dedicated  on  December  25,  1849.  ^^y-  Cj.  Peck,  D.D., 
preached  at  11  a.  m.,  and  Rev.  Z.  Paddock,  D.D.,  in  the  afternoon, 
the  presiding  elder,  D.  A.  Shepard,  having  charge  of  the  services. 
The  building  and  furnishings  had  cost  about  $1,700,  and  $400  was 
raised  to  complete  the  amount  of  funds  needed  in  about  forty 
minutes'  intermission  between  sermons.  A  Mr.  Pratt,  not  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church,  trimmed  the  pulpit  and  gave  the  Bible.  Mr. 
Wright,  another  friend  outside  the  church,  after  subscribing 
liberally,  put  a  one-thousand-pound  bell  into  the  belfry,  and  gave 
the  society  ample  time  to  pay  for  it. 

About  1880  the  plot  of  ground  now  occupied  was  bought  of 
Mrs.  Ellen  B.  Whitlock  for  $650,  $50  of  which  she  donated  to  the 
church.  A  parsonage  was  built,  and  in  1886  the  church  was 
moved  to  the  lot  beside  the  parsonage,  a  spacious  basement  put 
under  it,  and  several  minor  improvements  made,  all  at  a  cost 
of  $1,100. 

East  New  Milford.  Meetings  were  held  in  a  Good  Templars' 
hall  for  some  time,  and  subsequently  in  the  schoolhouse,  the 
services  here  being  held  in  the  afternoon.  The  corner  stone  for 
the  church  was  laid  on  Friday,  May  4,  1883,  by  the  presiding 
elder,  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  P.  Hol- 
brook.  The  ritual  was  read  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Wagner  and  addresses 
were  made  by  Revs.  J.  G.  Eckman,  P.  Holbrook,  J.  R.  Wagner, 
H.  S.  Parker,  and  S.  Green.  The  church  was  dedicated  on 
Thursday,  November  15,  1883.  The  morning  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman,  after  which  $500  was  raised  to  finish  the 
$2,000  which  the  building  had  cost.  Several  members  of  the  Con- 
ference were  present.  Thursday  evening  Rev.  C.  V.  Arnold 
preached.  On  Friday  sermons  were  delivered  by  Rev.  A.  Brooks 
in  the  forenoon.  Rev.  P.  Holbrook  in  the  afternoon,  and  Rev.  J. 
Brown,  a  Freewill  Baptist,  in  the  evening.  Saturday  morning 
Rev.  J.  A.  Ropeel,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  preached, 
in  the  afternoon  Rev.  H.  S.  Parker,  and  in  the  evening  Rev. 


Newton,  Pa. 


Thomas  Harroun.  Sunday  closed  the  feast  of  dedication.  Love 
feast  was  led  by  a  Brother  Harrison,  sermon  by  Rev.  Thomas 
Harroun,  followed  by  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  The 
afternoon  sermon  was  by  Rev.  George  Forsyth,  and  the  evening 
sermon  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Wagner.  The  dedicatory  services  were  fol- 
lowed by  a  series  of  revival  services. 

Pastorates 

From  1841-54  with  Montrose;  1855-56  (New  Milford  and 
Great  Bend),  H.  R.  Clarke;  1857  (Great  Bend  and  New  Milford, 
the  two  places  continuing  together  until  the  spring  of  1869),  W. 
Silsbee;  1858,  L.  Peck;  1859-60,  H.  Wheeler;  1861,  S.  S.  Barter; 
1862,  G.  A.  Severson;  1863-64,  P.  Bartlett;  1865-66,  S.  Elwell; 
1867-68,  A.  F.  Harding;  1869-70,  R.  J.  Kellogg;  1871,  L  S. 
Thompson;  1872,  A.  Brooks;  1873-74,  O.  M.  Martin;  1875,  J.  W. 
Hewitt;  1876,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1877-79,  J-  H.  Weston;  1880-81, 
J.  L.  Wells;  1882-84,  J.  L.  Race;  1885-87,  J.  F.  Warner;  1888-91, 
J.  R.  Wagner;  1892,  E.  L.  Santee;  1893-94,  J.  Underwood;  1895, 
W.  L.  Linnaberry;  1896-98,  C.  W.  Babcock;  1899-1902,  Charles 
Smith;  1903,  H.  D.  Smith. 

Newton,  Pa. 

This  circuit  was  taken  from  the  Abington  Circuit  at  its  forma- 
tion in  1 85 1.  Prior  to  the  organization  of  Abington  Circuit  it 
was  probably  served  by  the  preachers  of  Wyoming  Circuit.  At 
its  organization  Newton  charge  embraced  Newton,  Milwaukee, 
Falls,  Mill  City  (familiarly  known  then  as  Mill  Town,  Block 
Schoolhouse,  or  Block),  Lake  Winola  (commonly  called  Pond, 
Crooked  Lake,  or  Breeches  Pond),  Shook's  Schoolhouse,  La 
Grange,  Schultzville,  and  West  Abington.  For  some  time  Shultz- 
ville  was  with  the  Factoryville  charge.  West  Abington  has  been 
with  Factoryville  a  long  time.  Shook's  appointment  was  dropped 
about  1875.  In  1888  the  charge  was  divided,  the  Falls  charge 
being  formed  out  of  some  of  the  appointments  of  Newton  charge. 
Since  then  Newton  charge  has  embraced  Newton,  Schultzville, 
and  Milwaukee. 

The  old  schoolhouse  at  Newton  Center  was  used  by  the  class 
here  twenty  years  before  the  incorporation  of  the  society  in  1846. 
The  first  trustees  were  Jacob  Smith,  Nathaniel  Richards,  Timothy 
Drake,  Peter  Bedell,  Jesse  Beemer,  Alexander  Beemer,  George 
Albright,  Noah  Patrick,  and  John  Weiss.  In  1847  ^  church  costing 
$600  was  erected.  The  building  committee  consisted  of  Peter 
Bedell,  Jacob  Smith,  James  Van  Sickler,  Nathaniel  Richards,  and 


Wyoming  Conference 


Peter  Rutan.  This  building  still  stands  beside  the  Baptist  church 
at  "The  Ridge."  When  it  was  abandoned,  on  December  8,  1875, 
the  site  reverted  to  the  former  owners.  It  is  now  a  part  of  the 
hotel  property. 

The  present  site  was  purchased  of  William  C.  Ayres  in  1875. 
The  church  is  44x32  feet,  has  a  class  room  28x18  feet,  a  vestibule 
16x8  feet,  and  its  steeple  is  80  feet  high.  It  cost  $4,204,  and  was 
dedicated  on  December  9,  1875,  Rev.  R.  L.  Dashiell  preaching  in 
the  morning  and  Rev.  I.  T.  Walker  in  the  evening.  Eleven  hun- 
dred dollars  was  raised  on  this  day  to  complete  paying  for  the 
church.   The  building  was  quite  extensively  repaired  in  1892. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Newton  Center,  and  was  purchased 
of  Lewis  Litts.  It  was  repaired  and  enlarged  in  1882  and  again 
in  1896. 

Mihvankee  is  one  and  one  half  miles  south  of  Newton  Center. 
The  site  for  this  church  was  purchased  of  Zachariah  Bedell  in 
1859  $100.  The  church,  which  cost  about  $4,000,  was  dedi- 
cated in  January,  i860,  by  Dr.  George  Peck.  Prior  to  going  into 
the  church  the  society  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse.  At  this 
writing  the  society  has  purchased  a  lot  of  Mr.  William  Zeiss  for 
$145  across  the  street,  and  south  of  the  old  church.  The  corner 
stone  for  a  new  church  was  laid  on  June  18,  1903,  by  Rev.  J.  B. 
Sweet,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft.  The  old  church  is  to  be 
torn  down  and  the  available  material  used  in  the  construction  of 
the  new  church,  which  will  cost  about  $4,000.  The  old  church  lot 
will  then  be  added  to  the  cemetery,  which  is  owned  by  the  Meth- 
odist church. 

Schultzville  is  about  three  miles  from  Newton  Center.  This 
place  was  with  Clark's  Green  during  the  days  there  was  a  Clark's 
Green  appointment,  and  with  Clark's  Green  was  added  to  the 
Waverly  appointment  in  1883.  The  chapel  was  built  and  owned 
by  McKinstry  and  Childs,  proprietors  of  the  old  tannery,  as  a 
private  school  building,  and  w^as  used  as  a  place  of  w^orship  as 
early  as  1866.  The  society  bought  it  in  1885  for  $250,  and  it  is 
valued  at  $700.  Before  the  erection  of  this  building  the  Metho- 
dists worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse  at  Weiss's  Corners. 

Newton  charge  was  on  the  Wyoming  District  until  1891,  when 
it  was  put  on  Binghamton  District. 

Pastorates 

Prior  to  1851  with  Abington ;  1851,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1852,  J.  D. 
Safford;  1853,  C.  L.  Rice;  1854-55,  J.  La  Bar;  1856,  P.  Holbrook; 


Nicholson,  Pa. 


513 


1857,  J-  Hunger;  1858,  C.  Perkins;  1859,  D.  Personeus; 
1860-61,  J.  La  Bar;  1862-63,  G.  W.  Leach;  1864-65,  L  N.  Par- 
dee; 1866,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft;  1867-68,  L  Austin;  1869-70,  R.  S. 
Rose;  1871-73,  A.  Brigham;  1874,  A.  J.  Arnold;  1875-77,  L 
Austin;  1878-80,  William  Shelp;  1881-83,  F.  Gendall;  1884-85, 
H.  G.  Harned;  1886-88,  J.  R.  Angell;  1889-90,  A.  H.  Maryott; 
1891-95,  J.  C.  Johnson;  1896-98,  G.  C.  Jacobs;  1899-1901,  A. 
Wrigley;  1902-03,  E.  McMillen. 

Nicholson,  Pa. 

The  first  service  by  Methodists  was  held  about  1830  in  a  little 
log  schoolhouse  which  stood  on  the  ground  occupied  by  the 
Methodist  church  for  many  years,  just  above  the  railroad.  Here 
one  of  the  old  circuit  riders  preached  once  in  four  weeks.  Services 
were  also  held  occasionally  at  Bacontown.  There  is  no  record  of 
an  organization  having  been  formed  until  May  22,  1840,  when 
a  class  was  formed  consisting  of  Jesse  Stephens,  leader;  Juliana 
Stephens,  Samuel  A.  Rose,  Mary  Bacon,  and  Nancy  Marshall. 
In  1841  four  were  added  to  the  class,  and  James  Roberts  was 
appointed  leader.  In  1842  Lewis  Thomas  united  with  the  class. 
In  1842-43  the  class  was  largely  increased,  until  it  had  fifty  mem- 
bers. In  the  next  two  years  seventeen  members  were  lost  by 
death,  reducing  the  membership  to  thirty-three.  The  class  seems 
to  have  had  troublous  times.  Interest  decreased  and  the  class 
diminished  until  in  1848  it  had  only  twelve  members,  and  in  1849 
four  of  these  were  stricken  ofif  the  class  book.  When  the  class 
was  organized  its  meetings  were  held  in  the  "square-top  school- 
house,"  opposite  the  graveyard,  about  one  mile  northeast  of  the 
present  village.  Here  the  meetings  were  held  for  a  number  of 
years,  under  the  special  patronage  of  Jesse  Stephens,  who  paid 
most  of  the  preacher's  salary.  About  1850  the  place  of  1  meeting 
was  changed  from  the  "square-top"  to  the  Thomas  schoolhouse, 
on  the  hill  about  midway  between  Nicholson  and  Factoryville, 
where  some  glorious  seasons  of  refreshing  were  experienced. 
About  the  same  time  services  were  opened  up  in  the  schoolhouse 
at  the  foot  of  Roberts  Hill,  about  a  mile  below  the  village. 

Nicholson  charge  appears  in  the  Minutes  in  1854,  and  embraced 
Factoryville,  West  Abington,  Thomastown,  Little  Scranton,  and 
Stark  Church. 

This  territory  was  on  the  Brooklyn  Circuit  from  the  time  of 
organization  until  1850  or  185 1,  when  it  was  put  with  Springville, 
where  it  remained  until  1854. 

33 


514 


Wyoming  Conference 


After  the  completion  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  West- 
ern Railroad  in  the  fall  of  1852  a  village  began  to  spring  up  about 
the  depot.  For  twelve  years  very  little  was  accomplished.  The 
few  inhabitants  were  almost  destitute  of  rehgious  advantages, 
being  without  regular  preaching  or  Sunday  school.  Sunday  was 
a  day  of  drinking,  and  the  barroom  and  stores  were  kept  open 
seven  days  in  the  week.  About  this  time  a  union  Sunday  school 
was  organized,  and  regular  preaching  services  established  in  the 
old  schoolhouse  west  of  Martin  Creek.    An  improvement  was 


■» 

» ■ 

NICHOLSON  CHURCH 


soon  observed  in  Sabbath  observance  and  in  the  morals  of  the 
community. 

In  1865  the  Thomas  Hill  appointment  was  moved  to  Nicholson 
village,  and  a  class  formed  with  the  following  members :  J.  C. 
Rhodes  and  wife,  E.  Wright  and  wife,  Griffin  Stephens  and  wife, 
Jesse  Stephens  and  wife,  Mrs.  George  Candee,  Mrs.  Ebenezer 
Stephens,  and  William  N.  Raymond,  the  latter  being  the  leader. 
At  this  time  preaching  services  were  held  on  alternate  Sundays  at 
3  p.  M.  In  1866  the  church  used  by  the  society  from  1867  to  1903 
was  put  up,  costing  about  $3,000.  On  August  23,  just  after  the 
frame  of  the  building  was  erected,  the  pastor,  Davison  Worrall, 


Nicholson,  Pa. 


515 


died.  The  balance  of  the  year  was  filled  out  by  Rev.  J.  V.  Newell. 
The  building  committee  were  J.  C.  Rhodes,  Griffin  Stephens, 
George  Candee,  W.  N.  Raymond,  and  E.  Wright.  The  dedicatory 
services  were  held  in  December,  1866,  Dr.  James  Porter,  of  New 
York,  preaching  the  sermon.  In  1869  this  building  was  some- 
what improved,  at  an  expense  of  $1,000.  This  with  $1,300  in- 
debtedness incurred  in  building  the  church  necessitated  the  raising 
of  $2,300  on  the  day  of  reopening,  which  was  December  2,  1869. 
Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preached  at  11  a.  m.  from  i  Pet.  i,  3,  and  after  the 
sermon  proceeded  to  raise  the  needed  amount,  in  which  he  suc- 
ceeded. In  1878  the  church  was  again  remodeled,  at  an  expense 
of  about  $1,000. 

On  February  27,  1895,  the  lot  occupied  by  the  present  church 
and  parsonage  was  bought  from  Galusha  G.  Rought  for  $700. 
There  was  some  opposition  to  the  purchase  of  this  property,  but 
time  has  shown  that  it  was  a  very  wise  move  to  make.  The  old 
parsonage  on  the  hill,  which  was  bought  by  the  society  in  1886, 
was  sold  for  $1,100  to  Mr.  Gilbert  Brown,  in  1898,  and  the  present 
brick  parsonage  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,506.  The  old  church 
property  was  sold  to  Mr.  J.  M.  Carpenter,  in  1902,  for  $565.  On 
July  4  of  the  same  year  ground  was  broken  for  the  present  church, 
and  on  July  25  the  corner  stone  was  laid  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Sweet,  the 
presiding  elder,  several  ministers  from  adjoining  charges  being 
present.  The  church,  exclusive  of  ground,  cost  $7,000.  The 
foundation  is  of  blue  stone  ashlar,  and  the  superstructure  of  wood. 
The  basement  has  parlors,  primary  room,  kitchen,  library,  store, 
toilet,  and  boiler  rooms.  The  main  floor  has  a  vestibule,  square 
auditorium  with  bowled  floor,  a  pastor's  study,  and  a  large  class 
room,  and  is  carpeted  throughout.  The  building  committee  were 
Rev.  L.  E.  Sanford,  Miss  V.  V.  Walker,  H.  W.  Kling,  J.  E. 
Harding.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  May  10,  1893.  Services 
for  the  day  were  as  follows:  At  10  a.  m.,  sermon  by  Rev.  John 
Krantz,  D.D. ;  at  2 130  a  platform  meeting,  led  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Race ; 
and  at  7:30  p.  m.  a  sermon  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Sweet,  D.D.  Dr.  Krantz 
handled  the  finances  and  secured  $4,100,  which  covered  the  in- 
debtedness of  the  society.  The  dedicatory  day  was  followed  by  a 
feast  of  dedication.  Monday  evening  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  lectured 
on  the  "Battle  of  Life;"  Tuesday  evening  Rev.  A.  W.  Hayes, 
D.D.,  lectured  on  "The  United  States  Life-saving  Service — Prin- 
ciples Applied ;"  Wednesday  evening  Rev.  G.  E.  Van  Woert  de- 
livered a  sermon ;  Thursday  evening  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D., 
preached;  and  on  Friday  evening  Miss  Belle  Kearney  spoke  on 
temperance. 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  done  great  work  here  for  years. 
South  Gibson  was  with  Nicholson  a  number  of  years. 

Glemvood.  This  class  sprang  into  existence  early  in  the 
seventies.  About  1871  the  Nicholson  pastor  held  a  series  of 
evangelistic  services  in  the  Baptist  church,  with  large  results. 
Mrs.  Samuel  Grow,  sister-in-law  to  the  Hon.  Galusha  A.  Grow, 
was  the  real  founder  of  Methodism  in  Glenwood.  She  kept  the 
people  together.  The  class  was  formally  organized  in  1875,  hav- 
ing among  its  members  G.  N.  Hardy,  D.  G.  Black,  James  Clear- 
water, D.  N.  Hardy,  Alonzo  Miles,  Benjamin  Miles,  James  Con- 
rad, and  in  most  cases  their  wives,  and  Mary  P.  Conrad.  The 
above-named  church  became  a  union  church,  and  was  extensively 
repaired  in  1875.    It  was  built  in  1856. 

In  August,  1882,  upon  petition  of  C.  W.  Conrad,  J.  T.  Bennett, 
L.  M.  Hardy,  A.  A.  Clearwater,  B.  E.  Miles,  D.  N.  Hardy,  W.  C. 
Clearwater,  D.  O.  Farnham,  and  J.  W.  Height,  the  society  was 
given  a  charter,  and  the  church  purchased  by  the  Methodists  for 
about  $500.  This  society  is  not  so  strong  as  at  the  time  the  tan- 
nery was  in  operation.  Except  the  years  from  1893  to  1896, 
when  Rev.  S.  J.  Austin  was  its  pastor,  this  appointment  has  been 
with  Nicholson  from  the  beginning. 

Pastorates 

With  Brooklyn  until  1850  or  185 1,  and  with  Springville  from 
that  time  until  1854.  1854,  G.  L.  Griffin;  1855-56,  B.  B.  Emory; 
1857-58,  D.  Worrall;  1859,  I-  D-  Warren;  1860-61,  J.  F.  Wilbur; 
1862-63,  J-  La  Bar;  1864-66,  D.  Worrall;  1867,  E.  H.  Hynson, 
T.  B.  Jayne;  1868,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1869,  G.  Greenfield;  1870-72, 
J.  B.  Sumner;  1873,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1874-76,  J.  L.  Race;  1877-79, 
S.  J.  Austin;  1880,  J.  Weston;  1881-83,  F.  A.  King;  1884-86, 
C.  M.  Surdam;  1887-90,  H.  H.  Wilbur;  1891-92,  J.  R.  Angel; 
1893-96,  G.  E.  X'an  Woert ;  1897-98,  G.  F.  Ace;  1899-1903,  L.  E. 
Sanford. 

Rush,  Pa. 

This  circuit  was  taken  from  the  Springville  Circuit  in  1866,  and 
lies  along  the  Wyalusing  Creek.  During  the  early  years  of  its 
history  it  was  called  a  mission,  as  it  received  funds  from  the  Mis- 
sionary Society.  The  work  of  its  first  pastor  must  have  been  of 
exceptional  qualities,  as  it  is  said  still  to  have  an  influence. 

Prior  to  the  building  of  the  church  at  Rush  Center  the  society 
worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse.  The  church  was  erected  in  1870- 
71,  and  cost  $2,300,  $1,300  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of 


Rush,  Pa. 


517 


dedication,  which  was  Thursday,  February  23,  1871.  Rev.  E.  M. 
High  preached  at  11  a.  m.,  and  Rev.  S.  F.  Brown  at  7  p.  m.  The 
presiding  elder,  D.  C.  Olmstead,  managed  the  finances  and  dedi- 
cated the  church.  In  1900-01  the  present  church  was  erected,  at 
a  cost  of  over  $2,000.  The  auditorium  is  finished  in  hardwood, 
seated  with  chairs,  and  has  stained-glass  windows. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1877  at  a  cost  of  $600.  This 
property  was  sold  in  1902,  and  the  present  property  bought,  which 
is  more  desirably  located. 

East  Rush  was  at  one  time  a  part  of  the  Auburn  Circuit,  and 
known  as  Eddy,  and  was  put  on  the  Rush  Circuit  in  1892.  Among 
the  early  members  of  the  class  were  Charles  Eddy,  S.  S.  James, 
Samuel  Bartholf,  and  A.  W.  Gray.  A  church  was  erected  about 
1859,  which  burned  on  August  29,  1887,  inflicting  a  great  loss  to 
the  society.  A.  B.  Linnaberry,  T.  A.  Roberts,  and  Z.  Cornell  were 
appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions  for  a  new  church.  In  March, 
1888,  over  $1,200  had  been  secured  and  some  lumber  given.  The 
corner  stone  for  the  new  church  was  laid  on  June  5,  1888,  by  Rev. 
Thomas  Harroun,  Revs.  J.  S.  Lewis,  G.  W.  Saunders,  and  W.  H. 
Stang  assisting  in  the  services.  The  building  was  dedicated  on 
December  27,  1888,  by  Rev.  T.  Harroun,  assisted  by  Rev.  W.  H. 
Stang.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  $1,253,  of  the  furniture 
$223,  making  a  total  of  $1,476.  One  hundred  dollars  was  raised 
on  the  day  of  dedication.  So  carefully  were  the  finances  handled 
that  the  indebtedness  was  all  canceled  in  the  spring  of  1889. 

Rhetta  was  once  a  part  of  Auburn  Circuit,  and  known  as  Carter- 
town.  A  post  office  was  located  here  and  given  the  name  of 
Rhetta,  since  which  time  the  appointment  has  gone  by  that  name. 
Services  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  many  years.  In  January, 
1902,  the  church  was  dedicated.  On  the  day  of  dedication  $770 
was  raised  to  complete  paying  for  the  building.  The  church 
bears  the  name  of  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
is  unique  in  that  it  has  a  memorial  window  to  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic. 

Beaver  Meadows.  Here  a  union  church  was  built  some  years 
ago  by  the  Wesleyans,  Protestant  Methodists,  and  Methodist 
Episcopalians.  The  latter  body  now  practically  controls  the 
property. 

Rush  Four  Corners,  which  at  one  time  was  known  as  Dunmore, 
was  at  one  time  a  preaching  place.  No  services  are  held  there 
now. 


5i8 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1866,  G.  S.  Transue;  1867,  I.  P.  Towner,  William  Shelp;  1868- 
69,  William  Shelp;  1870,  P.  J.  Gates;  1871-72,  M.  Swallow;  1873- 
74,  G.  O.  Beers;  1875-76,  F.  A.  Dony;  1877-78,  A.  W.  Hood; 
1879,  T.  C.  Roskelly;  1880,  A.  F.  Harding;  1881-82,  C.  H. 
Basford;  1883,  W.  C.  Norris;  1884-86,  G.  C.  Jacobs;  1887,  T. 
Burgess;  1888-89,  G.  W.  Saunders;  1890-92,  G.  E.  Van  Woert; 
1893-94,  Abram  Schofield ;  1895-96,  A.  W.  Phillips;  1897,  R. 
McLauren;  1898-1900,  G.  Gorisse;  1901-02,  H.  B.  Burns;  1903, 
A.  E.  Potter. 

Springville,  Pa. 

Springville  Circuit  is  the  remnant  of  the  old  Bridgewater  Cir- 
cuit. Several  charges  were  carved  out  of  its  territory,  and  in  1841 
the  name  was  changed  from  Bridgewater  to  Springville. 

A  class  was  organized  here  in  1816  with  seven  members,  of 
which  Abiathar  Tuttle  was  the  leader.  Betsy  Sutton  and  Sarah 
Hankins  were  active  members.  Services  were  held  in  private 
houses,  and  in  an  old  log  schoolhouse  near  Ezra  Tuttle's.  For  a 
time  services  were  discontinued  here,  and  the  few  members  went 
to  services  at  Dimock  Four  Corners.  As  the  result  of  a  revival, 
services  were  resumed,  and  about  1861  a  church  project  was 
begun.  The  society  secured  a  vacant  storehouse,  and  remodeled 
it,  so  that  the  enterprise  cost  $800.  It  was  dedicated  on  February 
13,  1862,  Rev.  William  Wyatt  preaching  at  10:30  a.  m.  On 
November  22,  1865,  the  society  was  incorporated  as  "The  Second 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Springdale,"  with  Abiathar  Tuttle, 
John  Compton,  Jacob  N.  Vought,  Loren  Newton,  J.  W.  Rhodes, 
and  Joseph  S.  Risley  as  trustees.  In  1878  or  1879,  ^  ^^st  of 
$700,  the  galleries  were  removed,  pulpit  and  seats  remodeled, 
walls  papered,  church  painted  inside  and  out,  new  roof,  and  new 
chimneys  built.  The  building  was  rededicated  by  Dr.  Copeland. 
This  church  is  claimed  to  be  the  second  one  built  within  the  bounds 
of  Bridgewater  Circuit.  In  1886  the  room  was  ceiled  with  Georgia 
pine,  floors  carpeted,  pulpit,  altar,  platform,  and  seating  re- 
arranged, and  the  building  newly  roofed,  at  an  expense  of  $400. 

In  1890  a  house  and  fifteen  acres  of  land  were  bought  of  Isaac 
Meserole  for  $2,000.  A  portion  of  the  land  was  sold  for  $500, 
leaving  the  house  and  a  lot  large  enough  for  a  church  costing  the 
society  $1,500.  On  September  29,  1892,  the  corner  stone  was 
laid  by  Rev.  Thomas  Harroun,  and  on  May  10,  1893,  the  church 
was  dedicated.  Revs.  A.  Griffin  and  Thomas  Harroun  preaching 
the  sermons.    The  building  complete  cost  $4,500.    It  has  a  bell 


Springville,  Pa. 


519 


which  cost  $250,  and  a  memorial  window  to  Rev.  G.  H.  Blakeslee, 
who  was  raised  in  this  community,  the  only  memorial  window  on 
the  charge. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  raised  $950  toward  the  church  and 
parsonage. 

Lymanville.  Soon  after  the  settlement  of  the  county  Metho- 
dist meetings  were  held  in  the  southern  part  of  Springville,  where 
the  Lymanville  class  was  afterward  formed.  This  class  was  com- 
posed largely  of  the  Lyman  family,  Joseph  Earl,  George  Atkinson, 
William  Belcher,  Nathaniel  Sheldon,  John  Oakley,  and  William 
Taylor.  Meetings  were  held  in  private  houses,  barns,  and  woods 
when  the  season  would  permit,  and  in  the  schoolhouse  as  soon  as 
it  was  built.  Preaching  services  were  irregular  until  1830.  About 
1840  a  committee  to  supervise  building  a  church  was  appointed, 
consisting  of  Gideon  Lyman,  Joseph  A.  Lyman,  Samuel  Lyman, 
William  Taylor,  and  Henry  Elsworth.  During  the  winter  of 
1840-41  timber  was  cut,  drawn  to  the  mill,  and,  after  sawing, 
carried  to  the  building  site.  The  contract  for  the  building  was 
given  to  Lyman  Avery,  who  employed  two  architects,  Benjamin 
Hanna  and  David  McBride.  The  work  progressed  so  that  the 
frame  was  raised  in  July,  1841,  and  the  building  inclosed  that 
season.  The  following  year  it  was  finished,  and  dedicated  in 
August  by  Rev.  David  Holmes,  the  presiding  elder.  The  building 
was  36x48  and  cost  about  $2,000,  $600  of  which  was  raised  on  the 
day  of  dedication,  the  balance  having  been  previously  secured. 
This  church  came  to  be  generally  known  as  the  Lymanville  church. 
On  September  2,  1848,  the  society  became  incorporated,  upon  the 
petition  of  Joseph  Whitham,  Samuel  Lyman,  Timothy  D.  Walker, 
George  Atkinson,  Joseph  A.  Lyman,  N.  Sheldon,  Prentiss  Lyman, 
Landis  Lyman,  Elihu  H.  Lyman,  William  Belcher,  Whitham 
Earl,  and  William  Taylor,  its  corporate  name  being  "The  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Springville."  The  site  for  this 
church  was  given  by  verbal  contract  from  Mr.  J.  C.  Smith.  How- 
ever, it  was  not  yet  clear  from  the  land  office.  A  deed  was  ob- 
tained later  from  William  Harkins  and  wife.  This  building  was 
repainted  and  replastered  in  1856,  and  in  1878  it  was  generally 
improved  by  repairs,  and  again  in  1896  it  was  thoroughly  repaired 
at  an  expense  of  about  $600. 

Previous  to  the  building  of  the  church  a  home  for  the  preacher 
had  been  built  on  the  land  of  Gideon  Lyman.  This  house  was 
torn  down  and  a  new  parsonage  built  in  1851.  Here  the  pastor  of 
the  circuit  lived  until  the  purchase  of  the  house  at  Springville. 


520 


Wyoming  Conference 


A  Sunday  school  was  organized  at  the  old  Spencer  schoolhouse, 
which  stood  nearly  on  the  spot  where  the  old  Presbyterian  church 
now  stands,  instigated  by  William  Taylor,  Justus  Knapp,  and 
Thomas  Lane.  Mr.  H.  A.  Spencer  was  five  years  old  at  the  time, 
and  was  one  of  the  scholars.  He  has  attended  Sunday  school  con- 
tinuously from  that  time  to  this.  We  are  indebted  to  him  for 
much  of  the  information  concerning  Springville  charge.  He  gave 
two  sons,  John  O.  and  David  S.,  to  missionary  work  in  Japan, 
and  a  daughter  married  a  member  of  our  Conference.  The  Revs. 
G.  H.  Blakeslee,  G.  C.  Lyman,  and  Francis  Spencer  came  from 
this  territory. 

Lemon.  The  site  for  this  church  was  donated  by  Mr.  Peter  F. 
Stark.  The  church,  which  cost  about  $i,ooo,  was  dedicated  by 
Rev.  Thomas  Harroun  in  1891.  The  trustees  at  the  time  were 
Isaac  Dayton,  Peter  F.  Stark,  E.  Miner,  Lewis  Stark,  R.  E. 
Bisler,  and  George  Kintner. 

Lynn.  This  society  was  organized  about  1880.  The  ladies  or- 
ganized an  aid  society  and  began  to  raise  funds  for  a  church. 
Mrs.  Abram  Luce  gave  the  site  for  the  building,  and  was  a 
moving  spirit  in  the  enterprise.  The  church  is  30x50  and  cost 
$1,800,  about  one  third  of  which  was  raised  by  the  ladies.  .It  was 
dedicated  on  November  22,  1883,  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman,  Rev. 
S.  F.  Brown  preaching  one  of  the  sermons.  Since  erection  $450 
has  been  spent  in  repairs  and  swinging  a  $75  bell  in  the  tower. 
The  trustees  are  Abram  Luce,  Plias  Titman,  D.  E.  Taylor,  H. 
and  D.  E.  Spencer. 

Dimock.  This  class  was  organized  in  1875.  Meetings  were 
held  in  the  Presbyterian  church  until  the  spring  of  1886,  when  they 
were  taken  to  the  school  building.  In  1890  the  society  bought  the 
Presbyterian  church  for  $550,  and  thoroughly  refitted  it  at  a  cost 
of  $500.    It  was  dedicated  in  1890. 

East  Lynn  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment,  of  which  we  have 
been  unable  to  secure  any  definite  information. 

Some  years  have  been  notable  in  the  history  of  the  circuit  as 
revival  years.  In  1833-34  over  two  hundred  conversions  occurred. 
The  years  1837,  1840,  1852,  1858-59,  and  1876  were  extraor- 
dinary. 

Pastorates 

Bridgewater  Circuit,  1813,  John  Hazzard,  Elijah  Warren; 
1814,  Elisha  Bibbins,  Wyatt  Chamberlain;  181 5,  James  Hall, 
Nathan  Dodson;  1816,  Isaac  Grant;  1817,  Israel  Cook;  1818, 


Susquehanna,  Pa. 


521 


Ebenezer  Dcx)little,  Edward  Paine;  18 19,  George  Peck,  Edward 
Paine;  1820,  John  Griffing;  1821,  Joshua  Rogers,  Hiram  Moore; 
1822,  Asa  Cummins,  Mark  Preston ;  1823,  Caleb  Kendall,  Sophro- 
nius  Stocking;  1824,  William  W.  Rundell,  Sophronius  Stocking; 
1825,  Philetus  Parkus;  1826,  Philetus  Parkus,  John  Wilson; 
1827,  Joshua  Rogers,  Daniel  Torry;  1828,  Daniel  Torry,  Peter 
Wentz;  1829,  Silas  Comfort,  V.  M.  Coryell;  1830,  Joseph  Towner, 
C.  W.  Harris;  1831,  George  Evans;  1832,  George  Evans,  M.  R. 
Cushman;  1833,  Benjamin  Ellis;  1834,  Benjamin  Ellis,  S.  B. 
Yarrington,  L.  S.  Bennett;  1835,  E.  Smith;  1836,  E.  B.  Tenny, 
C.  T.  Stanley;  1837,  E.  B.  Tenny,  A.  Benjamin;  1838,  King  El- 
well,  Thomas  Wilcox;  1839,  King  Elwell,  Philo  Blackman ;  1840, 
William  Round,  William  Reddy ;  1841  (the  name  of  the  circuit 
changed  to  Springville),  William  Round,  H.  Brownscombe ; 
1842,  Thomas  Wilcox,  J.  W.  Davison;  1843,  J-  Davison,  E.  A. 
Young;  1844,  J.  O.  Boswell ;  1845-46,  Ira  Wilcox;  1847,  J- 
Whitham;  1848,  J.  Mulkey,  O.  F.  Morse;  1849,  J-  Mulkey ; 
1850-51,  Erastus  Smith;  1852,  C.  L.  Rice,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1853, 
E.  F.  Roberts,  Luther  Peck;  1854,  F.  S.  Chubbuck,  J.  K.  Peck, 
A.  B.  Lung;  1855,  Z.  S.  Kellogg;  1856,  J.  D.  Warren,  A.  P. 
Aiken;  1857,  J-  D.  Warren,  H.  Stanley;  1858-59,  J.  V.  Newell, 
L  T.  Walker;  i860,  E.  W.  Breckinridge,  C.  Pearce;  1861, 
E.  W.  Breckinridge,  C.  W.  Todd;  1862,  A.  F.  Harding,  S. 
Elwell;  1863,  D.  Worrall,  G.  Westfall ;  1864,  J.  V.  Newell;  1865- 
67,  J.  F.  Wilbur;  1868-70,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1871-73,  R.  S.  Rose;  1874- 
76,  H.  G.  Harned;  1877-79,  P-  Holbrook;  1880-82,  G.  O.  Beers; 
1883-84,  J.  B.  Santee;  1885-87,  G.  L.  Williams;  1888-91,  C.  D. 
Shepard;  1892-94,  J.  H.  Weston;  1895-97,  A.  Schofield;  1898- 
1901,  G.  H.  H.  Davis;  1902-03,  J.  W.  Price. 


Susquehanna,  Pa. 

Susquehanna  began  to  grow  in  1850  on  account  of  the  locating 
of  the  Erie  shops  there,  the  place  being  called  at  that  time  Lanes- 
boro  Depot.  Rev.  C.  V.  Arnold,  who  was  pastor  on  the  Lanes- 
boro  Circuit,  discerning  the  future,  went  into  the  rapidly  growing 
town  and  organized  a  class,  in  July  or  August  of  1850,  with  the 
following  members:  S.  C.  Robinson,  leader;  William  Smith, 
George  Petit  and  wife,  W.  C.  Adams  and  wife,  Mrs.  Robert  Mc- 
Kune,  and  William  McKune  and  wife.  Mr.  Robinson  was  suc- 
ceeded as  leader  in  a  short  time  by  George  Petit. 

Before  the  church  was  built  the  class  meetings  and  preaching 
services  were  held  in  the  Pine  Street  schoolhouse,  and  after  the 


522 


Wyoming  Conference 


schoolhouse  was  moved  to  Washington  Street  the  services  were 
held  there.  A  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  the  Pine  Street 
schoolhouse  and  George  Petit  appointed  superintendent,  who 
served  until  the  fall  of  1852,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  F.  L. 
Clarke,  who  served  until  his  death,  in  1868. 

During  the  first  year  preaching  services  were  held  on  week-day 
evenings.  In  185 1  Susquehanna  appears  among  the  appointments. 
Rev.  C.  V  Arnold  is  appointed  to  ''Susquehanna  and  Lanesboro 
Mission."  The  society  received  an  appropriation  of  $100  per 
year  from  the  Missionary  Society  a  number  of  years.    In  1855  it 


SUSQUEHANNA  CHURCH 


was  detached  from  Lanesboro.  A  charter  having  been  obtained 
from  the  court,  William  Smith,  S.  C.  Robinson,  and  William  Mc- 
Kune  were  elected  the  first  trustees.  In  the  fall  of  1851  a  site 
was  secured  from  the  Erie  Railroad  Company,  and  the  work  of 
building  a  church  began.  The  work  was  under  the  supervision  of 
William  Smith,  who  employed  the  men,  furnished  the  material, 
boarded  the  workmen,  gave  a  large  share  of  his  time  to  super- 
vising the  work,  advanced  money  necessary  to  keep  the  work 
moving,  and  of  the  $1,400  expended  on  the  structure  he  con- 
tributed over  one  half.  Preacher  Arnold  did  the  shouting  when 
the  frame  was  raised,  and  it  is  said  that  never  in  Susquehanna, 


Susquehanna,  Pa. 


523 


before  or  since,  was  such  a  shout  heard  as  when  he  cried,  "Heave, 
O  heave !" 

According  to  an  item  in  the  Northern,  pubhshed  at  the  time,  the 
church  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  February  5,  1852,  at  i  p.  m. 
According  to  another  writer,  it  was  dedicated  in  June. 

The  building  was  enlarged  and  improved  in  1858-59,  and  at 
the  reopening  Rev.  William  Wyatt  preached  his  famous  sermon 
on  "The  Old  Stone  Kingdom." 

In  1862  a  steel  composition  bell  weighing  one  thousand  pounds 
was  put  in  the  belfry  at  a  cost  of  $163,  and  at  the  same  time  new 
heaters  were  installed  at  a  cost  of  $130. 

In  1888-89  the  building  was  very  thoroughly  repaired  at  an 
expense  of  $4,000.  The  basement  was  enlarged  and  divided  into 
three  rooms,  which  may  be  thrown  into  one,  and  these  rooms  were 
carpeted  and  seated  with  chairs.  A  new  entrance  way  to  the 
auditorium  was  built,  a  new  floor  put  in  the  auditorium,  new 
carpet,  seats,  cushions,  pulpit,  stained-glass  windows,  reflector, 
and  some  minor  improvements  made.  The  reopening  occurred  on 
Sunday,  January  27,  1889,  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  preaching  in 
the  morning  and  Rev.  Thomas  Harroun  in  the  evening.  There 
was  needed  $1,800,  and  the  people  gave  $2,300. 

There  was  undoubtedly  an  enlarging  and  remodeling  of  the 
church  in  the  seventies,  Rev.  William  Wyatt  and  Dr.  James  Porter 
being  present  at  the  reopening.  We  have  been  unable,  however, 
to  receive  definite  information. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1872. 

Susquehanna  entertained  Wyoming  Conference  April  8- 
14,  1863. 

The  society  celebrated  its  semicentennial  on  July  26  and  27, 
1900.  Rev.  C.  V.  Arnold  was  to  have  been  present;  instead,  his 
funeral  was  held  in  Binghamton  during  the  progress  of  the  anni- 
versary services.  Thursday  evening  the  service  opened  with  a 
praise  service,  which  was  followed  by  an  address  on  "Fifty  Years 
of  Methodism,"  by  Rev.  George  Forsyth,  A.M.  Friday  after- 
noon's service  opened  with  a  prayer  and  praise  service.  The 
pastor  spoke  upon  "The  Reason  for  Our  Coming."  Rev.  G.  W. 
Leach  read  a  history  of  the  church,  and  Rev.  George  Comfort 
spoke  upon  "Susquehanna  Fifty  Years  Ago."  Rev.  D.  L.  Meeker, 
pastor  at  Lanesboro,  represented  the  "Mother  Church,"  and  Rev. 
William  Bouton,  of  Oakland,  spoke  for  the  "Daughter."  The 
afternoon  services  closed  with  an  address  by  Rev.  William  M. 
Hiller  on  "What  the  Planting  of  the  First  Church  Means  to  a 
Community."    At  the  evening  service  Rev.  William  M.  Hiller 


524 


Wyoming  Conference 


conducted  a  testimony  meeting,  which  was  followed  by  an  address 
by  Rev.  A.  J.  \'an  Cleft  on  "An  Up-to-date  ^lethodist  Episcopal 
Church."  On  the  following  Sunday  the  pastor  preached  an  anni- 
versary sermon. 

On  July  4,  1854,  Rev.  James  H.  Cargill,  a  former  pastor,  by 
invitation,  delivered  an  oration  in  this  place.  As  he  was  passing 
along  the  sidewalk  in  front  of  the  "Old  Harmony  House"  a  cry 
was  made,  "Get  out  of  the  way,  they  are  going  to  fire!"  He 
sprang  in  the  wrong  direction,  and  fell  mortally  wounded,  receiv- 
ing the  full  force  of  the  shot  from  the  cannon,  and  died  a  few 
minutes  afterward. 

During  J.  A.  Wood's  pastorate  the  society  experienced  the  re- 
vival of  its  history. 

McKunc's,  one  and  a  half  miles  below  Susquehanna,  formed  a 
part  of  Susquehanna  charge  until  the  organization  of  Oakland. 

Pastorates 

1851,  C.  V.  Arnold:  1852,  G.  H.  Blakeslee ;  1853,  G.  H.  Blakes- 
lee,  J.  H.  Cargill:  1854,  H.  R.  Clarke,  C.  W.  Judd ;  1855,  E.  B. 
Tennv;  1856-57,  J.  A.  Wood;  1858-59,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1860-61,  O. 
M.  McDowall:  1862,  J.  Miller;  1863-64,  X.  W.  Everett;  1865-66, 
G.  H.  Blakeslee;  1867,  J-  V.  Xewell ;  1868-70,  L.  W.  Peck;  1871- 
72,  W.  B.  Westlake;  1873-75,  A.  J.  \^an  Cleft;  1876-78,  W.  J. 
Judd;  1879-80,  W.  S.  Wentz;  1881-83,  George  Forsyth;  1884-86, 
J.  B.  Sumner;  1887-91,  C.  M.  Surdam ;  1892-95,  S.  Jay;  1896-97, 
William  M.  Hiller :  1898-1900,  C.  H.  Xewing;  1901-02,  I.  X\ 
Shipman ;  1903,  A.  D.  Decker. 

Union,  X.  Y. 

This  charge,  with  surrounding  territory,  was  a  part  of  Broome 
Circuit  until  its  formation  in  1844.  Union  Circuit  had  eight  ap- 
pointments in  1845,  1853  the  circuit  comprised  the  follow- 
ing preaching  places :  Union,  Campville,  Whittemore  Hill,  Bos- 
well  Hill,  Centerville,  Hooper,  Dutch  Settlement,  Maine,  X'anti- 
coke  Springs,  ]^lclntvre  Settlement,  Stone  Settlement,  and  Oak 
Hill. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  Union  Corners  (now  Union)  on  X'ovem- 
ber  6,  1838,  at  which  the  society  became  incorporated  as  "The 
First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Union  Cor- 
ners," with  Josiah  Caf¥erty,  Jr.,  X'athaniel  R.  Locke,  Andrew  X^. 
Boswell,  William  Boswell,  Amos  G.  Bowker,  and  Peleg  S.  An- 
drews as  trustees.    X^'othing  seems  to  have  been  accomplished  by 


Union,  N.  Y. 


525 


this  incorporation.  It  serves  as  evidence  of  church  activity  and 
that  the  society  was  probably  contemplating  the  erection  of  a 
church  then.  A  meeting  of  the  society  was  held  on  March  21, 
1842,  at  the  schoolhouse  in  district  No.  3,  at  which  Rev.  Levi 
Pitts  and  Mr.  E.  P.  Warner  presided.  The  society  became  in- 
corporate as  ''The  Second  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Union," 
with  David  Scovill,  James  Guyon,  Jr.,  Charles  Moody,  Alfred 


UNION  CHURCH 


Jones,  and  E.  P.  Warner  trustees.  The  society  is  operating  under 
this  charter  now. 

The  first  church  was  built  about  1848,  at  a  cost  of  $1,100.  When 
the  present  church  was  built  the  first  one  was  sold  to  Mr.  George 
LeBarron,  and  is  now  standing  near  the  parsonage  and  being  used 
for  mercantile  purposes.  The  present  church  was  built  in  1871-72, 
at  a  cost  of  $12,000,  I.  V.  Whittemore  being  the  contractor.  At 
the  time  of  dedication,  on  March  20,  1873,  a  large  amount  was 
subscribed,  enough  to  cover  all  indebtedness.  However,  shrinkage 
in  subscriptions  occurred  so  that  in  1879  society  found  it  neces- 
sary to  raise  $6,000  to  free  itself  from  debt.  It  did  it  by  great 
and  self-sacrificing  giving.    The  dedicatory  services  were  coq- 


526 


Wyoming  Conference 


ducted  by  Revs.  D.  I.  Ives  and  W.  H.  Olin.  The  church  has  been 
kept  in  good  repair. 

The  first  parsonage  was  built  in  1858  at  a  cost  of  $1,000.  When 
the  society  purchased  the  site  where  the  church  now  stands,  it  was 
occupied  by  a  building  which  had  been  used  for  a  schoolhouse, 
store,  and  private  dwelling.  This  old  building  was  moved  to  a 
lot  directly  opposite  the  present  parsonage  and  used  as  a  parsonage 
many  years.  The  -first  parsonage  was  sold,  and  occupied  by  Mr. 
Jerry  Barnes  a  long  while.  The  present  parsonage  was  built  in 
1899,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000,  A.  E.  Pierson  being  the  builder.  The 
second  parsonage  was  sold  to  Mr.  N.  S.  Warrick,  the  same  year, 
for  $850. 

The  church  has  been  visited  by  a  number  of  gracious  revivals, 
notable  among  them  being  in  1842,  1851-52,  and  1887. 

Whittemore  Hill  was  with  Union  a  number  of  years. 

Pastorates 

Prior  to  1844  on  Broome  Circuit.  1844,  Elijah  P.  Beecher; 
1845-46,  T.  D.  Wire;  1847-48,  A.  G.  Burlingame;  1849-50,  W, 
Silsbee;  1851-52,  J.  M.  Grimes;  1853,  A.  F.  Harding;  1854,  E.  B. 
Tenny;  1855-56,  Levi  Pitts;  1857,  G.  Bridgeman;  1858,  N.  S. 
De  Witt,  A.  P.  Aiken;  1859,  N.  S.  De  Witt,  W.  J.  Judd;  i860, 
H.  R.  Clarke,  C.  W.  Todd;  1861,  A.  F.  Harding,  W.  M.  HiUer; 
1862-63,  S.  S.  Barter;  1864,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1865-67,  D.  A. 
Shepard;  1868-69,  P.  S.  Worden,  M.  D.  Matoon;  1870-72,  A.  J. 
Van  Cleft;  1873-74,  W.  N.  Cobb;  1875-76,  O.  M.  Martin;  1877-79, 
J.  C.  Leacock;  1880-82,  S.  J.  Austin;  1883-84,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen; 
1885-87,  G.  T.  Price;  1888-92,  A.  F.  Chaffee;  1893-94,  C.  H. 
Hayes;  1895,  J.  F.  Jones;  1896-98,  J.  C.  Johnson;  1899-1900, 
J.  E.  Bone ;  1901-02,  A.  D.  Decker ;  1903,  A.  W.  Cooper. 

Union  Center,  N.  Y. 

This  charge  was  formed  by  taking  some  appointments  from 
Union  charge  in  1869. 

Work  was  begun  here  at  an  early  day.  A  meeting  was  held  on 
May  18,  1825,  at  which  Chester  Adgate  and  William  Bowker  pre- 
sided. James  Whittemore,  Jr.,  Robert  T.  Bartholomew,  James 
Williams,  and  Josiah  Cafferty  were  elected  trustees.  The  society 
became  incorporate  under  the  title  of  *'The  First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Union."  We  have  no  knowledge  that  property 
was  bought  or  that  any  business  was  transacted  by  this  body. 
However,  it  evinces  the  fact  that  a  class  existed  in  1825,  and  that 
it  was  alive  and  ambitious.    Another  incorporation  occurred  on 


Union  Center,  N.  Y. 


527 


June  20,  1835,  from  which  nothing  resulted.  A  meeting  was  held 
at  the  schoolhouse  in  Union  Center  on  Wednesday  evening,  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1852,  at  which  Rev.  Mr.  Silsbee  presided.  Justice 
Knapp  was  chosen  manager  and  James  Ward  secretary.  The 
society  incorporated  and  elected  Justice  Knapp,  William  South- 
worth,  Daniel  Boswell,  Isaiah  Brigham,  and  Rev.  J.  R.  Boswell 
trustees. 

The'  church  was  begun  in  1852  and  dedicated  on  Saturday, 
April  23,  1853,  I  p.  M.  In  1886  the  building  was  thoroughly 
repaired  at  a  cost  of  $400,  all  of  which  had  been  raised  prior  to 
the  reopening,  which  occurred  on  Saturday,  November  20,  1886, 
Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  preaching  the  sermon. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1898  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Ketcham 
for  $900. 

Oak  Hill  society  was  formed  by  uniting  a  portion  of  two 
societies.  The  Methodists  of  East  Maine,  which  class  belonged 
to  the  Choconut  Center  charge,  had  united  with  the  Presbyterians 
and  built  a  church  at  that  place,  with  the  understanding  that  each 
society  should  share  in  the  use  of  it.  Soon  after  it  was  finished  the 
Presbyterians  gave  the  Methodists  to  understand  they  were  not 
wanted,  and  utterly  ignored  their  rights.  This  caused  the  Meth- 
odists to  take  measures  to  build  a  church.  The  people  in  the 
Shores  school  district  were  consulted  by  the  Oak  Hill  people 
counseling  a  union  of  forces  in  the  erection  of  a  church  about 
midway  between  the  two  points.  Shores  Hill  class  belonged  to 
Choconut  Center  charge  many  years.  When  Union  Center  charge 
was  formed  Shores  Hill  was  made  a  part  of  the  charge.  Israel 
Chauncey  gave  the  site  for  the  church  and  an  acre  of  land  for  a 
cemetery.  A  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Israel  Chauncey 
on  July  19,  1876,  of  which  Rev.  D.  Malpass  was  chairman  and 
Silas  Barnum  secretary.  Seth  Gallup  and  Israel  Chauncey  acted 
as  tellers.  The  people  incorporated  themselves  with  the  title  of 
"The  Second-  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  Union  Center 
Charge,"  with  Seth  Gallup,  James  L.  Roberts,  Silas  G.  Barnum, 
Oliver  Russell,  and  C.  Higbee  trustees.  The  building,  which  cost 
about  $2,000,  was  dedicated  free  of  debt  on  December  13,  1876. 

The  pulpit  Bible  was  the  gift  of  Rev.  A.  Brigham,  and  the 
chandelier  was  given  by  Mr.  Charles  Shores  in  memory  of  his 
deceased  wife. 

Extensive  revivals  have  occurred  here  in  the  fall  of  1877,  winter 
of  1886-87,  i8g4.   During  the  latter  Rev.  J.  W.  Johnson, 

of  our  Conference,  was  converted. 


528 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1869-70,  I.  P.  Towner;  1871,  C.  W.  Sartell;  1872,  C.  H.  Jewell; 
1873,  J.  D.  Woodruff;  1874-75,  L.  Pitts;  1876,  D.  Malpass ; 
1877,  P.  J.  Gates;  1878,  G.  C.  Andrews;  1879,  ^sa  Brooks;  1880- 
82,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1883,  H.  A.  Blair;  1884-86,  F.  H.  Parsons; 
1887,  T.  M.  Fiirey;  1888-89,  ^V.  H.  Bailey;  1890-91,  J.  L. 
Thomas;  1892,  H.  L.  Hubbard;  1893,  C.  L.  Rice;  1894-95, •M.  V. 
Williams;  1896,  G.  D.  Fisher;  1897,  E.  D.  Cook;  1898-1900,  A.  O. 
Austin;  1901,  J.  H.  Taylor;  1902-03,  Levi  Jennison. 

Vestal,  X.  Y. 

The  \>stal  charge  is  the  remnant  of  a  circuit  of  considerable 
proportions,  which  first  appeared  among  the  appointments  in  1831. 
In  1845  ^^^^  circuit  contained  the  following  preaching  places: 
Vestal,  Apalachin  (one  mile  up  the  creek  from  the  present  town), 
Little  Meadows,  South  Owego,  Brackneyville  (Quaker  Lake), 
Choconut,  Forest  Lake,  \'estal  Center,  Catlin  Schoolhouse,  Hard 
Scrabble  (Tracy  Creek),  South  Chenango,  and  Eel  Hill.  In 
1847-48  the  circuit  was  somewhat  changed:  \'estal,  Catlin's, 
Apalachin,  Little  Meadows,  South  Owego,  Hemlocks,  Xew  Con- 
necticut, Quaker  Lake,  Choconut,  Forest  Lake,  Eel  Hill,  and 
Spaulding  Schoolhouse.  In  1852  the  circuit  was  substantially  the 
same  as  in  1845,  with  the  addition  of  Meeker's  Schoolhouse. 
There  were  church  buildings  at  \'estal.  Little  Meadows,  and 
Brackneyville.  At  Choconut  Center  the  society  used  an  old 
Baptist  church.  Catlin  Schoolhouse  was  so  called  after  Nathaniel 
Catlin,  father  of  the  general,  and  father-in-law  of  General  Tracy, 
who  was  a  class  leader. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  July  i.  1831,  at  which  Rev.  John  Griffing 
and  John  Dunbar  presided  and  Edmund  H.  Robinson  acted  as 
secretary,  the  society  became  incorporated,  with  Samuel  Murdock, 
John  Dunbar,  Daniel  Foster,  Edmund  A.  Robinson,  and  Lewis 
Seymour  as  trustees.  The  corporate  name  of  the  society  is  ''The 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  \'estal." 

The  old  brick  church  was  built  prior  to  1845,  is  one  of  the 
first  Methodist  churches  built  in  Broome  County.  In  1852  it  was 
largely  repaired,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000.  It  was  rededicated  on  Thurs- 
day, December  9,  1852,  Rev.  Z.  Paddock  preaching  and  dedicating. 
The  building  was  enlarged  and  refitted  in  1882-83,  at  a  cost  of 
$2,322.  Of  this  amount  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  paid  $360,  and 
$600  was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication,  which  was  May  16, 


Vestal,  N.  Y. 


529 


1883.  At  the  dedicatory  services  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  preached 
morning  and  evening. 

For  some  reason  the  first  incorporation  was  considered  invalid. 
Consequently  a  meeting  was  held  on  January  24,  1889,  at  which 
Rev.  D.  C.  Barnes  presided,  and  Walter  Aldrich  and  George  Bar- 
tholomew acted  as  judges.  Theodore  Randall,  H.  D.  Harrington, 
William  L.  Pierce,  E.  B.  Mercereau,  and  F.  G.  Harrington  were 
elected  trustees. 

In  the  winter  of  1890-91  work  was  begun  in  the  schoolhouse  at 
Willow  Point,  which  resulted  in  thirty  conversions  and  the  organi- 


VESTAL  CHURCH 


zation  of  a  Sunday  school  of  sixty  scholars.   This  work  was  con- 
tinued for  a  while,  and  then  dropped. 
The  parsonage  is  located  at  Vestal. 

Vestal  Center.  Work  was  begun  here  prior  to  1845.  A  meet- 
ing for  incorporation  was  held  on  October  26,  1875,  at  which 
Rev.  W.  R.  Cochrane  presided  and  E.  L.  Towner  acted  as  clerk. 
James  C.  Brown,  Marvin  M.  Mericle,  Henry  S.  Park,  George  W. 
Landon,  and  Ernest  Towner  were  elected  trustees.  The  society 
took  the  corporate  name  of  ''The  Vestal  Center  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church."  The  church  was  dedicated  on  March  23,  1876, 
Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preaching  at  10:30  and  Rev.  A.  Griffin  at  7.  Rev. 

34  ,  . 


530 


Wyoming  Conference 


H.  R.  Clarke  presided  during  the  day  and  dedicated  the  church. 
In  1883  the  society  freed  itself  from  debt  by  raising  $700. 

Tracy  Creek.  The  first  meetings  held  at  Tracy  Creek  were  held 
prior  to  1845,  but  it  is  believed  not  long  before.  The  class  was 
organized  in  Alarch,  1863,  with  the  following  members :  John 
Whitaker,  exhorter ;  Chester  Potts,  leader ;  Clarissa  Potts,  Lois 
Whitaker,  and  Belinda  Drake.  The  society  worshiped  in  private 
houses  and  the  schoolhouse  until  the  erection  of  the  church.  The 
site  for  the  church  was  purchased  of  James  Russell  and  the 
church  erected  in  1871,  being  dedicated  on  January  17,  1872,  by 
Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol.  The  building  cost  $2,100.  Mr.  A.  P.  Plough 
has  been  a  class  leader  here  over  thirty  years. 

Pastorates 

183 1,  John  Griffing;  1832,  S.  H.  Stocking;  1833,  H.  Shepard; 
1834-35,  John  Griffing;  1836,  D.  Torry,  W.  Wooley;  1837-38, 
E.  Smith;  1839,  J-  O-  Boswell;  1840,  E.  B.  Tenny;  1841,  M. 
Ruger,  G.  H.  Blakeslee;  1842,  M.  Ruger,  Lewis  Brown;  1843, 
Lucas  C.  Woodford;  1844,  A.  P.  Burlingame,  H.  Pilbeam ;  1845, 
G.  H.  Blakeslee,  G.  W.  Leach;  1846,  H.  Brownscombe;  1847-48, 
R.  S.  Rose;  1849-50,  M.  Ruger;  1851,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1852,  C.  V. 
Arnold;  1853,  H.  T.  Avery,  S.  E.  Walworth;  1854,  L.  Pitts,  S.  E. 
Walworth;  1855,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1856-57,  J.  F.  Wilbur;  1858-59, 
E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1860-61,  W.  Smith;  1862-63,  E.  Sibley; 
1864-65,  P.  Holbrook;  1866-67,  T.  Burgess;  1868-69,  J- 
Grimes;  1870-71,  S.  W.  Lindsley;  1872,  J.  D.  Bloodgood;  1873- 
74,  J.  B.  Santee;  1875-77,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1878-79,  C.  D.  Shep- 
ard; 1880,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1881-83,  Asa  Brooks;  1884-86,  J.  F. 
Jones;  1887-89,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1890-91,  F.  H.  Parsons;  1892-94, 
Isaac  Jenkins ;  1895-96,  J.  R.  Angell ;  1897-98,  E.  L.  Jeffrey;  1899, 
G.  C.  Jacobs;  1900-01,  H.  A.  Williams;  1902-03,  1.  C.  Estes. 

West  Nicholson,  Pa. 

This  charge  was  formed  in  1871  by  taking  West  Nicholson  from 
Nicholson,  Lakeside  from  Brooklyn,  Stark  from  Factoryville,  and 
Union,  which  had  not  been  connected  with  any  charge.  The 
charge  now  has  five  preaching  places — West  Nicholson,  East 
Lemon  (for  some  time  with  Factoryville),  Shupp  Hill,  Union,  and 
Wallace  Schoolhouse. 

West  Nicholson  church  is  an  old  one,  having  been  built  about 
forty-five  years  ago,  and  is  valued  at  $2,000.   The  parsonage  was 


West  Nicholson,  Pa. 


531 


bought  in  1871  of  Joseph  Speh  for  $800.  It  has  been  improved 
considerably  since  then. 

East  Lemon  church  was  built  in  1870-71,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000, 
and  was  dedicated  on  October  20,  1871,  by  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives,  D.D. 
The  building  committee  was  William  M.  Stark,  Henry  Harris, 
William  S.  Shaw,  and  Joseph  Shupp.  The  first  trustees  were 
William  S.  Shaw,  William  M.  Stark,  Henry  Harris,  Cyrus  Shaw, 
Joseph  Shupp,  Fletcher  Dixon,  Otis  N.  Stark,  Lewis  H.  Shales, 
and  Orville  Ball. 

Union.  Preaching  services  were  held  for  some  time  at  Park- 
vale,  but  subsequently  moved  to  Union,  where  a  church  was  built 
in  1899  and  dedicated  on  Thursday,  August  8,  1899,  by  Rev. 
Thomas  Harroun.  This  church  is  valued  at  $2,000.  In  1901  it 
was  seated  with  chairs,  carpeted,  and  painted,  at  a  cost  of  $400. 

Shupp  Hill  and  Wallace  Schoolhouse  are  schoolhouse  appoint- 
ments, having  Sunday  services,  however. 

There  is  an  old  church  on  this  charge  situated  not  far  from  East 
Lemon,  called  the  Stark  church.  It  has  probably  stood  fifty  years. 
The  growth  of  East  Lemon  absorbed  this  society.  The  building 
is  now  used  only  for  funeral  and  special  occasions. 

Pastorates 

i^yi-y2,  J.  F.  Warner;  1873,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1874,  A.  Brigham; 
1875,  E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1876,  A.  W.  Hood;  1877-79,  G.  O. 
Beers;  1880-82,  S.  H.  Wood;  1883-85,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1886,  1.  P. 
Towner;  1887-89,  J.  L.  Thomas;  1890,  W.  H.  Alger;  1891,  A.  S. 
Holland;  1892-93,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1894-97,  L.  T.  Van 
Campen;  1898-99,  J.  H.  Taylor;  1900-02,  J.  W.  Johnson;  1903, 
G.  H.  H.  Davis. 


532 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  XII 
CHE]S^A?sGO  DISTRICT 

Castle  Creek,  N.  Y. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  was  taken  from  Broome  Circuit  in 
1855.  In  1849  the  Broome  Circuit  comprised  Kattelville,  Che- 
nango Forks,  Barker,  Castle  Creek,  Frenches,  or  South  Castle 
Creek  (now  Glenwood),  and  Chestnut  Ridge. 

We  are  unable  to  state  when  the  first  class  was  formed  at  Castle 
Creek,  but  think  it  was  about  1825.  The  class  met  for  incorpora- 
tion on  August  30,  1847,  Rev.  T.  D.  Wire  and  Samuel  Hawks 
presiding.  Enos  Puffer,  Edson  Blair,  Isaac  Livermore,  Isaac 
Bowen,  Lorenzo  Brooks,  and  Samuel  Hawks  were  elected  trustees. 
Soon  after  incorporation  the  society  bought  one  half  interest  in 
the  Presbyterian  church  for  $312.  Within  a  year  a  lot  was  pur- 
chased of  William  West  for  $100,  and  a  parsonage  built  on  it. 

In  1867  the  Methodists,  wishing  to  rebuild,  asked  the  few  re- 
maining Presbyterians  to  put  a  price  on  their  half  of  the  church. 
They  replied :  ''What  we  have  given  to  the  Lord  we  will  not  take 
back.  Go  on  and  do  what  you  like."  The  old  church  was  torn 
down  and  a  new  one  built,  which  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday, 
July  15,  1868,  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preaching  in  the  morning  from 
Heb.  ix,  22,  and  Rev.  R.  S.  Arndt,  of  Hudson  City,  N.  J.,  in  the 
evening.  The  building  is  36x60,  with  a  lecture  room  of  27  feet  in 
the  rear,  and  cost  $5,882,  $3,575  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day 
of  dedication. 

In  1894  the  first  parsonage  was  sold  and  moved  off  the  lot,  and 
a  modern  house  erected  costing  $1,000. 

Stone  walks  have  recently  been  laid  in  front  of  both  church  and 
parsonage.  The  grounds  of  both  are  nicely  shaded  by  maple 
trees. 

Before  using  the  Presbyterian  church  the  society  held  prayer 
services  in  the  homes  of  the  neighborhood,  and  it  is  claimed  that 
one  summer  a  newly  built  pigpen  was  used  for  this  purpose. 

The  Sunday  school  has  been  continuously  at  work  since  1830. 

While  most  pastors  have  seen  accessions  to  the  church,  great 
revivals  were  enjoyed  in  1854  and  in  the  years  1873-76. 

Adams  Street.  ^^lethodism  began  its  work  here  in  1825.  In 
that  year  a  class  of  five  members  was  organized,  the  members 


Castle  Creek,  N.  Y. 


533 


living  in  Hyde  Settlement  and  Adams  Street.  John  Stoughton 
was  the  leader  of  this  class,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Guernsey,  Mrs.  Sarah 
Shaffer,  Stephen  Foote,  and  Pamelia  Gaylord  were  members. 
John  Stoughton's  wife  was  a  Presbyterian,  but  afterward  joined 
the  class.  Fanny  Beach,  Sally  Twiss,  Maria  Twiss,  Asa  Lyon, 
and  Amos  Adams  and  wife,  all  of  Adams  Street,  afterward  joined 
the  class.  Soon  after  the  dedication  of  the  Hyde  Street  church,  in 
1843,  ^  great  revival  swept  this  section  of  the  charge,  in  which 
Lyman  Lyon,  Peter  Knapp,  Eunice  Knapp,  Lodica  Knapp,  Fanny 
Stoughton,  John  M.  Beach,  Henry  Beach,  and  Frances  Beach,  all 


CASTLE  CREEK  CHURCH 


of  Adams  Street,  were  converted.  John  Stoughton  continued 
leader  of  this  class  until  1864,  when  A.  W.  Beach  was  appointed, 
who  is  still  serving. 

During  several  years  prior  to  1864  regular  preaching  services 
were  held  at  Hyde  Street  church.  During  the  excitement  of  the 
civil  war  Hyde  Street  failed  to  meet  its  apportionment  of  the 
pastor's  salary.  One  half  the  Sabbath  preaching  was  conse- 
quently transferred  to  the  Adams  Street  schoolhouse.  About  1870 
the  class  met  at  the  schoolhouse  and  became  incorporated,  with 
Joseph  P.  Adams,  Harvey  King,  Enos  Page,  Abel  W.  Beach,  and 
John  M.  Beach  trustees.   The  site  for  the  church  was  donated  by 


534 


Wyoming  Conference 


Asa  K.  Adams  in  1871.  The  church,  costing  $2,000,  was  dedicated 
in  October,  1872,  at  which  time  no  collection  was  taken,  all  the 
funds  having  been  raised  before.   The  sheds  were  built  the  follow- 
ing year.   The  church  was  thoroughly  repaired  in  1895. 
A  memorable  revival  occurred  here  in  1870. 

Hydcville.  By  reference  to  Adams  Street,  the  beginnings  of 
Methodism  here  will  be  found.  In  1842  it  was  decided  to  build  a 
church  in  the  settlement  which  could  get  the  most  subscribed 
for  that  purpose.  The  strife  was  sharp  between  Adams  Street 
and  this  point.  Hyde  Settlement  won.  A  meeting  was  held  on 
February  14,  1842,  in  the  schoolhouse  at  Hyde  Settlement,  at 
which  John  Stoughton  presided,  Stephen  Foote  was  vice  presi- 
dent, and  Charles  Gaylord  secretary.  The  society  became  incor- 
porated with  the  title  of  'Tirst  ^lethodist  Episcopal  Society  of 
Barker,"  and  elected  David  ^liller,  Charles  Gaylord,  Chauncey 
Hyde,  Abner  Dunham,  and  Stephen  Foote  trustees.  A  building 
lot  was  purchased  of  John  Hyde  seven  rods  long  and  six  wide. 
In  the  winter  of  1843  the  church  was  dedicated.  In  September, 
1858,  a  strip  of  land  six  rods  long  and  twelve  feet  wide  was 
purchased  of  Stephen  Foote  for  $1.80,  upon  which  sheds  were 
erected. 

The  dedication  was  followed  by  a  gracious  revival,  and  the  years 
1856,  i860,  and  1873  ^vere  seasons  of  more  than  ordinary  revival 
effort. 

Glen  Castle  was  a  part  of  this  charge  until  the  formation  of 
Chenango  Bridge  charge  in  1893,  when  it  became  a  part  of  that 
charge. 

Pastorates 

1855-56,  William  Silsbee ;  1857-58,  A.  C.  Sperry ;  1859-60, 
William  Round;  1861,  G.  A.  Severson :  1862-63,  C.  E.  Tavlor ; 
1864-65,  E.  Sibley;  1866-67,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1868-70,  A.  W. 
Loomis;  1871-72,  X.  S.  De  Witt ;  1873-75,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1876-77, 
T.  Burgess;  1878-80.  G.  A.  Place;  1881-83,  D.  Personeus ;  1884- 
86,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1887-89,  T.  R.  Warnock ;  1890,  N.  S.  Rey- 
nolds; 1891-92,  C.  H.  Xewing;  1893-94.  H.  G.  Blair;  1895-98, 
C.  M.  Olmstead ;  1899-1900,  C.  D.  Shepard;  1901-02,  S.  E.  Hunt; 
1903,  S.  L.  Whiteman. 

Chexaxgo  Bridge,  N.  Y. 

Christian  work  began  here  by  the  organizing  of  a  union  Sunday 
school.  In  1850  the  Sunday  school  came  into  the  control  of  the 
Methodists.    Preaching  was  sustained  by  the  Methodists  in  the 


Chenango  Bridge,  N.  Y. 


535 


schoolhouse  where  the  Sunday  school  was  held.  The  preaching 
services  were  somewhat  sporadic,  but  the  Sunday  school  con- 
tinuously worked.  From  1846  to  1884  several  different  classes 
were  organized  by  different  pastors.  In  1884  a  skating  rink  was 
changed  into  a  hall,  when  it  became  the  place  of  Sunday  school 
and  preaching  services,  and  continued  for  ten  years.  On  January 
10,  1888,  at  the  close  of  a  revival,  started  by  the  Salvation  Army 
and  continued  by  Rev.  I.  B.  Wilson,  of  Chenango  Forks,  a  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  Society  was  organized  for  the  purpose  of  husband- 
ing the  fruits  of  the  revival,  in  which  there  were  forty  conversions. 
Twenty  joined  at  the  first  meeting,  and  soon  the  society  num- 
bered seventy-five,  having  gathered  active  Christians,  young  and 
old,  up  and  down  the  valley.  The  Sunday  school  became  a  union 
one  again,  and  the  preaching  services  were  union  services,  em- 
ploying men  of  various  denominations  to  preach. 

In  the  spring  of  1893  the  presiding  elder  of  Chenango  District, 
after  looking  the  field  over,  proposed  the  forming  of  a  charge, 
with  Chenango  Bridge  as  the  center  and  Glen  Castle  and  Ogden 
as  outlying  appointments.  The  idea  met  with  favor,  and  the 
Conference  of  1893  formed  the  charge.  A  student  from  Cazenovia 
Seminary,  W.  B.  Armington,  was  sent  to  the  charge,  but  soon 
found  the  work  too  heavy  and  resigned,  when  F,  D.  Walter,  a 
student  in  Syracuse  University,  was  appointed  in  June.  On 
March  10,  1894,  the  society  became  incorporated  with  Newton  F. 
Everett,  Fred  G.  Miles,  Eugene  Macomber,  Fred  M.  Harding, 
Elias  Beckwith,  and  Jewell  Hall  as  trustees.  The  society  pur- 
chased the  hall  of  Mr.  P.  M.  Harding,  and  a  strip  of  land,  sixteen 
feet  wide  adjoining,  of  Mr.  Jerrell  Hall.  The  hall  was  remodeled 
into  the  present  commodious  church,  the  enterprise  costing  $2,600. 
The  church  was  dedicated  on  November  2,  1894,  Rev.  J.  R.  Day, 
D.D.,  preaching  at  10:30  from  John  ix,  25,  and  Dr.  Taylor,  of 
Binghamton,  at  2  p.  m.  Four  hundred  dollars  was  raised  on 
this  day  to  liquidate  the  indebtedness. 

The  parsonage  was  bought  in  1901.  It  is  valued  at  $800,  and 
is  beside  the  church  at  Chenango  Bridge. 

During  the  years  1895-98  Glen  Castle  was  not  with  this  charge, 
being  with  Castle  Creek,  but  Port  Crane  was  taken  on  for  two 
years. 

In  the  holiday  season  of  1893-94  a  gracious  revival  resulted  in 
the  conversion  of  fifty  persons. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  furnished  the  carpet  and  lamps  for 
the  audience  room,  and  gave  liberally  toward  the  erection  of  the 
church. 


536 


Wyoming  Conference 


Ogden  is  two  miles  south  of  Chenango  Bridge.  Prior  to  be- 
coming a  part  of  Chenango  Bridge  charge  it  was  suppHed  with 
preaching  from  Chenango  Street  church,  and  prior  to  going  into 
the  church  the  schoolhouse  w^as  used  for  services. 

The  site  for  the  church  is  a  gift  from  Mr.  J.  D.  Ogden.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  December  30,  1897.  The  presiding  elder, 
Rev.  H.  C.  McDermott,  preached  in  the  morning  from  Matt,  v,  13, 
and  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  afternoon  from  Isa. 
XXXV,  8-10.  The  building  is  a  gem,  the  audience  and  lecture 
room  seating  one  hundred  and  sixty.  The  basement  contains  a 
prayer  room,  kitchen,  and  furnace  room.  The  windows  are 
memorial  windows.  The  building  cost  $2,600,  $428  of  w^hich 
was  raised  on  day  of  dedication. 

Glen  Castle.  The  first  church  at  this  place  was  built  in  1833, 
upon  land  donated  by  Tyrus  Page,  and  was  the  first  church 
erected  between  Binghamton  and  Whitney's  Point.  It  was 
located  about  one  mile  and  a  quarter  north  of  the  present 
structure,  on  the  road  leading  from  Glen  Castle  to  Castle  Creek. 
In  its  erection  people  gave  materials,  labor,  and  cash.  The  society 
became  incorporated  on  October  18,  1832,  at  a  meeting  over 
which  Rev.  Silvius  Stocking  and  Dennis  Hall  presided,  and  Orin 
Seward,  Dennis  Hall,  Seth  Seward,  Tyrus  Page,  and  John  Lisk 
w^ere  elected  trustees.  The  corporate  name  of  the  society  is  *'The 
Methodist  Episcopal  Society  in  the  Town  of  Chenango."  In  1850 
this  building  was  torn  down  and  removed  to  the  present  site,  at  a 
cost  of  $350,  the  site  being  donated  by  Thomas  French.  No 
services  had  been  held  at  this  place  during  the  nine  months  prior 
to  the  spring  of  1888.  By  direction  of  the  Quarterly  Conference 
work  was  resumed  here  in  1888.  The  old  church  was  not  worth 
repairing,  and  was  sold  and  moved  away.  The  present  church 
cost,  with  its  furnishings,  about  $2,000,  $300  of  which  was 
raised  on  the  day  of  dedication.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  pur- 
chased the  carpet,  cushions,  and  pulpit  furniture.  Besides  con- 
tributing largely  in  cash,  I.  H.  Page,  Horace  Treadwell,  A.  H. 
Place,  and  Joseph  Hitchcock  gave  nearly  their  entire  summer's 
work  to  the  building  of  the  church  without  remuneration.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  October  2,  1889,  Rev.  J.  C. 
Leacock  preaching  at  2  p.  m.,  and  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  in  the 
evening. 

Glen  Castle  formed  a  part  of  the  Castle  Creek  charge  for 
many  years,  until  the  formation  of  the  Chenango  Bridge 
charge  in  1893. 


Chenango  Forks,  N.  Y. 


537 


Pastorates. 

1893-94,  W.  B.  Armington,  F.  D.  Walter;  1895-98,  W.  A. 
Wagner;  1899,  F.  N.  Smith;  1900-02,  L.  D.  Palmer;  1903,  A.  O. 
Austin. 

Chenango  Forks,  N.  Y. 

Chenango  Forks  is  located  in  three  towns,  Barker,  Chenango, 
and  Greene,  and  is  at  the  forks  of  the  Chenango  and  Tioughnioga 
Rivers.  Nothing  is  known  about  the  beginnings  of  Methodism 
here,  but  a  class  existed  here  in  1833.  We  have  the  record  of  an 
incorporation  which  took  place  on  March  20,  1854.  Nicholas 
Lewis  and  George  A.  Tuttle  acted  as  judges  at  the  meeting,  and 
Nicholas  Lewis,  William  Jackson,  and  George  A.  Tuttle  were 
elected  trustees.  The  society  took  the  corporate  name  of  "The 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Chenango  Forks."  Nothing 
appears  as  the  result  of  this  incorporation.  On  February  17, 
1863,  3-  meeting  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse,  at  which  Nicholas 
Lewis  presided  and  Samuel  Lee  was  clerk.  Stephen  Palmer, 
Parlay  Blair,  Erastus  T.  Wilson,  Hiram  King,  and  Samuel  Lee 
were  elected  trustees.  At  a  meeting  held  on  February  28,  1863, 
at  which  Rev.  W.  P.  Abbott  presided  and  Samuel  Lee  was  clerk, 
the  society  resolved  to  purchase  a  site  and  build  a  house  of  wor- 
ship. The  church  will  seat  two  hundred  and  fifty  people,  and  was 
erected  in  1863,  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  The  church  was  thoroughly 
repaired  in  1880. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1890  at  a  cost  of  $500. 

Kattelville  gets  its  name  from  a  family  of  early  settlers.  The 
society  was  formed  at  an  early  date.  It  was  incorporated  on 
November  27,  1849,  with  William  Hall,  Lewis  Lewis,  and 
William  A.  Lee  as  trustees.  At  the  meeting  for  incorporation 
Elias  Kattel,  Martin  Palmer,  Lonson  Post,  George  D.  Robertson, 
and  Samuel  Lee  were  appointed  a  committee  to  secure  a  site  for 
a  church.  The  building  was  erected  in  1850,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500, 
and  was  dedicated  on  January  16,  185 1,  by  the  presiding  elder. 
Rev.  Fitch  Reed.  The  society  was  again  incorporated  on  June 
21,  1859,  with  Calvin  Shepard,  Lewis  Lewis,  and  Cornelius  Teal 
as  trustees,  taking  the  corporate  name  of  "Kattelville  First  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church." 

Pastorates 

This  territory  was  with  Broome  Circuit  until  1866,  when  the 
Chenango  charge  was  formed,  and  its  name  was  changed  to 
Chenango  Forks  in  1873.  However,  from  1855-57  Chenaingo 


538 


Wyoming  Conference 


Forks  appears  in  the  Minutes — 1855-56,  Z.  Paddock;  1857,  J.  M. 
Grimes. 

1866,  P.  S.  Worden;  1867,  S.  Ehvell ;  1868,  Z.  Paddock;  1869, 

E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1870-71,  E.  Puffer;  1872-73,  C.  E.  Taylor; 
1874,  J.  D.  Woodruff;  1875-77,  G.  A.  Place;  1878-79,  D.  Per- 
soneus;  1880,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1881-82.  A.  C.  Sperry;  1883-84, 

F.  A.  Dony;  1885,  M.  A.  Dunham;  1886-87,  I-  B.  Wilson;  1888- 
89,  S.  Homan;  1890-94,  L.  Jennison ;  1895,  F.  J.  Jones;  1896, 
J.  W.  Davis;  1897,  L.  D.  Palmer;  1898,  J.  F.  Jones;  1899,  S.  H. 
Wood;  1900-02,  E.  X.  Sabin;  1903,  W.  L.  Linnaberry. 

Choconut  Center,  N.  Y. 

For  some  years  this  charge  bore  the  name  of  Broome,  the  name 
being  changed  to  Choconut  Center  in  1883.  This  territory  was  in 
the  Broome  Circuit  in  early  days,  however.  Choconut  Center 
was  with  the  A^estal  Circuit  a  few  years,  from  1845  to  1852,  and 
perhaps  longer.  In  those  days  the  society  worshiped  in  the  old 
Baptist  church.  A  meeting  for  incorporation  was  held  in  the 
schoolhouse  on  November  18,  1852,  and  Enoch  Barnum,  Joshua 
Rozelle,  and  Roger  W.  Hinds  were  elected  trustees.  The  cor- 
porate name  of  the  society  is  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  Society  of  Choconut  Creek,  in  the  Town  of  Union." 
The  church  was  built  in  1855-56,  and  dedicated  on  Februarv'  13, 
1856,  at  10:30  A.  M.,  Dr.  George  Peck  officiating.  After  thorough 
repairing  it  was  reopened  on  Sunday,  August  12,  1877,  at  2  p.  m. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  the  winter  and  spring  of  1869. 

Abbott  Church  is  four  miles  northwest  of  Choconut  Center, 
and  is  in  the  town  of  Elaine,  on  Dimmick  Hill.  For  many  years 
it  was  on  Broome  Circuit.  In  1868  the  class  had  forty  members. 
The  church  was  built  in  1868,  at  a  cost  of  $2,200,  and  was  dedi- 
cated on  January  7,  1869,  by  Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol.  On  the  day  of 
dedication  $1,100  was  raised.  It  is  called  the  Abbott  Church  be- 
cause Rev.  William  Penn  Abbott  did  his  first  work  as  a  preacher 
on  that  charge. 

Pastorates 

We  will  begin  with  1858.  For  pastorates  prior  to  this  see 
Broome  Circuit.  1858,  William  Silsbee;  1859-60,  S.  E.  Wal- 
worth; 1861,  L.  Pitts;  1862-63,  W.  P.  Abbott;  1864,  P.  S. 
Worden,  F.  L.  Hiller ;  1865,  P.  S.  Worden;  1866-67,  G.  W. 
Leach;  1868,  Semi  W.  Lindsley ;  1869-70,  L.  Pitts;  1871-72,  E. 
Sibley;  1873,  S.  W.  Spencer;  1874,  S.  F.  Ketcham ;  1875-76,  A. 
Brigham;  1877-78,  Cornelius  Sweet;  1879-81,  W.  B.  Thomas; 


Coventry,  N.  Y. 


539 


1882-83,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1884-85,  A.  F.  Harding;  1886-87,  C.  W. 
Babcock;  1888-89,  M.  D.  Matoon ;  1890,  George  Pope;  1891-95, 
Charles  Smith;  1896,  M.  L.  Andariese;  1897-99,  E.  P.  Eldridge; 
1900-01,  S.  H.  Flory;  1902-03,  C.  H.  Seward. 

Coventry,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  began  in  this  section  at  an  early  date.  A  meeting 
was  held  on  April  20,  1819,  in  the  schoolhoiise  in  district  No.  6, 
at  which  William  Burdge  and  Joseph  B.  Young  presided.  Philo 
Clemmons,  Ransom  Adkins,  Samuel  I.  Thomas,  Whiting  Cornish, 
and  William  M.  Thomas  were  elected  trustees.  The  corporate 
name  of  this  society  was  **The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Society 
in  Coventry,  called  Union." 

"The  West  Coventry  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church"  was  formed  in  1829,  and  seems  to  have  been  a  reorgani- 
zation of  the  above  society,  as  it  was  organized  at  the  same  place 
and  with  about  the  same  officials. 

In  1829  Oliver  Badger  and  wife  sold  a  lot  to  the  society  for 
$5  and  a  church  was  built  upon  it.  This  was  about  three  miles 
south  of  Coventry,  and  was  used  by  the  society  a  good  many 
years.    It  has  since  been  taken  down. 

On  March  4,  1853,  ''The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Coventry"  was  incorporated,  with  Daniel  Nivens,  William  H. 
Beardsley,  Daniel  Hayes,  H.  S.  Beardsley,  and  Hiram  P.  Chase 
as  trustees.  On  March  14,  1853,  the  present  church  lot  was  sold 
to  the  society  by  Luman  Miles  and  wife  Nancy  for  $1.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  January  4,  1854,  at  11 
A.  M.  The  building  was  repaired  in  1888,  and  again  in  1895.  A 
strip  of  land  twenty  feet  wide  was  bought  of  Luman  Miles  in 
July,  1862,  for  $30. 

The  parsonage  was  bought  of  John  W.  Treadway  and  wife 
Rosetta  on  March  21,  1864,  for  $500.  In  1895  it  was  thoroughly 
repaired. 

On  May  8,  1890,  Mr.  Horace  S.  Beardsley  gave  the  society  his 
farm,  valued  at  about  $2,500,  as  an  endowment,  the  interest  of 
which  is  to  be  used  for  church  work.  The  farm  has  since  been 
sold  by  the  society. 

Pastorates 

1849-50,  E.  D.  Thurston;  1851,  L.  D.  Brigham ;  1852,  H.  Gee; 
1853,  supply;  1854,  W.  Peck;  1855-56,  M.  S.  Wells;  1857, 
Elnathan  Orwin ;  1858,  S.  G.  Greene;  1859-60,  T.  M.  Williams; 
1861-63,  supply;   1864-65,  L.   Bowdish;   1866-67,  Homer  R. 


540 


Wyoming  Conference 


Northrup;  1868-70,  D.  Bullock;  1871-72,  David  Davies ;  1873, 
G.  E.  Hathaway;  1874-75,  T.  C.  Roskelly;  1876-77,  L.  A.  Wild; 
1878-79,  W.  Burnside;  1880,  A.  E.  Loomis ;  1881-82,  S.  Stephens; 
1883-84,  J.  L.  Wells;  1885-87,  S.  H.  Wood;  1888-92,  A.  E. 
Thurston;  1893-94,  L.  D.  Palmer;  1895-96,  D.  L.  Meeker;  1897, 
J.  J.  Henry;  1898-1900,  W.  H.  Horton;  1901-03,  D.  W.  Swetland. 

Edmeston,  N.  Y. 

The  Methodist  society  in  Edmeston  is  the  oldest  church  in  the 
place,  having  been  organized  as  early  as  1838.  When  the  village 
consisted  of  only  a  few  houses  on  the  hill  the  society  was  formed, 
and,  having  no  church,  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse.  The  old 
stewards'  book  shows  that  over  fifty  years  ago  Edmeston  Circuit 
included  King's  Settlement,  Edmeston,  South  New  Berlin,  Gar- 
rattsville,  and  New  Berlin,  and  in  later  years  Pittsfield,  Gross 
Hill,  and  Brick  Schoolhouse  formed  a  part  of  the  charge.  The 
charge  was  formed  in  1845,  which  year  the  church  was  built 
on  the  hill  near  the  horse  sheds.  The  land  was  given  to  the  society 
by  Sidney  W.  Hopkins,  who  deeded  it  on  December  7,  1844,  to 
the  following  trustees :  Stephen  Colegrove,  Nathaniel  Coonrod, 
William  B.  Adams,  Peter  Parker,  and  B.  Mitchell.  In  the  sum- 
mer before  the  church  was  finished  a  quarterly  meeting  was  held 
in  the  building.  The  building  is  34x36  feet,  and  cost  $1,200. 
Seven  hundred  dollars  had  been  raised  prior  to  dedication,  and 
$215  was  raised  on  that  day.  The  church  was  dedicated  on 
October  i,  1845.  Rev.  L.  A.  Eddy  preached  in  the  morning,  from 
Psa.  cxviii,  25,  and  Rev.  W.  N.  Pearne  in  the  evening,  from  Psa. 
cxxxiii.  In  January  and  February,  1846,  a  revival  resulted  in 
the  conversion  of  seventy  persons. 

The  first  trustees  were  Edwin  Wheeler,  Nathaniel  Wheeler, 
Stephen  Colgrove,  Nathan  Colgrove,  and  William  Adams. 

In  1871  the  church  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,  and  was 
reopened  on  Wednesday,  December  13,  1871,  Rev.  Henry 
Wheeler  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  W.  N.  Cobb  in  the 
evening.  In  1884-85  the  church  was  again  renovated.  It  was 
moved  from  its  old  site  to  a  lot  on  Main  Street,  beside  the 
parsonage,  twelve  feet  added  to  the  front,  with  bell  tower  and 
spire,  new  windows,  new  walls  tastefully  papered,  new  pews  and 
cushions,  new  carpets,  stoves,  and  lamps — the  whole  costing 
$2,300.  All  of  this  amount  had  been  raised  prior  to  the  dedica- 
tion except  $500,  which  was  then  raised.  The  church  was  dedi- 
cated on  March  26,  1885,  Rev.  O.  H.  McAnulty  preaching  in  the 


Edmeston,  N.  Y. 


541 


morning  and  Rev.  W.  L.  Thorpe  in  the  evening.  The  church  was 
repapered  in  1899,  and  in  1901  the  building  was  painted  and  an 
acetylene  gas  machine  installed  at  a  cost  of  $225.  Mrs.  H.  E. 
Cobb  gave  the  church  its  pulpit  Bible  in  1871. 

A  parsonage  property  was  bought  of  Elisha  Butler  and  wife 
Sally,  on  May  i,  i860,  for  $600.  Jerred  Smith,  A.  W.  Suther- 
land, Savory  Wing,  James  Bean,  and  Edwin  Wheeler  being  the 
trustees  at  the  time.  This  property  was  sold  in  1893  to  Eri 
Chase,  and  a  new  parsonage  built  costing  $1,200. 

This  church  has  given  the  following  preachers  to  the  ministry : 
Vincent  Talbot,  Joseph  Southworth,  Andrew  Colgrove,  Delos 
Cronk,  and  Henry  Wheeler.  Miss  Marietta  Manchester  went 
from  this  church  as  a  missionary  to  China,  and  was  killed  in  1900 
by  the  Boxers. 

IV est  Burlington.  In  1898  Burlington  Flats,  which  had  been 
with  Edmeston  a  number  of  years,  was  set  off.  Whereupon  Mr. 
Caleb  Clark  bought  the  old  Baptist  church  at  West  Burlington 
for  $300,  and  presented  it  to  the  Methodists  in  1899.  It  is  three 
miles  north  of  Edmeston.  In  1900  Mr.  Clark  built  some  sheds 
for  the  society  at  an  expense  of  $75,  and  in  1901  the  church  was 
painted  at  a  cost  of  $50.  Charles  Bennington  and  wife  gave  the 
church  its  pulpit  Bible  in  1900.  The  society  became  incorporated 
as  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  West  Burlington, 
N.  Y.,"  on  March  23,  1903,  with  Charles  Bennington,  Caleb 
Clark,  J.  P.  Austin,  A.  D.  Hood,  William  Lines,  and  L.  K.  Angel 
trustees. 

Pastorates 

1845,  R-  Cook;  1846-47,  D.  T.  Elliott;  1848-50,  ;  1851, 

with  Exeter;  1852,  W.  Burnside ;  1853,  S.  S.  Weber;  1854,  B.  B. 
Carruth;  1855-56,  O.  EUerson;  1857,  A.  S.  Southworth;  1858-59, 
W.  Burnside;  1860-61,  J.  Davis;  1862-63,  J.  W.  Mevis ;  1864, 
J.  W.  Rawlingson;  1865-66,  S.  H.  Hill;  1867-68,  William  R. 
Lynch;  1869-71,  W.  M.  Hiller;  1872-73,  A.  S.  Clark;  1874-75, 
H.  H.  Dresser;  1876,  S.  Homan ;  1877-78,  H.  B.  Cook;  1879-81, 
J.  H.  Boyce;  1882,  J.  B.  Santee;  1883,  Cornelius  Sweet;  1884-85, 
C.  W.  Babcock;  1886-87,  A.  F.  Harding;  1888-90,  S.  H.  Wood; 
1891-93,  Thomas  Eva;  1894-95,  F.  D.  Hartsock;  1896-99,  R.  W. 
Lowry;  1900-02,  J.  W.  Davis;  1903,  A.  R.  Burke, 

Garrattsville,  N.  Y. 

The  beginnings  of  Methodism  here  are  unknown.  It  is  claimed 
that  the  first  class  was  formed  in  1839  by  Rev.  M.  French.   If  so, 


542 


Wyoming  Conference 


this  section  was  with  Exeter  at  that  time.  Subsequently  it  became 
a  part  of  Edmeston  Circuit,  and  as  early  as  1845,  where  it  con- 
tinued until  it  became  a  Conference  appointment  in  1874.  Among 
the  first  members  were  Daniel  Harrington,  C.  Gross,  J.  Gross,  A. 
Gross,  and  Lyman  Briggs.  The  first  officers  of  the  society  were 
H.  House,  B.  D.  Whitford,  D.  Harrington,  C.  Gross,  J.  R.  Wing, 
S.  Wing,  and  J.  Gross.  On  April  i,  1840,  D.  M.  Hard  and  Joseph 
Peck  deeded  the  society  two  acres  of  land  for  $150.  The  trustees 
at  this  time  were  Horace  House,  Jabez  Gross,  Croswell  Gross, 
Stephen  Wing,  Berthier  D.  Whitford,  Daniel  Harrington,  and 
Joseph  Wing.  On  October  18,  1849,  the  society  sold  a  part  of 
this  lot  to  the  town  for  school  purposes,  for  $25. 

The  church  was  built  in  1840,  at  a  cost  of  $1,050.  The  dedica- 
tory services  were  held  on  January  5,  1841,  and  were  conducted 
by  Rev.  N.  Rounds,  the  presiding  elder.  In  1869,  at  an  expense 
of  $2,160,  the  building  was  renovated,  inside  and  outside — new 
windows,  blinds,  steeple,  bell,  pews,  etc.  It  was  rededicated  on 
January  5,  1870.  Rev.  B.  1.  Ives  preached  in  the  morning,  from 
"Ye  are  the  light  of  the  world,"  and  Rev.  S.  P.  Gray,  of  Weeds- 
port,  preached  in  the  evening,  from  "He  that  winneth  souls  is 
wise."  The  dedicatory  service  was  conducted  by  Rev.  W.  N. 
Cobb.   During  the  day  $2,510  was  raised. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1875,  at  a  cost  of  $1,200. 

The  society  became  incorporated  as  "The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Garrattsville,  N.  Y.,"  on  February  25,  1890,  with  Ed- 
ward A.  Hoag,  Albert  H.  Lewis,  James  R.  Stanhouse,  Charles 
Coats,  and  Robert  Bennington  trustees.  Robert  Bennington  was 
a  class  leader  here  over  thirty  years.  E.  S.  Hoag  was  trustee, 
class  leader,  and  recording  steward  many  years. 

The  Brick  is  a  schoolhouse  two  miles  northeast  of  Garrattsville. 
Services  have  been  held  here  by  the  Garrattsville  preachers  for 
some  years,  and  a  Sunday  school  is  well  sustained.  Robert  Free- 
man was  an  efficient  steward  and  leader  here  many  years.  Chloe 
Aylsworth  has  been  a  lifelong  member,  and  has  successfully  filled 
the  positions  of  steward  and  Sunday  school  superintendent. 

Pastorates 

1874-75,  A.  G.  Bartholomew;  1876-77,  H.  A.  Blanchard ;  1878- 
80,  B.  P.  Ripley:  1881-82,  J.  D.  Belknap;  1883-84,  J.  H.  Tavlor; 
1885-87,  E.  H.  Truesdell;  1888-89,  A.  S.  Holland;  1890-92,  M.  D. 
Matoon;  1893,  A.  E.  Thurston;  1894-96,  J.  J.  Henry;  1897-98, 
D.  B.  Wilson;  1899-1902,  B.  N.  Butts;  1903,  J.  H.  Watrous. 


GiLBERTSVILLE,  N.  Y. 


543 


GiLBERTSVILLE,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  early  took  root  in  this  place,  though  the  exact  date 
is  unknown.  As  early  as  1815  a  class  existed  on  Gregory  Hill, 
about  two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  village  of  Gilbertsville,  with 
a  Mr.  Wild  as  leader.  In  1831  a  camp  meeting  was  held  in 
Norton's  Grove,  a  little  over  two  miles  from  the  village.  Gilberts- 
ville class  was  formed  on  March  24,  183 1,  by  Rev.  William  Bow- 
dish,  one  of  the  preachers  on  Chenango  Circuit.  Among  the  first 
members  were  Walter  Bedient  and  wife,  Joseph  Cunningham  and 
wife,  Nancy  Kinne,  James  Gadsby  and  wife,  James  Bedient,  Caleb 
Chapin,  and  Fisk  Burlingame.  At  this  time  services  were  held 
in  the  schoolhouse  and  in  the  shop  of  Joseph  Cunningham.  The 
first  trustees  were  Walter  Bedient,  Joseph  Cunningham,  Francis 
Walker,  Cyrenus  Woodworth,  William  Tucker,  Humphrey  Hollis, 
and  Fisk  Burlingame.  At  a  meeting  held  on  March  14,  1836,  at 
which  Rev.  A.  E.  Daniels  and  Humphrey  Hollis  presided,  the 
society  became  incorporated  as  "The  Wesleyan  Chapel  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Butternuts,"  and  Solon  P.  Hubbel, 
Caleb  S.  Chapin,  James  Gadsby,  Ruel  Chapin,  Billy  Shaw,  Hiram 
Hubbel,  and  Samuel  C.  Smith  were  elected  trustees. 

On  November  28,  1831,  Mr.  Thomas  Strongtham  presented  to 
the  society  the  site  upon  which  the  church  stands.  A  subscription 
for  the  building  of  the  church  was  circulated  by  Joseph  Cunning- 
ham.. Soon  after  this  the  Quarterly  Conference  appointed  Walter 
Bedient,  Cyrenus  Woodworth,  and  Joseph  Cunningham  a  com- 
mittee to  further  the  project  and  aid  in  getting  subscriptions.  On 
July  4,  1832,  the  frame  was  raised,  and  on  December  29  following 
the  church,  which  was  40x50  feet  and  called  "Wesleyan  Chapel," 
was  dedicated,  Rev.  Andrew  Peck  preaching  from  Isa.  li,  3.  In 
1862  the  church  was  rebuilt,  twelve  feet  being  added  to  its  length 
and  a  steeple  built.  The  society  became  incorporated  on  March 
14,  1836. 

The  Sabbath  school  was  organized  on  May  5,  1833,  and  has 
been  active  ever  since. 

On  April  i,  1838,  a  Female  Missionary  Society  was  formed, 
auxiliary  to  the  parent  society. 

This  place  was  on  the  Chenango  Circuit  until  it  became  an 
appointment  in  1848.  It  went  under  the  name  of  Gilbertsville 
until  1 85 1,  when  the  name  was  changed  to  Butternuts,  which 
name  it  retained  until  1877,  when  the  name  of  Gilbertsville  was 
restored. 

On  August  25,  1856,  in  consideration  of  $800,  Elihu  B.  Cor- 


544 


Wyoming  Conference 


nell  and  wife  Philome  deeded  the  society  a  property  containing 
one  half  acre,  which  was  used  as  a  parsonage  until  1898,  when  it 
was  exchanged  for  the  present  property,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

In  the  early  winter  of  1857  a  most  remarkable  revival  was  held 
in  this  church,  continuing  eleven  weeks,  in  which  between  two 
and  three  hundred  were  converted.  A  deep  solemnity  rested  on 
the  community.  Business  was  almost  suspended.  A  writer  de- 
scribing it  says :  "I  think  I  never  saw  deeper  feeling  on  the  part 
of  both  saints  and  sinners,  deeper  conviction  of  sin,  and  more  in- 
tense earnestness  in  seeking  religion  than  during  these  meetings." 
A  watch-night  service  was  held,  and  the  Lord's  Supper  observed, 
in  which  all  of  the  different  denominations  joined. 

Pastorates 

1848-49,  Lewis  Anderson;  1850-51,  Justus  Soule;  1852,  J.  M. 
Searles;  1853-54,  J.  H.  Hall;  1855-56,  D.  C.  Dutcher;  1857-58,  B. 
Shove;  1859-60,  C.  T.  Moss;  1861-62,  M.  S.  Wells ;  1863-65,  G.  S. 
White;  1866,  William  Watson;  1867-69,  S.  Moore;  1870-71, 
A.  M.  Colgrove;  1872-73,  W.  M.  Hiller;  1874,  William  Burnside; 
1875-76,  J.  W.  Mevis;  1877-78,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1879-81,  J.  D. 
Bloodgood;  1882-83,  WilHam  Bixby;  1884,  T.  F.  Hall;  1885, 
Isaac  B.  Wilson;  1886-87,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1888-90,  G.  H.  Prentice; 
1891-92,  S.  H.  Wood;  1893-94,  J.  M.  Correll;  1895-96,  L.  D. 
Palmer;  1897-99,  L.  Clark;  1900,  I.  N.  Steelman,  M.  H.  Reed; 
1901-02,  M.  H.  Reed;  1903,  E.  E.  Pearce. 

Greene,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  is  said  to  have  begun  its  work  in  the  town  of 
Greene  by  holding  meetings  in  the  house  of  Benjamin  Townsend, 
about  four  miles  below  the  village,  where  a  class  was  formed  in 
181 4.  In  1817  the  place  of  holding  meetings  was  changed  to  the 
house  of  Abel  Norton,  two  miles  below  the  village,  near  the 
Genegantslet  bridge.  The  present  society  in  Greene  is  the  out- 
growth of  these  classes.  The  society  grew,  evidently.  On  July 
7,  1827,  a  subscription  paper  was  started  reading  as  follows: 
''Whereas,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  in  the  town  of  Greene 
and  its  vicinity  propose  to  erect  a  meetinghouse  or  church  in  the 
village  of  Greene,  therefore  we  whose  names  are  hereunto  sub- 
scribed agree  to  pay  to  the  trustees  of  said  society  the  several 
sums  by  us  subscribed,  one  half  of  which  shall  be  payable  when 
the  house  is  raised  and  inclosed,  and  the  remaining  half  when  it 
shall  be  completed  and  painted.    The  house  to  be  the  usual  size 


Greene,  N.  Y. 


545 


for  a  country  church,  with  a  suitable  tower,  or  steeple."  Many 
of  the  subscriptions  were  to  be  paid  in  work,  stone,  lumber,  grain, 
and  stock.  On  September  25,  1827,  the  society  met  at  the  house 
of  Benjamin  Jackson  for  the  purpose  of  incorporating.  Lamard 
Livermore  presided,  and  Horatio  N.  Gere  acted  as  secretary. 
Benjamin  Jackson,  Horatio  N.  Gere,  Benjamin  Harrington, 
Reuben  Chase,  and  Isaac  Grant,  M.D.,  were  elected  trustees.  The 
corporate  name  of  the  society  is  **The  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  Town  of  Greene."   The  board  of  trustees  met  on 


October  3,  1827,  and  appointed  Benjamin  Jackson  and  Anthony 
Squires  a  building  committee.  The  church  was  built  in  1828,  and 
was  the  first  church  erected  in  the  town.  When  the  Baptists  were 
seeking  for  a  place  to  hold  services  they  were  granted  the  use  of 
this  church  a  part  of  the  time  until  they  could  build  a  church  for 
themselves.  This  building  was  twice  repaired,  the  last  time  in 
1873,  when  it  was  reopened  on  Thursday,  July  17,  Rev.  William 
Reddy  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  in  the 
evening.  In  process  of  time  this  building  became  somewhat 
dilapidated,  and  it  was  replaced  by  the  present  inviting  building 


GREENE  CHURCH 


35 


546 


Wyoming  Conference 


in  1891-92,  at  a  cost  of  $4,200.   Twenty-six  hundred  dollars  had 

been  raised  during  the  process  of  construction,  and  $1,100  was 
raised  on  the  day  of  dedication,  leaving  an  indebtedness  of  $500. 
The  church  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  April  14,  1892,  with 
sermons  by  Revs.  E.  B.  Olmstead  and  L.  M.  Vernon,  D.D.  The 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  gave  excellent  assistance  in  the  enterprise. 

We  are  at  a  loss  to  explain  the  following,  unless  it  be  on  the 
supposition  that  the  society  built  its  church  and  after  many  years 
bought  the  ground  it  stood  on:  on  June  29,  1850,  Simeon 


GREENE  PARSONAGE 


Auchus  and  wife  Mary  sold  a  lot  to  the  church  for  a  site  for  the 
church  for  $40. 

In  1834  Greene  was  a  circuit  with  the  following  appointments : 
Greene,  McDonough,  Triangle,  Connecticut  Hill,  and  Whitney's 
Point.  In  1838  it  included  Greene,  Chenango  Forks,  Whitney's 
Point,  East  Greene,  Smithville  Flats,  Smithville  Center,  East 
Smithville,  McDonough,  and  other  points.  At  this  time  the 
village  had  about  sixty  houses,  with  Congregational,  Baptist, 
Episcopalian,  and  Methodist  churches. 

On  February  27,  1897,  a  strip  on  the  rear  of  the  church  lot 
16x50  feet  was  purchased  of  Hannah  Lawton. 

On  April  i,  1856,  the  society  purchased  a  house  and  lot  on  Elm 
Street  of  Abram  D.  Storm  and  wife  Harriet  for  $625.  This  was 
used  as  a  parsonage  until  about  1879,  when  it  was  sold  for  $800; 
and  the  interest  used  toward  paying  rent  for  a  house  for  the 


Guilford,  N.  Y. 


547 


preacher's  family.  On  October  28,  1880,  a  lot  for  a  parsonage 
on  the  corner  of  Van  Buren  and  Genesee  Streets  was  purchased 
of  Laura  Willard,  Anna  W.  Connelly,  John  Willard  and  wife 
Lenore  for  $400.  A  house  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,400.  This 
property  was  sold  in  1894,  and  on  April  i,  1895,  the  present  par- 
sonage beside  the  church  was  bought  of  Christina  M.  Webb  and 
Augusta  HoUenbeck  for  $2,000. 

Pastorates 

1831,  Daniel  Torry;  1832,  James  Atwell,  N.  Rounds;  1833, 
W.  N.  Pearne,  P.  R.  Kinne;  1834,  W.  N.  Pearne;  1835,  T.  D. 
Wire,  H.  F.  Stanton;  1836,  R.  Ingalls,  L.  H.  Stanley;  1837,  E.  L. 
North,  Charles  Burlingame;  1838,  E.  L.  North,  A.  Brown;  1839, 
A.  G.  Burlingame,  P.  S.  Worden;  1840,  C.  Burlingame,  L.  Pitts; 
1841-42,  C.  W.  Giddings;  1843,  E.  G.  Bush,  J.  Whitham;  1844, 
E.  G.  Bush;  1845,  F.  H.  Stanton;  1846-47,  D.  Simons;  1848, 
Peter  Compton;  1849-50,  G.  P.  Porter;  1851-52,  A.  G.  Burlin- 
game; 1853-54,  Hiram  Gee;  1855-56,  E.  D.  Thurston;  1857-58, 
D.  C.  Butcher;  1859-60,  B.  Shove;  1861-62,  G.  S.  White;  1863-64, 
M.  S.  Wells;  1865-67,  1.  B.  Hyde;  1868-70,  William  Burnside; 
1871-72,  A.  F.  Brown;  1873,  C.  O.  Hanmer;  1874-76,  W.  H. 
Gavitt;  1877,  E.  P.  Eldridge;  1878-80,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen;  1881- 
83,  G.  A.  Place;  1884,  W.  B.  Kinney;  1885-87,  E.  R.  D.  Briggs; 
1888,  A.  D.  Alexander;  1889,  Levi  Jennison;  1890,  C.  H.  Newing; 
1891-92,  H.  G.  Blair;  1893-96,  L.  B.  Weeks;  1897,  Thomas 
Harroun;  1898-1901,  W.  H.  Alger;  1902-03,  F.  H.  Parsons. 

Guilford,  N.  Y. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century  the  Guilford  part  of 
the  Chenango  Circuit  was  called  ''Eastern."  It  is  believed  that 
Rev.  David  Dunham,  at  that  time  on  Chenango  Circuit,  preached 
in  this  section.  Some  early  records  reveal  the  fact  that  "East- 
wood," afterward  known  as  old  Union,  on  Mount  Upton  charge, 
paid  seventy-five  cents  quarterage,  and  ''Eastern"  sixty-six  cents, 
in  June,  1803 — evidence  that  they  were  already  in  existence,  and 
recognized  as  classes  on  the  circuit. 

Preaching  services  at  this  time  were  held  at  the  house  of 
Samuel  Stedman,  a  class  leader  living  about  two  miles  north  of 
East  Guilford,  at  or  near  the  place  later  known  as  the  Alson 
Mills  farm.  Moses  Clark  and  wife,  with  two  or  three  other 
women,  constituted  the  class.  In  1806  this  class  is  credited  with 
paying  $3.30,  and  again  $3.69,  quarterage.    In  1810-11  several 


548 


Wyoming  Conference 


women  were  converted  and  united  with  the  society,  Sarah,  Ruth, 
and  Alma  Harris  being  among  them.  The  society  was  then  called 
the  ''Woman's  Class." 

Samuel  Stedman,  the  first  class  leader,  leaving  the  Eastern 
section,  Israel  Chamberlain,  though  living  six  miles  distant, 
became  the  leader. 

One  evening  in  1803  or  1804  either  Ebenezer  White  or  Alexan- 
der Morton  preached  m  a  schoolhouse  located  near  the  Ives 


GUILFORD  CHURCH 


Settlement  cemetery.  Two  trustees,  named  Johnson  and  Ives, 
forbade  a  renewal  of  the  appointment.  An  old  resident  of  this 
section  gives  as  a  reason,  ''The  Methodist  preachers  were  con- 
sidered awful  creatures/'  One  man,  hearing  the  preacher  at  this 
time,  pitied  him,  and  would  have  invited  him  to  his  home  had  he 
not  feared  the  animosity  of  the  principal  men. 

The  place  of  meeting  was  changed  from  Stedman's  to  David 
Clark's  home,  now  known  as  the  Charles  Foote  place.  A  revival 
broke  out,  the  Ives,  Bush,  and  Trask  families  being  reached  by  it, 
and  soon  the  people  of  Ives  Settlement  worshiped  in  the  school- 
house  from  which  the  first  preacher  had  been  excluded.  Services 


Guilford,  N.  Y. 


549 


were  held  in  a  schoolhouse  about  a  mile  east,  near  Simon  Trask's 
home,  and  subsequently  in  the  new  stone  school  building  in  Ives 
Settlement,  from  whence  the  services  were  taken  to  Guilford 
Center. 

In  1815  the  society  contemplated  the  building  of  a  church.  The 
Quarterly  Conference  "Resolved,  That  a  meetinghouse  is  neces- 
sary for  this  part  of  the  circuit,  and  that  it  be  set  in  the  town  of 
Eastern."  A  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  David  Clark,  on 
May  15,  1816,  for  the  purpose  of  incorporating.  Ralph  Lanning 
and  Simon  Trask  presided.  Joel  Root,  Abial  Bush,  Abner  Wood, 
Azor  Burlison,  David  Clark,  and  Sheldon  Marsh  were  elected 
trustees,  and  the  society  was  to  be  known  as  'The  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  Town  of  Eastern."  Nothing  seems  to 
have  come  from  this  project.  Prior  to  1820  Azor  Burlison  had 
an  appointment  for  preaching  at  his  house  two  miles  east  of 
Guilford  Center,  and  continued  it  for  at  least  five  years. 

At  a  Quarterly  Conference  held  on  January  6,  1838,  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Rev.  George  Harmon,  Samuel  Trask,  Ozias 
Bush,  and  Almon  Trask,  was  appointed  to  plan  for  building  a 
church  at  Guilford  Center.  There  arose  a  question  concerning  the 
location.  The  larger  number  of  members  lived  in  and  around 
Guilford  Center;  but  Fayette  (now  Guilford  village)  was  a  more 
enterprising  and  growing  place — was  already  the  principal  busi- 
ness center  for  the  whole  town.  There  was  no  church  in  Fayette 
except  the  Episcopalian,  and  at  the  Center  the  Congregationalists 
had  a  church.  Sentiment  was  divided.  A  disinterested  commit- 
tee from  outside  was  invited  to  investigate  and  decide  upon  a  site. 
The  result  of  all  this  was  two  churches,  a  mile  and  a  half  apart, 
one  at  Guilford  Center  and  one  at  Fayette,  and  both  built 
about  1839. 

There  are  two  records  of  incorporation  which  are  supposed  to 
be  of  the  Guilford  Center  church.  On  April  3,  1829,  at  a  meeting 
over  which  George  Harmon  and  Amos  Mansfield  presided,  "The 
First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Town  of 
Guilford"  was  incorporated,  and  Paul  Winton,  James  Bayley,  and 
Thomas  Rickman  were  elected  trustees.  No  work  having  been 
done  under  the  above  incorporation,  it  was  probably  considered 
worthless.  On  September  17,  1839,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the 
academy  at  Guilford  Center,  over  which  Almon  Trask  and  S.  I. 
Trask  presided,  when  "The  Second  Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Guilford"  was  incorporated,  and  Azor  Bur- 
lison, Almon  Trask,  John  Evans,  Jesse  Hendrick,  and  Albert 
Cornwell  were  elected  trustees.    A  lot  was  leased  of  William 


550 


Wyoming  Conference 


Baldwin  upon  which  the  church  was  built.  On  March  4,  1840, 
Mr.  Baldwin  gave  the  society  the  lot  by  deed,  consideration  $1. 
In  1884  this  building  was  renovated  and  improved  at  a  cost  of 
$1,200.  This  church  was  sold  in  1900,  and  preaching  services 
discontinued. 

The  church  at  Guilford  was  built  on  ground  leased  of  Sidney 
Eggleston.  The  society  purchased  it  of  Mr.  Eggleston  on  July 
II,  1840,  for  $40.  This  building  had  been  repaired  but  slightly 
until  1874,  when  it  was  rebuilt.  The  building  was  raised  and  a 
basement  built  and  fitted  up  for  Sunday  school  and  social  work, 
an  addition  10x16  feet  built  on  the  rear  for  the  choir,  and  a  tower 
and  steeple  120  feet  high  erected.  Eight  thousand  dollars  was 
spent  in  these  changes,  $3,000  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of 
dedication,  which  was  January  12,  1875,  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preach- 
ing both  morning  and  evening.  This  society  was  incorporated 
at  a  meeting  held  in  the  church  on  December  6,  1841.  Albert 
Cornwell  and  Stephen  B.  Stead  were  judges  of  election,  and 
Stephen  B.  Stead,  Ozias  Bush,  Albert  Cornwell,  Tori  Yale,  Abel 
Cornwell,  Cyrus  Cumstock,  Roswell  R.  Bush,  and  John  Denison 
were  elected  trustees. 

A  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1854.  In  1864  the  present  par- 
sonage was  built.  In  1900  $1,500  was  spent  in  improving  the 
parsonage  and  beautifying  the  church. 

Israel  Chamberlain,  Wyatt,  his  brother,  James  P.  Aylesworth, 
William  Adams,  Ashahel  Eggleston,  W.  Peck,  and  Sidney  E. 
Hunt  have  been  sent  into  the  ministry  from  this  charge;  and 
Revs.  J.  S.  Mitchell,  Philip  Bartlett,  F.  D.  Higgins,  and  B.  B. 
Carruth  found  faithful  helpmeets  on  this  territory. 

There  was  preaching  at  Root's  Corners  as  early  as  1808,  but 
this  society  was  short-lived. 

While  most  of  the  pastors  have  seen  accessions  to  the  church 
by  revival  work,  the  years  1819,  1830-31,  1842-43  (three  hundred 
conversions),  1854-55,  and  1895  were  notable  in  revival  work. 

The  first  quarterly  meeting  and  camp  meeting,  combined,  held 
in  Guilford  was  at  David  Clark's  (at  the  Trestle),  commencing 
on  June  16,  18 14,  when  Methodists  gathered  from  Plainfield, 
Brookfield,  Columbus^  Sherburne,  Plymouth,  New  Berlin,  Bain- 
bridge,  Oxford,  Unadilla,  and  elsewhere.  A  second  and  memor- 
able camp  meeting  was  held  near  the  residence  of  Abial  Bush, 
commencing  on  June  8,  1819. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  was  a  part  of  Chenango  Circuit 
until  1849,  "^vhen  the  circuit  ceased  to  exist  by  the  creation  of 
several  charges,  among  them  Guilford  charge. 


Lisle,  N.  Y. 


551 


Rockdale  is  situated  about  five  miles  east  of  Guilford.  As 
early  as  1831  a  society  was  formed  here  which  struggled  for  many 
years.  It  was  reorganized  on  October  29,  1859,  has  since 
held  regular  services.  In  i860  a  union  church  was  built  costing 
$1,200.  The  society  uses  this  building  for  its  church  work.  For 
many  years  it  was  with  Sidney,  and  for  some  time  alone.  When 
Guilford  Center  work  was  abandoned  Rockdale  was  added  to 
Guilford  charge. 

Pastorates 

1849-50,  P.  G.  White;  1851,  F.  D.  Higgins;  1852-53,  C.  Starr; 
1854-55,  W.  Jerome;  1856-57,  L.  G.  Weaver;  1858,  W.  Souther- 
land;  1859-60,  E.  D.  Thurston;  1861-62,  A.  S.  Southworth;  1863- 
65,  W.  G.  Queal;  1866-67,  William  Burnside;  1868-70,  L.  Sperry; 
1871-72,  I.  B.  Hyde;  1873,  D.  R.  Carrier;  1874-75,  E.  W.  Cas- 
well; 1876,  T.  P.  Halstead;  1877-78,  A.  M.  Colegrove;  1879-81, 
E.  L.  Bennett;  1882-83,  P.  R.  Tower;  1884-86,  H.  H.  Wilbur; 
1887-88,  Levi  Jennison;  1889-92,  W.  Frisby;  1893-96,  M.  S. 
Godshall;  1897-98,  H.  A.  Williams;  1899-1902,  C.  M.  Olmstead; 
1 903*  C.  C.  Vrooman. 

Lisle,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  began  its  work  in  Lisle  in  1814.  Rev.  C.  E.  Taylor 
says  that  in  this  year  the  class  was  formed,  and  was  probably 
cared  for  by  the  preachers  on  Broome  Circuit.  A  meeting  was 
held  in  Lisle  on  June  18,  1828,  at  which  Rev.  Philo  Barbary  and 
David  Fairchild  presided,  and  David  Smith,  David  Fairchild, 
John  Beach,  Thomas  Whitney,  and  Allen  Randall  were  elected 
trustees.  We  cannot  understand  this,  as  Philo  Barbary  was  one 
of  the  Binghamton  pastors  at  this  time.  On  January  7,  1833,  a 
meeting  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse  at  Lisle,  at  which  Charles  C. 
Baker  and  Pelatiah  B.  Brooks  presided.  Benjamin  Rowland, 
Daniel  J.  Davidson,  Alvah  Bennett,  Pelatiah  B.  Brooks,  and 
Charles  C.  Baker  were  elected  trustees,  and  the  society  took  the 
corporate  name  of  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Lisle."  Pelatiah  B.  Brooks  was  the  class  leader  for  years.  The 
church  was  erected  in  1857,  a  cost  of  $2,000,  and  was  dedicated 
on  January  20,  1858,  Rev.  William  Wyatt  being  the  preacher  of 
the  occasion. 

The  parsonage  is  situated  at  Lisle. 

Center  Lisle,  sometimes  called  Yorkshire,  is  four  miles  west  of 
Lisle.  Its  church  is  30x50,  and  cost  $4,500.  It  was  dedicated  on 
January  14,  1870.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preached  in  the  morning  and 
did  the  soliciting  during  the  day.    Rev.  Dr.  Bristol  preached  in 


552 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  evening.  Twenty-seven  hundred  dollars  was  unprovided  for, 
and  the  congregation  when  asked  for  this  amount  subscribed 
$3,100.  In  1887  $500  was  spent  in  improvements — new  roof, 
carpets,  seating  rearranged,  a  prayer  room  built  over  the  hall,  and 
the  building  painted.  The  church  was  reopened  on  Tuesday, 
October  25,  1887.  At  2  p.  m.  Rev.  J.  C.  Leacock  preached  from 
Eph.  ii,  21,  22,  and  in  the  evening  Rev.  C.  A.  Benjamin  preached 
from  Eph.  v,  27. 

Pastorates 

1838-39,  Charles  BurHngame ;  1840,  H.  Benjamin;  1841,  T.  D. 
Wire;  1842,  T.  D.  Wire,  Joseph  Whitham;  1843,  L.  Pitts;  1844, 
L.  Pitts,  J.  M.  Grimes;  1845,  A-  Hamilton;  1846,  B.  Ellis;  1847, 
W.  Silsbee;  1848,  W.  Silsbee,  O.  L.  Torry;  1849,  A.  G.  Burlin- 

game,  H.  Pilbeam;  1850,   ;  185 1,  D.  Davies ;  1852-56, 

 ;  1857,  G.  R.  Hair;  1858,  A.  F.  Harding;  1859-60,  A.  C. 

Sperry;  1861,  William  Silsbee;  1862-63,  S.  E.  Walworth;  1864- 
65,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1866-67,  George  Comfort;  1868,  D.  D.  Lind- 
sley,  J.  Lee;  1869,  D.  D.  Lindsley;  1870,  J.  A.  Wood;  1871-73, 
A.  W.  Loomis;  1874-76,  D.  Personeus ;  1877-78,  J.  D.  Bloodgood; 
1879-80,  C.  A.  Benjamin;  1881,  E.  R.  D.  Briggs ;  1882-84,  E.  L. 
Bennett;  1885-86,  J.  H.  Boyce;  1887-90,  J.  H.  Littell;  1891-92, 
S.  Godshall;  1893-94,  F.  J.  Jones;  1895,  H.  G.  Blair;  1896-98, 
S.  H.  Wood;  1899-1900,  D.  B.  Wilson;  1901-03,  C.  D.  Shepard. 

Marathon,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  began  its  work  in  Alarathon  in  1830  by  the  organi- 
zation of  a  class  of  four  members — Orin  Carley,  Caleb  Newton, 
Mary  Newton,  and  Mrs.  Griffin,  Mr.  Carley  being  the  leader.  The 
class  grew  slowly.  Having  no  pastor,  they  had  preaching  when- 
ever they  could  secure  a  neighboring  pastor  or  local  preacher. 
Their  meetings  were  held  in  private  houses  and  schoolhouses. 
An  old  church  record  reveals  the  fact  that  in  1847  Marathon  was 
a  part  of  the  Lisle  Circuit,  which  included  Marathon,  Union 
Village,  North  Lapeer,  Hunt's  Corners,  Whitney's  Point,  Lisle 
Village,  Center  Lisle,  Orton's  Schoolhouse,  Caldwell's  Settlement, 
and  Canfield  Hollow. 

On  February  17,  1840,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse 
of  district  No.  2  for  the  purpose  of  incorporation.  Uriah  Sessions 
and  Caleb  Newton  presided,  and  Hiram  Smith  acted  as  clerk. 
Caleb  Newton,  Jesse  Johnson,  Orin  Carley,  Uriah  Sessions,  Am- 
brose Taylor,  and  Nathaniel  Bouton  were  elected  trustees.  The 
corporate  name  of  the  society  is  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal 


Marathon,  N.  Y. 


553 


Society  of  Marathon."  The  trustees  were  empowered  to  purchase 
a  site  for  a  church.  Evidently  they  did  not  use  their  powers,  for 
at  a  meeting  held  on  February  18,  1841,  the  society  by  vote  de- 
cided to  purchase  the  present  church  lot  of  Chester  Brink  for 
$75.  At  this  meeting  Caleb  Newton,  Jesse  Johnson,  and  Uriah 
Sessions  were  appointed  a  committee  to  circulate  a  subscription 
paper,  and,  as  soon  as  enough  was  secured  to  warrant  the  pro- 
cedure, to  enter  into  a  contract  for  the  building  of  a  church.  The 


•r 


MARATHON  CHURCH 


subscription  was  taken  by  selling  slips  or  pews  before  the  work 
was  begun.  The  plan  of  the  church  was  drawn  with  the  following 
dimensions :  36x40  feet,  and  22  feet  high  at  the  eaves,  with  a 
suitable  steeple.  After  the  foundation  was  laid  James  Burgess 
was  given  the  contract  to  build  the  superstructure  for  $1,200. 
Fifty  dollars  was  added  to  this  by  voluntary  subscription  to  have 
a  swinging  partition  to  the  gallery.  The  building  was  finished  in 
October,  1842,  and  the  members  were  assessed  ''according  to 
their  ability,  or  the  interest  they  had  in  the  house,  to  build  steps 
for  the  church  and  level  off  the  ground,  said  assessment  to  be  paid 
in  work  gr  material."    ''The  committee  purchased  stoves  and 


554 


Wyoming  Conference 


pipes,  and  the  ladies  contributed  sufficient  to  buy  material  for 
cushions,  a  large  Bible,  three  chairs,  two  candlesticks  and  a 
snuffer."  The  building  was  dedicated  on  November  12,  1842,  by 
Rev.  Henry  F.  Rowe. 

The  church  was  repaired  in  the  winter  of  1862-63,  and  the 
reopening  services  were  held  on  Thursday,  March  26,  1863,  Rev. 
A.  S.  Graves  preaching  at  10:30  a.  m.,  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  at  2  p.  m., 
and  Rev.  E.  Hoag  at  7  p.  m. 

In  1876  the  church  was  so  thoroughly  rebuilt  as  to  practically 
make  it  a  new  building.  The  building  committee  included  John 
Freeman,  Nathan  Lombard,  O.  H.  Smith,  John  Moore,  Granville 
Talmadge,  A.  A.  Carley,  E.  D.  Baker,  J.  V.  Van  Dyke,  William 
Tarble,  and  C.  C.  Adams.  The  contract  was  let  to  A.  C.  Green 
for  $4,000.  The  building  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  December 
7,  1876,  Rev.  E.  C.  Curtis,  of  Syracuse,  preaching  in  the  morning 
and  Rev.  Hubbard  Fox  in  the  evening. 

In  1 89 1  the  church  was  repaired,  recarpeted,  repapered,  and 
the  vocalion  purchased,  at  a  cost  of  $850. 

In  1895  the  steeple  was  injured  by  lightning  and  was  repaired 
at  a  cost  of  $125. 

On  the  night  of  September  29,  1896,  a  cyclone  blew  off  the 
steeple  and  chimneys,  badly  damaging  the  roof.  The  repairs  at 
this  time  cost  $700. 

The  parsonage  was  bought  in  1883  for  $1,500. 

Revs.  O.  L.  Torry  and  W.  H.  Bunnell  went  into  the  ministry 
from  this  church. 

Revivals  of  exceptional  power  occurred  in  1843,  1851-52, 
and  1872. 

Killawog.  The  first  class  organized  here  was  called  the  Union 
Village  class.  In  1843  R^v.  L.  Pitts  organized  a  class  here  of 
thirty  members,  of  which  David  Locke  was  leader.  The  class 
book  of  1847  shows  the  class  to  have  had  twenty  members,  with 
Moses  Livermore  leader.  There  were  no  regular  services,  and 
the  class  was  discontinued  for  a  time.  The  class  was  reorganized 
in  i860  with  Merritt  Hoyt  leader.  This  class  included  Merritt 
Hoyt,  Permelia  Hoyt,  Hezekiah  Grain,  Elizabeth  and  Mary  Grain, 
Cynthia  Wheaton,  Ann  Hitt,  and  Mary  Mucky. 

The  first  class  met  in  the  schoolhouse  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river,  but  the  trustees  forced  them  to  seek  another  place  for  their 
meetings.  For  a  while  they  held  their  services  in  the  Baptist 
church,  but  on  account  of  a  conflict  as  to  hour  of  service  the 
society  went  to  the  house  of  Merritt  Hoyt,  who  made  seats  and  so 


Marathon,  N.  Y. 


555 


arranged  the  rooms  of  his  house  that  all  who  desired  could  hear. 
"From  the  place  where  the  preacher  stood  four  rooms  opened,  in 
which  could  be  heard  the  word  of  God."  The  society  grew,  and 
a  demand  was  soon  felt  for  a  church.  A  meeting  was  held  on 
May  20,  1866,  at  the  home  of  Merritt  Hoyt,  when  the  society  be- 
came incorporated  as  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  Society  of  Killawog."  William  M.  Gowdy  and  Charles  H. 
Phelps  acted  as  judges,  and  Erastus  Johnson,  Calvin  J.  Wheaton, 
William  Lynde,  Caleb  Norton,  Samuel  H.  Phelps,  John  Ballard, 
and  Archibald  Sessions  were  elected  trustees.  A  site  for  a  church 
was  purchased  of  John  La  Grange  for  $125.  Plans  for  a  church 
32x40  feet  and  twenty-foot  posts  were  drawn,  and  the  contract 
for  the  building  let  to  William  M.  Gowdy  for  $1,635.  The  total 
cost  of  lot,  building,  and  furnishings  was  $2,247.  It  was  dedi- 
cated on  January  7,  1868,  Rev.  William  Searls  preaching  in  the 
morning  and  Rev.  E.  Hoag  in  the  evening. 

Merritt  Hoyt,  Permelia  Hoyt,  and  Mary  Caul  were  members  of 
this  society  over  fifty  years. 

Pastorates 

1850,  A.  G.  Burlingame;  1851,  Hiram  Gee;  1852,  O.  L.  Torry; 
1853,  G.  Colegrove;  1854-55,  Wesley  Fox;  1856-57,  W.  N.  Burr; 
1858,  J.  H.  Barnard;  1859,  Joseph  F.  Crawford;  1860-61,  O.  L. 
Torry;  1862-63,  O.  Hessler;  1864-66,  W.  R.  Cobb;  1867-69,  A.  C. 
Bowdish;  1870,  D.  D.  Lindsley;  1871,  George  Comfort;  1872, 
H.  Fox;  1873-74,  Asa  Brooks;  1875,  W.  Bixby;  1876,  H.  V. 
Talbott;  1877-79,  O-  M.  Martin;  1880,  W.  Bixby;  1881-83,  O.  H. 
McAnulty;  1884,  J.  F.  Warner;  1885,  J.  L.  Race;  1886-88,  E.  N. 
Sabin;  1889,  L.  B.  Weeks;  1890,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1891-95,  E.  R.  D. 
Briggs;  1896-98,  F.  D.  Hartsock;  1899-1900,  B.  P.  Ripley;  1901- 
03,  E.  V.  Armstrong. 

McDoNOUGH,  N.  Y. 
The  first  class  in  McDonough  was  organized  in  181 5,  and  in- 
cluded Walter  Oyshterbanks  and  wife  Polly,  Jacob  Nash  and 
wife  Louisa,  William  Allen  and  wife  Susan.  Walter  Oyshter- 
banks was  appointed  leader  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  1847, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Curtis  Smith.  Walter  Oyshterbanks 
was  about  sixteen  years  old  when  his  father,  Adam,  came  from 
Connecticut  and  settled  on  Chestnut  Ridge,  on  what  is  now  the 
Fox  farm.  He  afterward  moved  near  Stuart's  Mill,  where  he 
died.  Walter  married  Polly  Dunbar  and  moved  into  the  edge  of 
German.   Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  class  its  number  was 


556 


Wyoming  Conference 


increased  by  the  addition  of  Mary  Nash,  daughter  of  Jacob  Nash, 
Arthisia  Hazen,  and  Mrs.  Leonard,  the  latter  of  whom  used  to 
follow  a  blazed  trail  on  horseback  to  the  log  house  of  Walter 
Oyshterbanks,  the  place  of  public  worship. 

On  September  29,  1832,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse 
in  McDonough,  at  which  Rev.  James  Atwell  and  Walter  Oyshter- 
banks presided  and  William  D.  Purple  acted  as  clerk.  "The 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Village  of  Mc- 
Donough" began  its  legal  existence,  and  Isaac  J.  Stratton,  Joseph 
J.  Reed,  Thomas  Skillman,  Walter  Oyshterbanks,  and  Elijah 
Gates  were  elected  trustees.  The  incorporation  was  with  a  church 
in  view.  In  October  subscriptions  therefor  were  commenced, 
and  $1,159.50  was  secured.  Among  the  largest  subscribers  were 
Walter  Oyshterbanks,  Isaac  J.  Stratton,  Martin  Dodge,  John  F. 
Hill,  and  Richard  Ray,  whose  subscriptions  ran  from  $50  to  $150. 
The  site  for  the  church  was  deeded  to  the  society  on  December 
15,  1832,  by  John  F.  Hill  and  wife  Frances  as  a  part  ($50)  of  his 
subscription  ($150).  John  F.  Hill,  WiUiam  H.  Bartle,  and 
Richard  Sawtelle  were  appointed  a  building  committee.  The 
building  was  begun  in  1832  and  finished  in  1833,  but  was  not 
dedicated  until  August  14,  1834.  The  mason  work  was  done  by 
Walter  Oyshterbanks,  Micah  Coville,  and  Samuel  Bacheller. 
The  carpenter  work  was  under  the  supervision  of  Moses  S.  Emer- 
son, and  the  joiner  work  was  under  the  supervision  of  Lester 
Tinker.  During  the  erection  of  the  church  Isaac  J.  Stratton  paid 
$333  in  cash  and  also  gave  two  years'  labor,  and  Walter  Oyshter- 
banks gave  $83,  beside  giving  much  time  to  planning  and  super- 
intending the  work.  The  whole  community  gave  toward  the 
project. 

In  1850  the  church  was  painted,  inside  and  out,  and  a  partition 
made  between  the  audience  room  and  entrance.  After  these  im- 
provements a  reopening  service  was  held  on  Thursday,  November 
21,  1850,  at  which  Dr.  Z.  Paddock  preached  in  the  morning,  Rev. 
A.  J.  Dana  in  the  afternoon,  and  Rev.  W.  Reddy  in  the  evening. 

In  1869  the  building  was  again  repaired  and  extensively  im- 
proved at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  The  reopening  services  were  held  on 
Wednesday,  November  24,  1869,  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  being  the 
preacher  of  the  day. 

In  1894  the  church,  which  had  become  somewhat  dilapidated, 
was  thoroughly  repaired,  at  an  expense  of  $1,000.  At  this  time 
Mrs.  Gibson,  a  Congregationalist  of  Norwich,  presented  the 
society  with  a  beautiful  communion  set  and  cloth,  in  memory  of 
her  mother. 


McDoNoucH,  N.  Y. 


557 


On  September  4,  1838,  Isaac  J.  Stratton  and  wife  Rachel  sold 
the  society  a  lot  in  the  village  for  $5.  This  was  for  the  purpose 
of  building  a  parsonage. 

Curtis  Smith  served  as  class  leader  from  1847  ^^"^il  March  30, 
1869,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Francis  T.  Hall. 

Mr.  Milan  Hill,  who  had  been  an  earnest  supporter  of  the 
church,  died  in  the  spring  of  1902,  leaving  by  will  twenty-eight 
acres  of  land  adjoining  the  parsonage,  the  use  of  which  is  for  the 
support  of  the  pastor,  and  $25,000  in  cash,  the  interest  on  which 
is  to  be  paid  quarterly  to  the  pastor  as  salary. 

Smithville  Center  is  situated  about  seven  miles  south  of  Mc- 
Donough.  We  cannot  state  the  circumstances  attendant  upon  the 
rise  of  Methodism  in  this  place.  On  April  6,  1840,  the  society 
gathered  at  the  Cole  Schoolhouse,  the  usual  place  of  worship,  for 
the  purpose  of  incorporating.  Cyrus  Hayes  and  Jeremiah  Potter 
presided,  and  Joseph  J.  Reed,  Miles  Hubbard,  Alanson  Mallery, 
Jeremiah  Potter,  and  Cyrus  Hayes  were  elected  trustees  of  'The 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Smithville."  On  February 
19,  1849,  Alexander  Cummings  and  wife  Abigail,  and  Herman 
Brooks,  in  consideration  of  ten  cents,  deeded  to  the  society  the 
site  for  the  church.  The  church  was  built,  and  dedicated  on 
October  17,  1849,  Rev.  S.  Stocking  preached  one  of  the  sermons 
from  Rom.  i,  16,  and  Rev.  B.  Hawley  the  other  from  Acts  v,  20. 
In  1870  this  church  was  repaired  and  beautified  at  an  expense  of 
$700.  It  was  reopened  on  September  29,  1870.  The  building  was 
again  repaired  in  1890. 

Cyrus  Hayes  was  a  leader  here  for  thirty  years,  holding  office 
with  great  acceptance. 

This  appointment  was  with  Greene  in  1838.  We  are  unable 
to  state  when  it  was  put  with  McDonough. 

We  should  say  that  McDonough  charge  was  first  a  part  of 
Chenango  Circuit,  then  a  part  of  Greene  Circuit,  and  made  a 
charge  in  1841. 

A  class  was  organized  at  Smithville  Flats  on  January  11,  1874, 
with  the  following  members :  Fred  S.  and  Eglantine  Skillman, 
Charles  R  and  Emily  Potter,  Uri  and  Philena  Hazzard,  George 
and  Lydia  Brown,  Jedediah  and  Alzina  Kendall,  Russell  G.  and 
Jane  Card,  Eliza  Hendrickson,  Kitter  A.  Elwood,  Sarah  Barnes, 
Albert  Barnes,  Alice  Card,  Elizabeth  Cowan,  Helen  Rich,  and 
Lillie  Cowan.  On  January  10,  1890,  the  society  incorporated  as 
"The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Smithville  Flats,"  with 
Herbert  D.  Harris,  Uri  Hazzard,  L.  W.  Brooks,  Jesse  Read,  and 


558 


Wyoming  Conference 


Theron  M.  Plulley  trustees.  Evidently  the  society  was  contem- 
plating the  erection  of  a  church. 

The  society  was  with  Greene  until  1879,  when  it  was  put  with 
McDonough. 

The  Baptist  church  was  used  three  years,  the  Universalist 
church  for  a  while,  and  subsequently  the  schoolhouse. 
Work  here  has  been  abandoned. 

Pastorates 

1841-42,  Elijah  P.  Beecher ;  1843,  J.  Atwell ;  1844-45,  B.  Ellis ; 
1846,  George  Evans;  1847-48,  E.  P.  Beebe;  1849,  E.  W.  Breckin- 
ridge, J.  C.  Ransom;  1850,  E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1851-52,  W.  N. 
Pearne;  1853,  E.  D.  Thurston;  1854,  E.  D.  Thurston,  Delos  Pot- 
ter; 1855,  R-  O.  Beebe,  E.  Orwin;  1856,  R.  Townsend;  1857, 
A.  Benjamin;  1858-59,  W.  W.  Andrews;  1860-61,  O.  Ellerson; 
1862-63,  T.  Willis;  1864-65,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1866-67,  A.  C. 
Smith;  1868-70,  R.  W.  Van  Schoick;  1871,  E.  W.  Caswell;  1872- 
73,  McK.  Shaw;  1874,  J.  B.  Chynoweth;  1875-77,  William  Burn- 
side;  1878-79,  I.  P.  Towner;  1880-82,  J.  H.  Taylor;  1883-85, 
C.  V.  Arnold;  1886,  S.  Stephens;  1887,  M.  D.  Matoon;  1888-90, 

C.  W.  Babcock;  1891-92,  I.  C.  Estes;  1893-96,  G.  Pope;  1897-99, 

D.  L.  Meeker;  1900-01,  A.  M.  Colegrove;  1902-03,  E.  D.  Cook. 

Morris,  N.  Y. 

The  society  was  organized  about  1828,  and  was  a  part  of 
Chenango  Circuit.  Meetings  were  first  held  about  one  mile  from 
"Louisville,"  now  Morris,  occasionally  in  a  private  house,  but 
more  frequently  in  a  district  schoolhouse.  In  1838  the  appoint- 
ment was  changed  to  the  schoolhouse  in  the  village  of  Louisville. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  society,  held  in  the  schoolhouse  in  Louisville, 
town  of  Butternuts,  on  February  20,  1841,  over  which  F.  D. 
Higgins  and  Alleij  Tinker  presided,  the  society  became  incor- 
porated, and  elected  John  Gadsby,  Sutton  Pearsall,  Mordecai 
Wing,  Samuel  E.  Barrett,  and  William  Paine  trustees.  The  cor- 
porate name  of  the  society  is  "Trustees  of  the  First  Society  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Louisville." 

In  consideration  of  $100  Mordecai  Wing  and  wife  Hannah 
deeded  the  society  a  lot  containing  twenty-five  rods.  On  this  lot 
the  first  church  was  built  in  1845,  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,000.  In 
1870  $7,000  was  expended  in  the  purchase  of  additional  ground, 
erection  of  sheds,  and  enlarging  of  the  church,  it  being  raised 
and  a  basement  finished,  a  steeple  built,  and  a  bell  purchased. 


Mount  Upton,  N.  Y. 


559 


On  March  31,  1882,  Silas  W.  Murdock  and  wife  Emily  J. 
deeded  the  society  a  parsonage  property  for  $1,000.  In  1886  this 
property  was  sold  for  $900,  and  the  present  property  purchased 
for  $1,700. 

A.  E.  Daniels,  Joel  Davis,  E.  D.  Thurston,  G.  W.  Green, 
William  R.  Lynch,  and  B.  P.  and  N.  B.  Ripley  entered  the  minis- 
try from  this  church. 

Pastorates 

1851,  Walter  Jerome;  1852-53,  D.  Williams;  1854,  H.  S.  Rich- 
ardson; 1855,  J-  W.  Mitchell;  1856-57,  J.  T.  Crippen;  1858-60, 
A.  S.  Southworth;  1861,  A.  E.  Daniels;  1862,  H.  V.  Talbott; 
1863-64,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen;  1865-67,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1868-69, 
John  Pilkington;  1870,  J.  W.  Mevis;  1871-72,  J.  C.  Shelland; 
1873,  W.  G.  Queal;  1874-75,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1876,  C.  G.  Wood; 
1877-78,  J.  S.  Southworth;  1879-80,  William  Edgar;  1881-82, 
L.  B.  Weeks;  1883,  L.  Jennison;  1884,  T.  F.  Hall;  1885-87,  J.  B. 
Cook;  1888-90,  E.  R.  D.  Briggs;  1891-92,  F.  J.  Jones;  1893-94, 
G.  F.  Ace;  1895-98,  L.  Jennison;  1899-1900,  E.  L.  Jeffrey;  1901- 
02,  E.  E.  Pearce ;  1903,  M.  H.  Reed. 

Mount  Upton,  N.  Y. 

Mount  Upton  charge  was  a  part  of  the  Chenango  Circuit  until 
the  formation  of  Union  charge  in  1849,  name  being  changed 
to  Mount  Upton  in  1850.  Mount  Upton  church  is  a  daughter  of 
old  "Union."  Prior  to  1855  the  class  held  its  services  in  homes 
of  its  members,  in  the  schoolhouse,  and  for  a  time,  through  the 
courtesy  of  Bishop  Delaney,  in  the  Episcopal  church.  These 
services  were  usually  conducted  by  the  circuit  preacher,  but  oc- 
casionally by  local  exhorters  and  local  preachers,  among  whom 
were  John  Eastwood  and  Nathaniel  Hyer,  who  are  still  distinctly 
remembered  by  some  of  the  old  residents. 

The  society  met  for  the  purpose  of  incorporation  on  February 
7,  1854.  F.  C.  Place  and  Jerry  Shepard  presided,  and  Jerry 
Shepard,  F.  C.  Place,  Jacob  Stowell,  James  B.  Graves,  and 
Youngs  E.  Stowell  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  Mount  Upton."  On  March  31,  1855,  Jacob 
Stowell  was  elected  secretary  of  the  Quarterly  Conference,  which 
position  he  held  for  thirty  years.  The  following  men  were  pres- 
ent at  this  meeting,  and  voted:  Zadoc  B.  Chamberlain,  C.  S. 
Graves,  J.  D.  Graves,  George  F.  Graves,  Russell  Ford,  John 
Yale,  M.D.,  Jeremiah  Shepard,  Young  E.  Stowell,  Foster  C. 
Place,  J.  F.  Place,  Ur  Hayes,  Darius  Hyer,  Russell  Boyce, 


56o 


Wyoming  Conference 


Cyrenus  Chamberlain,  Charles  Sumner,  Thompkins  Jewel,  Lewis 
Jewel,  William  S.  Moore,  Jesse  Van  Deusen,  John  Lawrence,  Jr., 
Benjamin  Peet,  E.  B.  Kellogg,  Azer  Wood,  JMerlin  J.  Ford, 
Jacob  Stowell,  Joseph  Severns,  Derrien  Shepard,  J.  I\L  Hall,  A.  D. 
Dye,  J.  E.  C.  Mosher,  Gilbert  G.  Palmer,  John  Eddy,  John  Van 
Deusen,  Jonathan  Kinne,  Franklin  Boyce,  Calvin  Chamberlain, 
Clark  Chamberlain,  Colwell  Chamberlain,  William  W.  Green, 
Joseph  C.  Breet,  E.  A.  B.  Graves.  This  number  would  indicate 
that  the  Mount  Upton  class  was  already  one  of  considerable 
strength. 

On  April  i,  1854,  Mary  G.  Secor  deeded  the  society  the  site 


MOUNT  UPTON  CHURCH 


for  the  church  for  $350,  which  was  paid  to  her  in  specie.  The 
contract  for  building  the  church  was  let  to  Messrs.  George  F.  and 
J.  D.  Graves.  The  building  cost  about  $2,000,  and  was  dedicated 
on  Thursday,  January  25,  1855,  Rev.  William  Reddy  preaching 
in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  T.  Wright  in  the  evening. 

There  is  on  file  in  the  county  clerk's  office  the  record  of  a 
second  incorporation  which  occurred  on  April  6,  1863.  Jerry 
Shepard  and  F.  C.  Place  presided  at  the  meeting,  and  Jerry  Shep- 
ard, F.  C.  Place,  Russell  Boyce,  Youngs  E.  Stowell,  and  Ur 
Hayes  were  elected  trustees.  This  was  probably  due  to  neglect 
in  electing  successors  to  the  board  elected  in  1854. 

The  following  minute  appears  in  the  record  of  the  trustees  as 
having  been  enacted  on  March  7,  1864:  "Voted  that  the  trustees 
meet  March  8,  for  the  purpose  of  hanging  a  bell  in  their  church." 


Mount  Upton,  N.  Y. 


S6i 


In  1874  the  church  was  extensively  repaired.  A  basement  was 
built  under  it,  a  new  steeple  built,  and  about  eleven  feet  built  on 
the  front  of  the  church,  all  at  an  expense  of  $3,700.  The  reopen- 
ing occurred  on  Thursday,  August  20,  1874,  Rev.  WiUiam  Searls 
preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  in  the  evening. 
At  the  close  of  the  morning  service  $2,000,  which  was  needed  to 
liquidate  the  indebtedness,  was  "enjoyably"  raised. 

In  1898  it  was  very  evident  that  a  new  church  was  needed,  but 
the  society  did  not  think  it  possible  to  build  at  that  time.  An 
elect  lady,  Mary  Hastings,  a  Methodist,  and  loving  Methodism, 
though  not  a  member  of  this  society,  offered  $1,000  on  condition 
that  a  church  be  built  within  a  year.  The  pastor  circulated  a 
subscription,  and  in  one  week  $3,220  was  secured.  On  October 
27,  1898,  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid,  the  services 
being  held  in  the  Hall.  Revs.  L.  A.  Wild,  B.  N.  Butts,  W.  T. 
Blair,  and  C.  H.  Hayes  participated  in  the  services.  The  corner 
stone  is  of  blue  marble  20x20x12  inches.  The  copper  box  con- 
taining the  articles  was  made  by  W.  E.  Weinsor.  It  contains  the 
following:  Bible,  Hymnal,  Discipline;  Methodist  Year  Book, 
1898;  Wyoming  Conference  Minutes,  1898;  Otsego  Journal  of 
October,  Oneonta  Star,  Norwich  Sun,  Chenango  Union,  Che- 
nango Telegraph,  New  York  Press,  Christian  Advocate,  North- 
ern Christian  Advocate,  Epworth  Herald,  Gospel  in  All  Lands, 
Sidney  Record,  Sunday  School  Advocate;  "Raising  of  the 
Dollar;"  postage  stamps,  i,  2,  4,  5,  8,  10;  2-cent  revenue  stamp; 
postal  card;  50  cents,  silver,  of  1898;  5-cent  nickel  of  1898;  one 
cent,  copper,  1854;  United  States  flag,  silk;  photo  of  interior  of 
old  church;  calendar  of  1898;  Epworth  League  topic  card;  Ep- 
worth League  convention  badge;  picture  of  Battleship  Oregon; 
account  of  corner  stone  ceremonies;  Mount  Upton  Eagle,  pub- 
lished 1870;  lists  of  original  organizers,  membership,  official  mem- 
bers, officers  W.  F.  M.  S.,  officers  W.  H.  M.  S.,  officers  Ladies' 
Aid  Society,  officers  Epworth  League,  preachers,  presiding  elders, 
principal  facts  in  history  of  church,  contributors  to  new  church; 
seventy  individual  passages  of  Scripture  with  signatures  of  par- 
ties contributing  them;  postal  card  from  Rev.  W.  R.  Cochrane; 
a  poem  by  C.  H.  G. 

The  building  cost  $5,232,  all  of  which  was  subscribed  and  paid 
before  the  day  of  dedication.  The  pastor  and  family  gave  the 
communion  table,  and  Rev.  C.  H.  Hayes  gave  the  pulpit  Bible 
and  Hymnal.  The  dedicatory  services  occurred  on  Tuesday  and 
Wednesday,  April  4  and  5,  1899.  On  Tuesday  evening  Rev. 
W.  T.  Blair  preached  from  Matt,  xii,  42,  and  administered  the 

36 


562 


Wyoming  Conference 


sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  On  Wednesday  at  10:45  R^v. 
E.  B.  Olmstead  preached  from  Heb.  xi,  i.  In  the  afternoon  ad- 
dresses were  made  by  Revs.  C.  H.  Sackett,  G.  A.  Place,  and  C.  H. 
Hayes.  In  the  evening  Rev.  J.  E.  Bone  delivered  the  sermon, 
which  was  followed  by  the  dedicatory  service,  conducted  by  the 
presiding  elder. 

A  pipe  organ  costing  $1,400  was  installed  in  1902. 

The  parsonage  was  at  Union  for  many  years.  In  1887  it  was 
sold,  and  the  present  house  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $2,596.  In  the 
same  year  the  sheds  were  moved  to  their  present  location. 

Russell  Boyce  was  the  first  class  leader  at  Mount  Upton,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  over  forty  years.  In  this  period,  how- 
ever, there  were  some  intermissions. 

Union  is  located  one  and  one  half  miles  north  of  Mount  Upton, 
at  what  is  called  Rockwell's  Mills.  Methodism  was  established 
in  Unadilla  Valley  at  a  very  early  date.  Meetings  were  held  in 
private  houses.  The  story  of  the  beginning  of  Methodism  in 
most  places  is  the  history  of  Methodism  here.  Love  feast  tickets 
of  1799  and  1800  are  in  existence,  showing  that  work  was  or- 
ganized and  in  existence  then  in  this  place.  At  this  time  meetings 
were  held  in  the  home  of  Isaac  Boyce,  near  Godfrey's  Corners. 
Mr.  Boyce  subsequently  moved  to  the  farm  now  known  as  the 
Zoerb  farm,  where  services  were  held  for  a  number  of  years.  In 
1803  the  "Eastwood"  society  was  organized,  about  a  mile  above 
the  church,  on  the  Unadilla  side  of  the  river.  John  and  Daniel 
Eastwood  were  the  leading  spirits  of  the  society.  John  was  an 
efficient  class  leader,  and  became  somewhat  noted  as  an  exhorter 
and  local  preacher.  The  services  of  the  class  were  held  in  the 
homes  of  these  brothers.  Meetings  were  also  held  in  the  house 
of  Nathaniel  Hyer,  a  local  preacher,  below  Mount  Upton.  The 
farm  is  now  known  as  the  W.  S.  Moore  farm. 

The  church  was  built  in  1819,  on  land  donated  by  Ezekiel 
Wheeler,  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  Unadilla  Valley.  The  build- 
ing had  been  twice  repaired  when  in  1876  it  was  dismantled. 
Finding  the  frame  to  be  perfectly  sound,  it  was  used  again,  the 
building  being  somewhat  changed  and  modernized.  Memorial 
windows  were  put  in,  and  the  building  was  greatly  beautified,  at 
an  expense  of  $1,275,  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  reopening, 
November  9,  1876,  Rev.  William  Bixby  preaching  in  the  morning 
and  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  in  the  evening.  This  the  first  Methodist 
church  in  Unadilla  valley  is  historic,  and  to  it  many  of  the  other 
Protestant  churches  in  the  surrounding  country  are  indebted. 


New  Berlin,  N.  Y. 


563 


Revs.  S.  Moore,  D.D.,  G.  H.  Place,  Ph.D.,  and  C.  H.  Hayes 

went  from  this  church  into  the  ministry. 

This  church  enjoyed  a  great  revival  from  January  to  March, 
1 85 1.  Two  days  of  fasting  and  prayer  were  followed  by  three 
weeks  of  cottage  prayer  meetings,  ''taking  every  house  in  course," 
and  then,  though  the  attendance  was  small,  the  meetings  were 
transferred  to  the  church.  Three  evenings  passed  before  the 
break  came.  Then  people  rushed  to  the  altar,  and  it  is  said  there 
was  scarcely  an  unconverted  person  left  in  the  community. 

Pastorates 

1849-50,  Lewis  H.  Stanley;  1851-52,  E.  P.  Beebe;  1853,  W.  C. 
McDonald;  1854,  A.  G.  Burlingame,  E.  Orwin;  1855,  A.  G.  Bur- 
lingame;  1856-57,  W.  Jerome;  1858,  Joel  Davis;  1859,  Joel  Davis, 
L.  Sperry;  i860,  L.  Sperry,  H.  Meeker;  1861-62,  E.  D.  Thurston; 
1863,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1864-65,  W.  W.  Andrews;  1866,  S. 
Moore;  1867-68,  W.  A.  Wadsworth;  1869,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1870- 
71,  McK.  Shaw;  1872-74,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1875-76,  E.  P.  Eldridge; 
1877-79,  T.  P.  Halstead;  1880,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1881-82,  N.  S.  Rey- 
nolds; 1883-85,  J.  Bradshaw;  1886-88,  L.  B.  Weeks;  1889-90, 
E.  N.  Sabin;  1891-92,  C.  H.  Sackett;  1893,  E.  H.  De  Puy;  1894- 
98,  W.  T.  Blair;  1899-1900,  E.  R.  D.  Briggs;  1901-03,  F.  D. 
Hartsock. 

New  Berlin,  N.  Y. 

It  is  claimed  that  when  Freeborn  Garrettson  was  traveling  the 
Albany  District,  in  1798,  he  pushed  his  way  as  far  west  as  New 
Berlin.  He  was  probably  the  first  itinerant  to  visit  this  section. 
Just  what  he  found  here,  or  what  he  accomplished,  is  not  known. 
Nor  do  we  know  when  the  first  class  was  formed  here.  It  is 
probable,  however,  that  work  was  developed  here  shortly  after 
the  formation  of  Chenango  Circuit,  and  its  preachers  began  to 
thread  their  way  through  this  territory. 

On  December  17,  1832,  the  society  met  at  the  house  of  Abel 
Judson,  in  New  Berlin  Village  for  the  purpose  of  incorporation. 
Rev.  Lyman  Beach  presided,  and  Abel  Judson  acted  as  secretary. 
Benjamin  Jacobs,  Abel  Judson,  Elisha  Babcock,  John  C.  Bates, 
and  Thomas  Sayles  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  Town  of  New  Berlin."  At  this  time 
Rev.  Lyman  Beach  was  on  the  Brookfield  Circuit,  which  would 
indicate  that  New  Berlin  was  then  a  part  of  that  circuit. 

On  December  29,  1832,  Daniel  Bancroft  and  wife  Minnie,  and 
Lydia  Bancroft,  in  consideration  of  $5  deeded  the  trustees  the 


5^4 


Wyoming  Conference 


land  upon  which  the  church  stands,  on  condition  that  a  church 
be  erected  on  it  within  ten  years. 

The  society  met  on  February  4,  1841,  at  ^Masonic  Hall,  the  usual 
place  of  worship,  and  again  incorporated.  It  is  probable  that  no 
trustees  had  been  elected  to  succeed  the  trustees  elected  on  Decem- 
ber 17,  1832.  At  this  meeting  Rev.  F.  D.  Higgins  and  David  D. 
Dye  presided.  Joel  ^Merchant,  Elisha  Babcock,  David  D.  Dye, 
Theron  Denton,  and  Lyman  Babcock  were  elected  trustees  of 


NEW  BERLIN  CHURCH 


''The  First  Society  of  the  'Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
Town  of  New  Berlin."  On  April  8,  1841,  the  trustees  let  the 
contract  to  build  a  church  to  Uzziel  Thurber  and  Albert  W.  Hill 
for  $300,  the  trustees  furnishing  all  the  materials.  The  building 
was  to  be  36x50  feet,  with  a  steeple  21  feet  high,  and  to  be  finished 
by  September  15,  1841.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  November 
5,  1841. 

Prior  to  this  services  were  held  in  the  old  white  schoolhouse 
until  that  privilege  was  withdrawn.  Services  were  then  held 
under  a  large  elm  tree  which  stood  on  the  corner  of  North  Main 
and  Elm  Streets.   A  number  of  logs  which  had  been  drawn  there 


New  Berlin,  N.  Y. 


565 


served  well  as  seats.  The  society  subsequently  secured  the  use 
of  the  Masonic  Hall,  where  services  were  held  until  the  new 
church  was  ready  for  use. 

The  circuit  was  formed  from  Chenango  Circuit  in  1836,  New 
Berlin  appearing-  that  year  among  the  appointments.  From  1837 
to  1839  inclusive  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  with  Edmeston.  In 
1840  it  again  appears  in  the  list  of  appointments,  and  has  con- 
tinued until  now.  When  the  circuit  was  formed  it  included  New 
Berlin,  Gilbertsville,  South  New  BerHn,  Louisville  (Morris),  and 
Dimmick  Hollow.  The  following  year  Dimmick  Hollow  was 
dropped  and  King's  Settlement  added.  In  1843  the  circuit  con- 
tained New  Berlin,  North  New  Berlin,  King's  Settlement,  South 
New  Berlin,  Holmesville,  West  Hill,  and  Mclntyre  Schoolhouse. 
In  1848  New  Berlin  has  none  of  these  out-appointments.  Find- 
ing themselves  unable  to  support  a  pastor,  Columbus  was  added 
in  1851. 

In  1859-60  a  bell  which  cost  $375  was  put  in  the  belfry.  At 
this  time  the  spire  was  remodeled,  the  pyramid  being  added,  the 
belfry  windows  fitted  with  blinds,  the  church  shingled,  painted, 
and  an  organ  and  Bible  bought.  After  an  expenditure  of  $1,500 
in  repairs  the  church  was  reopened  on  March  10,  1876,  Rev. 
J.  G.  Eckman  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  H.  H.  Dresser 
in  the  evening.  The  interior  of  the  church  was  greatly  altered. 
Stained  glass  windows  replaced  the  old-fashioned  thirty-two- 
light  windows ;  the  pulpit  was  taken  from  the  front  and  placed  in 
the  other  end  of  the  room ;  the  two  doors  in  front  were  closed  and 
a  central  double  door  put  in ;  the  old-style  pews  were  torn  out, 
the  floor  leveled,  and  new  oak  pews  with  cushions  put  in ;  the 
choir  gallery  was  remodeled  and  placed  at  the  left  of  the  pulpit ; 
pulpit  chairs  were  purchased.  The  carpenter  work  was  done  by 
Mr.  Leman  Seymour.  In  1891-92  a  steel  roof  replaced  the 
shingles. 

In  1898  the  church  was  extensively  repaired.  The  building 
was  raised  8^  feet,  and  a  Sunday  school  room  28x34,  a  prayer 
room  22x22,  and  a  kitchen  14x22  feet  were  built  beneath  it.  Front 
and  back  stairways  were  built  leading  to  the  auditorium.  The 
auditorium  seats  three  hundred  people.  A  new  carpet  was  laid, 
and  the  cushions  were  re-covered.  A  steel  ceiling  added 
beauty  to  the  room.  A  choir  alcove  12x13  f^et  was  built  back  of 
the  pulpit.  The  building  was  lighted  by  electric  lights  and  heated 
by  a  new  furnace.  The  cost  of  these  repairs  was  $2,100,  $1,200  of 
which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication.  The  building  was 
dedicated  on  November  30,  1898,  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preaching  morn- 


566 


Wyoming  Conference 


ing  and  evening  and  handling  the  finances.  The  presiding  elder, 
Rev.  C.  H.  Hayes,  conducted  the  dedicatory  service  at  the  close 
of  the  evening  service. 

Mr.  T.  H.  Dakin  sacrificed  much  of  his  time  and  energy  in 
furthering  this  enterprise,  besides  carrying  about  one  fourth  of 
the  expense. 

Agrippa  Butts,  Joseph  Olney,  Milton  Hubby,  Joseph  Gaskill, 
and  W.  K.  Sherwood  have  been  local  preachers  licensed  by  the 
New  Berlin  Quarterly  Conference,  and  Andrew  Spicer,  F.  M. 
Burlingame,  A.  L.  Holliday,  Collins  C.  Hill,  and  William  H. 
Steer  exhorters. 

On  August  5,  1854,  Lyman  Babcock  and  wife  Octavia  deeded 
a  house  and  lot  adjoining  the  church  to  the  trustees  in  considera- 
tion of  $500.  The  house  was  a  small  story-and-a-half  building. 
In  1 87 1  a  two-story  addition  22x24  feet  was  built  on  the  front, 
and  the  old  house  extensively  repaired,  making  an  inviting  par- 
sonage. In  1 89 1  a  large  double  bay  window  was  built  on  the 
south  side  of  the  parsonage,  a  portion  of  the  roof  raised,  and  a 
large  upper  room  converted  into  a  pleasant  study. 

In  1890  Mrs.  Lucy  Chase  bequeathed  the  church  $3,000.  After 
satisfying  the  inheritance  tax  the  society  received  $2,800,  $800  of 
which  has  been  used  in  making  repairs. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  an  important  factor  in  the 
financial  enterprises  of  this  church. 

Cohiiubus  is  situated  six  miles  northwest  of  New  Berlin.  Early 
in  the  century  Methodism  began  to  exert  itself  in  this  place, 
though  no  regular  services  were  held  until  18 16.  In  1805  a  quar- 
terly meeting  was  held  in  Mr.  Underwood's  barn,  with  a  sermon 
by  Rev.  Timothy  Dewey.  The  following  day  a  love  feast  was 
held,  attended  by  a  vast  concourse  of  people,  and  followed  by  the 
services  usual. on  such  occasions. 

In  June,  1816,  a  class  was  formed  which  included  Levi  Jaquith, 
Abigail  Jaquith,  Lydia  Rexford,  Levina  Henderson,  William 
Lottridge,  and  Rhoda  Watson.  The  meeting  at  which  this  class 
was  formed  was  held  in  the  house  of  John  Lottridge.  Meetings 
were  continued  on  every  Tuesday  at  10  a.  m.  In  the  winter  the 
services  were  held  in  Mr.  Lottridge's  house,  and  in  the  summer 
in  his  barn.  At  this  time  Columbus  was  a  part  of  the  Chenango 
Circuit.  At  the  formation  of  Brookfield  Circuit  in  1827  it  became 
part  of  that  circuit,  where  it  remained  until  1851,  when  it  was 
added  to  New  Berlin. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Lottridge  on  Novem- 


New  Berlin,  N.  Y. 


567 


ber  3,  1845,  for  the  purpose  of  incorporation.  John  L.  Carrier, 
Asher  Palmiter,  Joseph  Olney,  George  F.  Blackman,  James  Hill, 
and  Stephen  Fenton  were  elected;  trustees.  Alt  this  meeting" 
Joseph  Olney,  Randall  Richer,  Grant  B.  Palmer,  Benjamin 
Downing,  and  Edward  W.  Breckenridge  were  constituted  a 
building  committee  to  superintend  the  erection  of  a  church.  On 
January  15,  1846,  the  society  secured  by  deed  the  site  for  the 
church  of  Abner  Burlingame  and  wife  in  consideration  of  $75. 
The  church  was  dedicated  on  February  10,  1847.  This  building 
was  extensively  repaired  in  1874,  at  an  expense  of  $1,700.  The 
interior  of  the  church  was  entirely  remodeled,  the  pulpit  changed 
from  the  front  to  the  rear,  an  alcove  built  for  the  extension  of  the 
pulpit  platform;  the  walls  were  frescoed,  new  pews  and  stained 
glass  memorial  windows  put  in.  A  bell  tower  was  built,  and 
about  five  years  later  Mrs.  Helen  Hay  ward  presented  the  church 
with  a  bell.  The  church  was  reopened  on  January  6,  1875,  Rev. 
S.  O.  Barnes,  of  Lowville,  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
J.  G.  Eckman  in  the  evening.  Five  hundred  dollars  was  raised 
during  the  day.  Rev.  Dwight  Williams  was  present,  and  delighted 
the  congregation  by  reciting  some  of  his  poems. 

Pastorates 

1836,  D.  W.  Bristol;  1837-39,  supposed  to  be  with  Edmeston; 
1840-41,  A.  Peck,  F.  D.  Higgins ;  1842,  C.  W.  Harris,  William 
Burnside;  1843,  C.  W.  Harris,  R.  S.  Rose;  1844,  Justus  Soule, 
E.  D.  Thurston;  1845,  Justus  Soule,  D.  S.  Holister;  1846,  L. 
Anderson,  D.  S.  Holister;  1847,  L.  Anderson;  1848-49,  Robert 
Fox;  1850-51,  Michael  M.  Tuke;  1852,  L.  Bowdish;  1853,  E.  P. 
Beebe;  1854-55,  C.  Starr;  1856-57,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1858-59,  M.  B. 
Cleveland;  1860-61,  WilHam  Burnside;  1862-63,  W.  W.  An- 
drews ;  1864,  T.  M.  Williams ;  1865,  E.  D.  Thurston ;  1866,  Orin 
L.  Torry;  1867-68,  M.  G.  Wadsworth ;  1869,  C.  D.  Shepard; 
1870,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1871,  R.  W.  Van  Schoick;  1872,  J.  A. 
Wood,  2d;  1873,  William  Burnside;  1874-75,  L.  A.  Wild;  1876- 
77,  N.  J.  Hawley;  1878-79,  J.  C.  Shelland ;  1880,  N.  S.  Reynolds; 
1881-83,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1884-86,  L.  Jennison ;  1887-88,  W.  Frisby; 
1889-90,  M.  S.  Godshall;  1891-93,  G.  H.  Prentice;  1894-96,  E.  L. 
Jeffrey ;  1897-99,       L.  Andariese ;  1900-03,  W.  W.  Watrous. 

North  Fenton,  N.  Y. 
We  have  been  able  to  secure  all  too  little  concerning  this  charge. 
North  Fenton  was  for  many  years  the  leading  appointment  on  the 
Page  Brook  Circuit. 


568 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  class  was  organized  in  1830  with  five  members,  and  the 
society  was  incorporated  in  1832,  with  Rufus  G.  Christian, 
Ebenezer  Cole,  Charles  Elliott,  Justin  Watrous,  Garrett  William- 
son, and  Claude  Hamilton  trustees.  The  first  church  was  built 
the  same  year  upon  a  plot  of  ground  donated  by  Claude  Hamil- 
ton. The  church  was  built  by  Mr.  A.  Beman,  and  cost  $2,000. 
In  1 87 1  $2,680  was  spent  in  repairing  this  building.  It  was  re- 
opened on  Wednesday,  January  10,  1872,  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin 
preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol  in  the  evening. 
One  thousand  dollars  was  raised  during  the  day's  services. 

Extensive  revivals  were  witnessed  in  183 1,  1849,  i^SSj 
and  1876. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  of  Mr.  Jerome  Baker,  and  has 
since  been  rebuilt  and  enlarged. 

New  Ohio  is  five  miles  east  of  North  Fenton.  The  society  here 
is  said  to  have  been  organized  in  1825  by  Billy  Way  with  eight 
members.  The  church  was  built  in  1844  at  a  cost  of  $800,  and 
seats  two  hundred  and  fifty  people. 

Pastorates 

Page  Brook,  1841,  Lucius  C.  Woodford;  1842-43,  A.  G.  Bur- 
lingame;  1844-45,  P-  Bartlett;  1846-47,  H.  Ercanbrack;  1848-49, 
L.  Pitts;  1850,  T.  D.  Wire;  1851,  M.  Ruger;  1852,  supply(?); 
1853,  William  Round;  1854,  WilHam  Round,  E.  Puf¥er;  1855, 

 ;  1856,  A.  C.  Sperry,  WilHam  Roberts;  1857-58,  L.  Pitts; 

1859-60,  A.  F.  Harding;  1861,  F.  Spencer;  1862,  N.  S.  Reynolds; 
1863,  P.  S.  Worden;  1864,  WilHam  Round;  1865-66,  S.  Earner; 
1867,  P.  S.  Worden;  1868,  L.  Pitts;  1869-70,  E.  Sibley;  North 
Fenton,  1871-73,  T.  Burgess;  1874-75,  C.  D.  Shepard ;  1876-77, 
A.  C.  Sperry;  1878-79,  G.  A.  Severson ;  1880,  E.  R.  D.  Briggs; 
1881-82,  F.  H.  Parsons;  1883-84,  S.  H.  Wood;  1885,  E.  L.  Ben- 
nett; 1886-88,  C.  L.  Rice;  1889-90,  I.  C.  Estes ;  1891-92,  George 
Pope;  1893-97,  D.  W.  Swetland ;  1898,  M.  D.  Matoon;  1899-1901, 
G.  L.  Wihiams;  1902-03,  W.  M.  Shaw. 

North  Norwich,  N.  Y. 

We  are  unable  to  give  the  time  and  circumstances  surrounding 
the  introduction  of  Methodism  into  North  Norwich.  The  society 
became  incorporated  on  May  27,  1849.  Daniel  Cook  presided, 
and  Daniel  Cook,  Thompson  E.  Cook,  WilHam  D.  Sackett,  John 
Chase,  and  John  A.  Cook  were  chosen  trustees,  the  latter  becom- 
ing clerk  of  the  bo^rd,   William  D.  Sackett  was  dass  leader,  and 


North  Norwich,  N.  Y. 


569 


John  A.  Cook  recording  steward.  Meetings  had  previously  been 
held  occasionally  in  the  village  schoolhoiise,  but  in  1849  the  Shaw 
store  was  converted  into  a  meetinghouse,  and  used  as  such  for 
twenty  years.  However,  the  society  was  ambitious  for  a  more 
attractive  place  of  worship,  and  on  March  24,  1856,  a  building  lot 
was  purchased  of  William  D.  Sackett  and  wife  Julia  A.  for  $650, 
on  condition  that  a  church  should  be  erected  upon  it.  The  society 
failed  to  build  the  church,  and  the  sale  consequently  fell  through. 
The  fact  is  evidence  of  the  growing  ambitions  of  the  society  at 
the  time. 

On  May  12,  1868,  the  trustees  of  'The  First  Baptist  Church 
and  Society  in  Norwich,"  now  North  Norwich,  conveyed  to  the 
trustees  of  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  North 
Norwich"  an  undivided  half  of  this  church  and  ground.  For 
this  the  Methodists  paid  $600,  and  by  agreement  spent  the  $600  in 
repairs  on  the  church.  The  property  was  to  be  kept  in  repair  by 
the  parties  mutually,  each  society  "contributing  thereto  according 
as  they  shall  have  used  it."  The  undivided  half  of  the  church 
furniture  was  included  in  the  sale.  This  church  building  was 
erected  by  the  Baptists  in  1802,  and  originally  stood  in  the  ceme- 
tery inclosure  at  North  Norwich,  and  was  taken  down  and 
removed  to  its  present  location  in  1849-50. 

North  Norwich  was  with  Smyrna  until  put  with  King's 
Settlement  in  1873. 

On  December  31,  1900,  the  society  met  and  reincorporated. 
M.  B.  Ludington  presided,  and  J.  W.  Sturges  acted  as  secretary. 
M.  B.  Ludington,  Leroy  HoUiday,  and  J.  W.  Sturges  were  elected 
trustees. 

On  December  19,  1901,  Elisha  S.  Brown  and  wife  Elsie  deeded 
to  the  trustees  of  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
North  Norwich"  the  site  for  the  church  in  consideration  of  $200. 
The  church  built  upon  this  lot  cost,  with  the  furnishings,  $2,000. 
The  auditorium  is  22x40  feet,  having  a  prayer  room  14x20  feet 
on  one  side,  and  a  kitchen  12x14  ^^^t  on  the  other.  A  vestibule 
8  feet  square  opens  into  the  auditorium  and  prayer  room.  The 
memorial  windows  and  interior  decorations  combine  to  make  an 
inviting  room.  The  building  was  dedicated  on  October  30,  1902. 
Rev.  T.  F.  Hall,  D.D.,  preached  from  2  Tim.  ii,  19,  and  in  the 
evening  former  pastors,  G.  N.  Underwood,  G.  G.  McChesney, 
L.  D.  Palmer,  and  A.  J.  Neff,  made  brief  addresses.  Three  hun- 
dred dollars  was  raised  during  the  day  to  liquidate  all  indebted- 
ness. At  the  beginning  of  this  enterprise  the  Methodists  sold  their 
interest  in  the  Baptist  church  back  to  the  Baptist  society  for  $600. 


570 


Wyoming  Conference 


King's  Settlement  is  about  eight  miles  from  North  Norwich. 
The  society  here  became  incorporated  on  March  30,  1835.  Rev. 
Lyman  Beach  presided,  and  Benjamin  H.  King  acted  as  secretary. 
George  H.  King,  John  King,  Jr.,  Abraham  West,  Matthew  C. 
Barr,  Arnold  Shaw,  James  Merihew,  and  Benjamin  H.  King  were 
elected  trustees.   The  society  was  reorganized  on  May  15,  1843. 

On  June  4,  1857,  thirty-two  rods  of  ground  were  secured  by 
deed  from  James  and  Anna  Johnson  for  $32.  Presumably  the 
church  was  built  shortly  after  this.  In  1871  it  was  rebuilt  at  a 
cost  of  $1,500. 

The  parsonage  for  this  charge  is  located  at  King's  Settlement, 
and  is  valued  at  $500. 

King's  Settlement  was  with  New  Berlin  from  1841-43,  with 
Edmeston  in  1845,  and  at  the  time  it  became  an  appointment  in 
1867  it  was  with  South  New  Berlin.  These  facts  indicate  that  it 
has  been  somewhat  migratory  in  its  relations. 

Pastorates 

King's  Settlement,  1867,   ;  1868,  Alvin  W.  Barrows; 

1869,  G.  S.  Hathaway;  1870,  David  Davies ;  1871-73,  D.  Bullock; 
North  Norwich,  1874,  D.  Bullock;  1875,  B.  B.  Carruth;  King's 
Settlement  and  North  Norwich,  1876,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1877,  C.  C. 
Williams;  King's  Settlement,  1878,  C.  C.  Williams;  North  Nor- 
wich and  King's  Settlement,  1879,  Albert  Loomis;  1880,  E.  A. 
Baldwin;  North  Norwich,  1881-82,  C.  B.  Personeus ;  1883-84, 
W.  G.  Queal;  1885-86,  L.  C.  Hayes;  1887,  J.  H.  Beere;  1888-90, 
N.  E.  Bliss;  1891-92,  L.  C.  Hayes;  1893-94,  C.  M.  Olmstead; 
1895,  G.  N.  Underwood;  1896-97,  A.  J.  Nef¥;  1898-99,  L.  D. 
Palmer;  1900,  G.  G.  McChesney;  1901-03,  E.  E.  Barker. 

Norwich,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  in  Norwich  dates  back  to  18 15,  when  Rev.  John 
Hamilton,  one  of  the  preachers  on  Lebanon  Circuit,  preached  at 
irregular  intervals  in  the  home  of  Father  Parker,  about  one  mile 
east  of  the  village.  Here  services  were  held  for  several  years. 
In  1816  the  services  became  regular,  being  held  once  in  two 
weeks,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  G.  W.  Densmore.  His  min- 
istry seems  to  have  been  a  very  successful  one,  the  membership 
of  Lebanon  Circuit,  in  which  Norwich  was  included,  being  re- 
ported in  18 16  as  three  hundred  and  fifty.  In  1863  one  of  his 
sermons  was  still  talked  about,  being  from  a  part  of  Gen.  xxiv,  58: 
''Wilt  thou  go  with  this  man?   And  she  said,  I  will  go."  About 


Norwich,  N.  Y. 


571 


1820  a  class  was  organized  by  Rev.  Reuben  Reynolds,  a  local 
preacher  of  blessed  memory,  and  the  class  meetings  were  held  in 
his  home,  on  West  Main  Street. 

After  a  while  the  society  deemed  it  wise  to  move  into  the  village 
with  their  preaching  services,  and  accordingly  secured  the  use  of 
the  courthouse  for  a  fortnightly  service.  The  society  was  soon 
deprived  of  this  place,  when  the  use  of  the  old  academy  was 
secured.  But  this  was  enjoyed  but  a  short  time  when  notice  to 
quit  was  served.  A  good  brother  fixed  seats  in  the  loft  of  his 
wagon  shop  and  this  room  served  the 
society  until  an  old  schoolhouse,  out 
one  side,  on  West  Main  Street,  was 
secured  for  public  services.  Not- 
withstanding opposition  the  society 
grew. 

On  January  2,  1827,  the  society 
met  for  incorporation.  Rev.  Benja- 
min Shipman  presided,  and  Rev.  Reu- 
ben Reynolds  acted  as  clerk.  The 
meeting  adjourned  to  the  13th,  when 
George  H.  King,  Caleb  Seabury, 
Miriam  Saunders,  Reuben  Reynolds, 
William  D.  Burdick,  Nathan  D. 
Stanton,  and  Thomas  Neverson  were 
elected  trustees  of  "The  First  Society 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Norwich."  At  a  meeting  of  the 
trustees  held  on  January  27,  1827, 
George  H.  King  being  chairman  and 
Nathan  D.  Stanton  secretary,  all  the 
members  of  the  board  being  present, 
it  was  "Voted  that  we  make  an  effort 
to  build  a  church "Voted  that  Rev. 

B.  Shipman  obtain  a  draft  for  said  church "Voted  that  a 
building  committee  of  three  be  appointed,  and  that  T.  Neverson, 
William  Burdick,  and  N.  D.  Stanton  compose  said  committee." 
At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  held  on  February  24,  1827,  Caleb 
Seabury,  George  W.  King,  and  Reuben  Reynolds  were  consti- 
tuted a  committee  to  purchase  a  site  for  a  church. 

Subscription  papers  were  circulated  dated  March  29,  1827, 
which  were  the  basis  for  the  building  of  the  first  church,  and  were 
drawn  payable  in  cash,  neat  stock,  produce,  labor,  lumber,  pork, 
etc.   The  following  are  samples :  John  Reynolds,  $5  in  tailoring ; 


NORWICH  CHURCH 


572 


Wyoming  Conference 


Thomas  Stockton,  $5  in  boots  and  shoes;  Asa  Pellet,  $2  in 
lumber;  George  Field,  $10  in  carpenter  work  or  goods;  William 
Munroe,  when  the  house  is  done,  $5  in  cash,  and  $5  in  pork  or 
grain  in  the  fall  of  1828. 

The  society  was  reincorporated  on  January  27,  1834.  The 
former  corporate  name  was  retained,  and  Ansel  Berry,  David 
Blindbury,  Daniel  Cook,  Hiram  Atherton,  and  Nathan  D.  Stan- 
ton were  chosen  trustees.  Alvin  Torry  and  Nathan  D.  Stanton 
presided  at  this  meeting.  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  held  on 
December  29,  1834,  they  decided  to  purchase  a  lot  of  Walter  M. 
Conkey  for  $500,  and  to  build  a  church  38x50  feet,  with  base- 
ment and  gallery.  The  deed  for  the  lot,  containing  thirty-five 
rods,  was  executed  on  May  2,  1835,  by  Walter  M.  Conkey  and 
wife  Frances,  the  society  paying  $445.33  for  the  same.  On 
March  7,  1834,  the  building  of  the  basement  was  let  to  Ansel 
Berry  for  $200,  and  the  framework  to  Benjamin  W.  King  for 
$300.  The  church  complete  cost  about  $3,000.  It  stood  just 
north  of  the  present  church.  The  church  was  dedicated  in  the 
summer  of  1836,  Dr.  George  Peck,  Andrew  Peck,  and  Lyman 
Beach  preaching  on  the  occasion.  A  bitter  struggle  of  fifteen 
years  then  followed  to  pay  for  the  building. 

Norwich  appears  among  the  list  of  appointments  in  1827.  It 
then  was  the  name  of  a  circuit.  In  1832  it  was  a  two-weeks' 
circuit  as  follows  (we  here  give  a  preacher's  plan  for  his  trip)  : 
Monday,  Oxford,  10:30  a.  m.  and  1 130  p.  m.,  at  Lewis's,  7  p.  m.  ; 
Tuesday  at  Stead's,  7  p.  m.  ;  Wednesday,  Preston  Corners;  Thurs- 
day, McGee's ;  Friday,  Norton's ;  Sunday,  Plymouth,  10 130  A.  m., 
Norwich  4  p.  m.  ;  a  week  of  rest;  Sunday,  Oxford;  Tuesday, 
Southworth's ;  Wednesday,  Bennett's ;  Thursday,  Little  Four 
Corners  ;  Friday,  King  Hill.  In  1836  Norwich  became  a  station — 
that  is,  without  outlying  appointments. 

The  church  was  repaired  and  enlarged  in  1853,  and  again  in 
1863.   In  1867  it  was  improved  and  an  organ  bought. 

The  erection  of  the  present  church  building  was  projected  in 
1872,  and  the  corner  stone  laid  on  May  28,  1873.  Addresses  were 
made  by  Bishop  Peck,  Rev.  Luke  Queal,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  George 
Peck,  D.D.  James  G.  Clark,  the  noted  singer,  sang  a  song.  Rev. 
Reuben  Reynolds,  who  organized  the  class,  was  present  and  gave 
some  reminiscences.  Bishop  Peck  deposited  the  box  of  me- 
mentos and  laid  the  corner  stone.  As  soon  as  the  basement  could 
be  used  the  society  moved  in.  The  basement  rooms  were  dedi- 
cated on  March  26,  1874,  Rev.  H.  Wheeler  preaching  at  2  p.  m. 
and  Rev.  William  Searls  at  7  p.  m.,  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman 


Norwich,  N.  Y. 


573 


conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  The  church  was  completed  the 
following  year,  and  was  dedicated  on  January  14,  1875.  The 
church  and  furnishings,  including  a  $600  bell  and  a  pipe  organ 
which  cost  $2,800,  cost  $49,500.  Of  this  amount  $12,000  had 
already  been  raised,  leaving  $37,500  to  be  provided  for  on  the 
day  of  dedication.  Bishop  Peck  preached  in  the  morning  from 
''Arise,  shine,  for  the  glory  of  the  Lord  has  risen  upon  thee." 
Rev.  William  Searls  preached  in  the  evening.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives 
handled  the  finances  during  the  day  and  secured  $40,100  in 
subscriptions. 

One  writer  in  sketching  the  history  of  this  church  and  referring 
to  the  dedication  says,  ''And  after  that  the  deluge."  Hardly  any 
figure  of  speech  can  fairly  portray  the  struggle  of  the  next  decade. 
In  May,  1878,  the  pastor  and  official  board,  indorsed  by  the 
presiding  elder  and  Bishop  Peck,  issued  a  circular  letter  appeal- 
ing to  the  generosity  of  the  public,  and  stating  that,  owing  to  the 
panic  and  hard  times,  several  who  had  subscribed  liberally  at  the 
dedication  had  become  bankrupt,  and  that  so  many  subscriptions 
were  impaired  that  the  church  was  $34,000  in  debt.  The  condi- 
tion was  serious,  appalling.  In  1878  the  pastor  gave  his  year's 
salary  toward  reducing  the  debt.  Eighteen  hundred  dollars  was 
made  on  two  Niagara  excursions.  Thus  the  society  struggled 
until  in  1884,  after  paying  $14,000  in  interest  and  reducing  the 
principal  about  $5,000,  the  church  property  was  sold  to  satisfy 
the  mortgage,  and  the  society  was  left  without  a  dollar's  worth 
of  property.  At  this  time  the  total  indebtedness  of  the  church 
was  $28,723.20.  The  various  creditors  made  liberal  concessions 
on  condition  that  the  society  should  redeem  the  property.  To  do 
this  $21,235.40  was  needed.  The  Hon.  William  Connell  was  the 
providential  man.  He  told  the  church  that  if  it  would  raise  $10,000 
the  balance  would  be  forthcoming.  The  society  raised  $10,000. 
Mr.  Connell  gave  $7,110.40  himself,  and  secured  $2,000  from  the 
Church  Extension  Society,  $1,000  from  J.  D.  Slayback,  $500 
from  J.  B.  Cornell,  $300  from  Mrs.  P.  L.  Bennett,  $100  from 
Oliver  Hoyt,  $100  from  Payne  Pettebone,  $100  from  L.  D.  Shoe- 
maker, and  $25  from  H.  H.  Brommel,  making  a  total  raised  by 
Mr.  Connell  of  $11,235.40.  On  January  i,  1885,  the  property 
was  redeemed.  On  January  22,  1885,  jubilee  and  dedicatory 
services  were  held.  Rev.  H.  A.  Buttz,  D.D.,  preached  at  2  p.  m., 
from  Matt,  xvi,  15-18,  and  the  evening  service  was  a  thanksgiving 
service  in  charge  of  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise.  For  prudential 
reasons  the  society  was  reorganized  as  "The  Broad  Street  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  of  Norwich." 


574 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1901-02  the  church  was  greatly  improved  at  an  expense  of 
$2,400.  The  organ  was  removed  to  the  rear  of  the  pulpit,  and  the 
choir  loft  placed  between  the  organ  and  pulpit.  A  beautiful  arch 
was  erected  over  the  organ  and  pulpit,  and  the  ells  at  the  right 
and  left  of  the  pulpit  were  converted  into  class  rooms.  The  gal- 
lery was  made  accessible  from  the  auditorium,  a  steel  ceiling  put 
in  the  auditorium,  and  the  walls  were  newly  frescoed.  An 
acetylene  gas  plant  was  installed.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  re- 
carpeted  the  room  and  made  themselves  helpful  in  many  ways. 
These  changes  make  the  room  very  attractive.  Reopening 
services  were  held  on  January  26,  1902,  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D., 
preaching  morning  and  evening.  During  the  day  enough  money 
was  subscribed  to  cover  the  outlay. 

The  years  1854  and  1867,  and  January,  1876,  were  seasons  of 
extraordinary  revival  work. 

Norwich  entertained  the  Oneida  Conference  in  August, 
1839;  July,  1856;  April,  1864;  and  the  Wyoming  Conference 
April,  1871 ;  April,  1879;  April,  1887;  and  April,  1898. 

On  October  8,  1868,  Ansel  Berry  and  wife  Hannah  J.,  in 
consideration  of  $1  deeded  the  society  a  house  and  lot  on  the 
north  side  of  Mill  Street,  valued  at  $743.  The  lot  contained  one 
half  acre.  On  June  14,  1872,  Celinda,  Ella,  and  Catharine  Mead 
conveyed  a  house  and  lot  on  the  east  side  of  North  Main  Street, 
in  consideration  of  $600.  On  June  10,  1874,  Martha  A.  Avery 
and  her  husband  George  W.  Avery  conveyed  a  residence  property 
to  the  church  for  $1,800.  We  are  unable  to  give  the  disposition 
made  of  the  first  two  properties.  The  last  was  used  for  a 
parsonage  until  swept  away  by  the  financial  crisis.  The  present 
parsonage  beside  the  church  was  conveyed  to  the  church  on 
November  14,  1900,  by  Henry  Mitchell,  $4,200  being  the  purchase 
price.  The  society  is  carrying  an  incumbrance  of  $3,000  on 
this  property. 

Pastorates 

1827,  Josiah  Keyes;  1828,  Henry  Peck;  1829,   ;  1830, 

John  M.  Snyder;  1831,  James  Atwell ;  1832,  William  S.  Bowdish, 
Noah  Stowell;  1833,  A.  Torry,  Noah  Stowell;  1834,  Lyman 
Beach;  1835,  Lyman  Beach,  L.  Bowdish;  1836,  J.  Harvey;  1837, 
D.  W.  Bristol;  1838-39,  L.  Sperry;  1840,  J.  P.  Backus;  1841-42, 
V.  M.  Coryell;  1843-44,  W.  H.  Pearne;  1845-46,  C.  W.  Giddings; 
1847-48,  John  S.  Mitchell;  1849,  C.  D.  Burritt;  1850,  A.  J.  Dana; 
1851-52,  D.  A.  Whedon;  1853-54,  D.  Cobb;  1855,  D.  W.  Thurs- 
ton; 1856-57,  E.  Hoag;  1858-59,  C.  Blakeslee;  1860-61,  W.  H. 


Oxford,  N.  Y. 


575 


Olin;  1862-63,  William  Searls;  1864-65,  L.  C.  Queal;  1866-68, 
Thomas  Harroim;  1869-70,  W.  A.  Wadsworth ;  1871-72,  H. 
Wheeler;  1873,  S.  F.  Brown;  1874-75,  W.  J.  Judd;  1876-78, 
H.  M.  Crydenwise  (in  1878  Rev.  C.  A.  Benjamin  was  his 
assistant);  1879-80,  J.  O.  Woodruff;  1881-83,  I.  T.  Walker; 
1884-85,  O.  H.  McAniilty;  1886-89,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft;  1890-93, 
E.  B.  Olmstead;  1894-95,  J.  Bradshaw ;  1896-99,  S.  Moore; 
1900-03,  W.  Treible. 

Oxford,  N.  Y. 

When  the  work  on  Chenango  Circuit  was  opened  it  is  very 
probable  that  Oxford  was  found  by  the  itinerant.  Oxford  was  a 
part  of  the  Norwich  Circuit  for  some  time  before  it  became  a 
Conference  appointment  in  1833.  It  is  thought  that  Methodism 
began  here  about  181 5,  and  that  a  class  was  organized  about  1817 
in  Mr.  Van  Wagenen's  barn,  on  Albany  Street.  The  old  barn 
was  still  standing  in  1880.  Just  how  long  services  were  held 
here  is  unknown ;  and  we  dO'  not  know  the  date  when  the  society 
went  into  the  Academy.  When  it  met  on  September  24,  183 1, 
for  incorporation,  it  met  in  the  Academy,  "the  usual  place  of 
worship."  There  were  at  this  meeting  "the  male  persons  of  full 
age  belonging  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  village 
of  Oxford,"  and  they  met  "for  the  purpose  of  electing  nine  dis- 
creet persons  of  the  said  church  as  trustees,  to  take  the  charge  of 
the  estate  and  property  of  the  said  church  and  to  transact  all 
affairs  relative  to  the  temporalities  thereof."  Rev.  James  Atwell 
and  William  E.  Chapman  presided,  and  Bliss  Willoughby,  Na- 
thaniel Wilcox,  Caleb  Sebury,  Everitt  Judson,  Gardner  B.  Lewis, 
Elias  Widger,  William  E.  Chapman,  George  H.  King,  and 
Daniel  H.  Dudley  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  Village  of  Oxford." 

On  August  3,  1833,  the  society  secured  by  deed  the  old  Oxford 
Academy  and  lot,  paying  $400  therefor.  Here  the  society  wor- 
shiped until  going  into  the  church. 

The  church  was  erected  in  1841,  and  was  40x50  feet,  having  a 
gallery  on  three  sides,  and  a  good  basement.  It  was  dedicated 
on  February  27,  1842,  by  Rev.  N.  Rounds,  presiding  elder  of  the 
district.  The  building  cost  about  $3,000.  "Great  credit  was 
given  to  Isaac  J.  Stratton,  Esq.,  who  was  chiefly  instrumental  in 
bringing  the  project  to  completion."  On  March  3,  1841,  Isaac  J. 
Stratton  and  wife  Rachel  deeded  a  lot  in  the  rear  of  the  church 
to  the  society  for  $500.  This  ground  was  used  for  the  erection  of 
horse  sheds. 


57^  Wyoming  Conference 

On  March  28,  1838,  the  society  met  to  reincorporate.  Isaac 
J.  Stratton  and  Everitt  Judson  presided.  Levi  Sherwood,  Everitt 
Judson,  Isaac  J.  Stratton,  WilHam  E.  Chapman,  Nathaniel  Wil- 


OXFORD  CHURCH 


cox,  Eliakim  Xorthrup,  and  BHss  Willoughby  were  elected 
trustees. 

After  spending  $1,500  in  repairs  the  church  was  reopened  on 
Thursday,  January  24,  1861. 

After  some  considerable  repairs  the  church  was  again  reopened 
on  December  18,  1872,  Rev.  Thomas  Harroun  preaching  in  the 
morning  and  Rev.  Henry  Wheeler  in  the  evening. 

In  1880-81  $1,000  was  spent  in  constructing  a  new  entrance 
with  inside  stairways,  lecture  room,  church  parlor,  and  kitchen 
nicely  fitted  up,  and  stained  glass  windows  put  in  the  front  of 
the  building. 

In  1887  the  building  was  extensively  repaired,  costing  $4,501.43, 
all  of  which  was  provided  for  before  the  day  of  reopening.  A 
twelve-foot  addition  and  two  towers  were  put  on  the  front  of  the 
church.  The  old  galleries  were  removed.  Memorial  windows 
were  put  in  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Mosier,  Mr.  D.  W.  Wil- 


North  Guilford,  N.  Y. 


577 


loughby,  Mrs.  Irene  Lord,  Mr.  George  Rector,  of  Blue  Earth 
City,  Minn.;  Mr.  H.  C.  Roome,  of  New  York  city;  Mr.  G.  P. 
York,  of  Westfield,  N.  Y. ;  Mr.  C.  B.  Dudley,  of  Altoona,  Pa. ; 
and  one  secured  from  a  bequest  of  Aunt  Sally  Sannick.  New 
cushions,  new  carpets,  and  a  new  pulpit  graced  a  room  tastily 
frescoed.  The  building  was  dedicated  on  July  14,  1887.  Rev. 
A.  J.  Van  Cleft  preached  in  the  morning  from  Psa.  Ixxii,  17.  In 
the  afternoon  Rev.  Dwight  Williams  conducted  a  love  feast,  which 
was  followed  by  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  In  the 
evening  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearne  preached  from  i  Cor.  ii,  5,  after 
which  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  conducted  the  dedicatory  service. 

On  Wednesday,  September  16,  1891,  the  church  celebrated  its 
semicentennial.  A  love  feast  was  held  at  10:30.  Dinner  was 
served  in  the  church,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Hogan 
preached,  after  which  the  pastor  read  an  historical  sketch.  The 
evening  was  given  to  song,  and  addresses  by  visiting  clergymen. 

On  January  5,  1848,  Isaac  J.  Stratton  and  wife  Rachel  conveyed 
by  deed  a  property  for  which  the  society  paid  $700.  This  was 
occupied  several  years  as  a  parsonage.  On  March  26,  1857,  St. 
Paul's  Episcopal  Church  deeded  the  present  parsonage  property 
to  the  church  for  $900.  In  1891  the  house  was  thoroughly  mod- 
ernized, at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

Oxford  entertained  the  Oneida  Conference  in  August,  1842, 
and  again  in  July,  1849. 

North  Guilford,  also  known  as  ''Little  Four  Corners,"  is  the 
out-appointment  to  Oxford  charge.  We  do  not  know  when  the 
class  was  formed,  but  services  were  held  in  the  Webb  Schoolhouse 
about  two  years  before  the  church  was  built.  The  society  met  at 
this  schoolhouse  at  10  a.  m.  on  April  23,  1844,  for  the  purpose  of 
incorporating.  Peleg  Arnold  and  Philo  Hoag  presided.  Peleg 
Arnold,  Oliver  Jennison,  Philo  Hoag,  Daniel  Arnold,  and  Joseph 
Wood  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  Second  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Norwich  and  Guilford."  On  April  6,  1844,  Benjamin 
Sheldon  conveyed  to  the  trustees  a  lot  containing  ninety-nine 
rods,  $50  having  been  paid  for  the  same.  He  stipulated  in  the 
deed  that  a  church  should  be  built  on  the  lot,  and  reserved  the 
use  of  a  slip  for  himself  and  family.  The  trustees  met  at  the 
residence  of  Newman  Gates,  on  October  16,  1844,  and  appointed 
a  building  committee  to  cooperate  with  the  trustees  in  the  building 
of  the  church.  The  trustees  also  determined  to  make  a  contract 
with  Squire  R.  Morehouse,  of  Oxford,  to  build  the  church.  The 
building  is  32x44  feet,  and  cost  $1,000.  It  was  dedicated  in  1845. 
37 


578 


WvoMixG  Conference 


In  1879  the  building  was  repaired  and  painted,  and  the  sheds 
repaired,  at  a  cost  of  $300.  About  1880  the  church  was  again 
repaired,  at  an  expense  of  $100.  Since  organization  this  society 
has  been  a  part  of  the  Oxford  charge. 

Pastorates 

1833-34,  H.  Halstead;  1835,  J.  Bailey;  1836-37,  L.  Sperry; 
1838,  George  Harmon;  1839,  H.  H.  Winter;  1840-41,  W.  H. 
Pearne;  1842-43,  L.  Sperry;  1844-45,  ^V.  Bixby;  1846,  L.  L. 
Knox;  1847-48,  W.  Wyatt;  1849,  B.  Hawley;  1850,  Z.  Paddock; 
185 1,  S.  Stocking;  1852,  A.  S.  Graves;  1853-54,  J.  T.  Wright; 
1855-56,  H.  Gee;  1857,  Lewis  H.  Stanley;  1858-59,  A.  T.  Mat- 
tison;  1860-61,  W.  R.  Cobb;  1862-63,  Dwight  Williams;  1864-65, 
W.  C.  Bowen;  1866-67,  W.  G.  Queal;  1868-70,  T.  P.  Halstead; 
1871-72,  S.  F.  Brown;  1873,  F.  L.  Hiller;  1874-75,  H.  V.  Talbot; 
1876-77,  J.  K.  Peck;  1878-79,  S.  C.  Fulton;  1880-82,  L.  W^  Peck; 
1883-85,  J.  W.  Mevis;  1886-90,  A.  W.  Cooper;  1891,  A.  J.  Van 
Cleft;  i89i>4-93,  W.  G.  Simpson;  1894-96,  W.  Frisby;  1897-1900, 
J.  H.  Littell;  1901-02,  E.  Kilpatrick;  1903,  I.  N.  Shipman. 

Plymouth,  N.  Y. 

The  beginnings  of  Methodism  in  Plymouth  are  unknown.  The 
society  met  on  ]\Iarch  23,  1812,  for  the  purpose  of  incorporation. 
Rev.  Ebenezer  White  and  William  Stover  presided.  Darius  I. 
Adams,  George  Wales,  Joseph  Dimmick,  Thomas  R.  Tracy, 
Nathan  Geer,  John  Miller,  and  Adolphus  Simons  were  chosen 
trustees  of  ''The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Plymouth."  The  church  record  gives  the  date  of  incorporation 
as  June  23.  We  follow  the  date  as  recorded  in  the  county  clerk's 
office.  Plymouth  remained  a  part  of  Lebanon  Circuit  until  the 
formation  of  Norwich  Circuit  in  1827,  when  it  became  a  part  of 
that  circuit.  In  1836-37  it  was  in  the  Smyrna  Circuit.  From 
1838  to  1841  Smyrna  and  Plymouth  form  a  charge,  and  in  1842 
Plymouth  appears  among  the  appointments. 

On  October  20,  1821,  the  society  met  at  the  house  of  John 
Miller,  in  the  town  of  Plymouth,  for  reincorporation.  The  cor- 
porate name  taken  in  1812  was  retained,  and  John  Miller,  Daniel 
Monroe,  Nathan  Geer,  ]\Iartin  Sackett,  Joseph  Dimmick,  Darius 
Adams,  and  John  C.  Adams  were  chosen  trustees.  Rev.  Zenas 
Jones  and  John  Miller  presided  at  this  meeting.  It  was  voted  at 
this  meeting  that  their  seal  should  be  marked  with  the  letter  "X." 

On  August  31,  1858,  the  society  met  again  for  incorporation. 


Plymouth,  N.  Y. 


579 


John  Benedict  and  Russell  R.  Sackett  presided.  Asahel  Stewart, 
John  W.  Bennet,  Heth  P.  Young,  Russell  R.  Sackett,  and  Richard 
D.  Taylor  were  chosen  trustees,  and  the  corporate  name  of  the 
society  was  ''The  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  of  Frankville." 
Plymouth  was  known  many  years  as  Frankville,  so  called  from 
the  early  French  settlers  there. 

From  1 812  until  1822  services  were  held  in  summer  out-of- 
doors  or  in  barns,  and  in  the  winter  in  a  schoolhouse  on  town  lot 


PLYMOUTH  CHURCH 


No.  53,  on  the  old  road  between  Plymouth  and  Norwich,  about 
two  miles  southeast  of  Plymouth  and  near  the  house  formerly 
occupied  by  John  Vrooman.  In  1822  the  society  resolved  to  build 
a  church  on  a  lot  seventy  rods  west  of  the  schoolhouse.  A  good 
building  for  the  times  was  put  up,  though  not  ornamented  with  a 
steeple  or  coat  of  paint.  The  project  narrowly  escaped  disaster, 
for,  before  the  church  was  completed,  a  dry  kiln  standing  near 
the  church  was  consumed  by  fire,  and  the  church  was  saved  with 
great  difficulty  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  vicinity.  The  church 
was  dedicated  by  Rev.  George  Gary,  presiding  elder  of  the  dis- 
trict.  This  building  was  used  by  the  society  until  1845,  when  the 


58o 


Wyoming  Conference 


society  built  a  church  in  Plymouth  village.  Rev.  Lyman  A.  Eddy 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  of  this  church.  This  enterprise 
was  hastened  by  the  fact  that  some  members  living  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  charge  united  with  the  Freewill  Baptists  to  build 
a  union  church  on  South  Hill,  about  one  and  one  half  miles  south 
of  the  old  church.  The  preacher  in  charge  preached  in  the  union 
church  as  circumstances  would  permit  until  i860,  when  the  Con- 
ference took  the  southern  part  of  the  charge  and  created  Preston 
charge  out  of  it. 

In  1861  the  church  w^as  remodeled,  at  a  cost  of  $650.  The  pulpit 
was  moved  from  the  front  to  the  rear  of  the  church,  and  a  com- 
modious class  room  built  on  the  rear  of  the  church,  connected 
with  the  auditorium  by  tw^o  doors,  one  on  each  side  of  the  pulpit. 
The  church  w^as  reopened  on  Thursday,  November  7,  1861,  Rev. 
D.  A.  Whedon  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin 
at  2  p.  M. 

In  1872  the  church  was  extensively  rebuilt  and  refurnished. 
The  building  was  raised,  and  convenient  church  parlors  finished 
in  the  basement.  The  auditorium  was  thoroughly  modernized. 
The  whole  combined  to  make  a  very  attractive  country  church. 
The  sum  of  $7,000  was  expended  in  this  renovation.  The  dedi- 
catory services  were  held  on  Wednesday,  January  15,  1873.  Rev. 
B.  1.  Ives  preached  in  the  morning,  and  followed  his  sermon  with 
a  solicitation  of  funds,  securing  $2,700,  enough  to  liquidate  all 
indebtedness.  Rev.  Thomas  Harroun  preached  in  the  evening 
from  John  xv,  12,  and  conducted  the  dedicatory  service. 

The  lot  upon  which  this  church  stands  was  secured  by  deed 
from  William  Towner  and  wife  Diana,  on  August  15,  1844,  for 
$85.  On  June  3,  1850,  Richard  S.  Steward  and  wife  Ellen  sold 
the  society  a  lot  adjoining  the  above  for  $125.  A  parsonage  was 
erected  at  once  and  was  used  until  1866,  when  it  was  sold  to 
John  Mowers.  On  October  6,  1866,  the  present  parsonage  lot, 
containing  one  and  one  quarter  acres  of  land,  situated  across  the 
road  from  the  church,  was  deeded  to  the  society  by  Willard  P. 
Munroe  and  wife  Huldah,  in  consideration  of  $234.50.  The 
present  parsonage  was  built  at  once. 

Lorenzo  Adams  was  Sunday  school  superintendent  ten  years, 
and  George  P.  Cushman  twenty-one  years.  Asahel  Stewart  was 
an  exhorter  forty  years,  and  also  filled  the  positions  of  class 
leader,  steward,  and  trustee.  Joseph  M.  ^lunroe  was  a  class 
leader  over  forty  years,  and  also  acted  as  trustee,  steward,  and 
recording  steward. 

For  nearly  fifty  years  services  have  been  held  with  more  or 


Beaver  Meadow,  N.  Y. 


S8i 


less  regularity  in.  South  Plymouth  Schoolhouse.  Harvey  B. 
Sackett  and  Orin  Sexton  each  served  as  class  leader  there  for  a 
long  time. 

Work  was  continued  at  Frinkville  for  some  time,  the  school- 
house  being  used,  but  is  now  discontinued. 

In  February  and  March,  1885,  Plymouth  enjoyed  a  revival 
which  resulted  in  over  eighty  accessions  to  the  church. 

Kirk  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment,  formerly  called  Steward's, 
five  miles  northwest  of  Plymouth.  A  Sunday  school  has 
flourished  here  a  number  of  years. 

Beaver  Meadow  is  six  miles  north  of  Plymouth.  This  work 
was  established  through  the  faithful  ministry  of  Rev.  S.  A.  An- 
derson. For  many  years  this  territory  was  held  by  the  Christians 
and  Baptists.  In  the  spring  of  1896  Mr.  Anderson  went  to 
Beaver  Meadow  as  supply  for  the  Christian  church.  Some  of 
the  older  members  became  dissatisfied  because  he  was  a  Meth- 
odist. On  October  25,  1896,  he  resigned,  and  left  the  place,  not 
expecting  to  return.  On  November  11  he  was  invited  back  by 
many  who  wanted  his  return.  He  accordingly  returned  and  held 
services  the  following  Sunday,  the  i6th,  in  a  hall.  On  December 
6,  after  hearing  the  Discipline  read,  fourteen  persons  gave  their 
names,  desirous  of  forming  a  class.  During  the  following  De- 
cember and  January  a  revival  resulted  in  forty-five  conversions. 
On  February  10,  1897,  the  presiding  elder  gave  the  class  a  quar- 
terly meeting.  Twelve  received  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and 
forty-three  were  taken  on  probation.  Amid  bitter  opposition  and 
slanderous  reports  the  work  has  thrived. 

On  December  i,  1897,  Asa  Finch  and  wife  Lucina  deeded  the 
society  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  land,  in  consideration  of  $1.  The 
first  trustees  were  Jacob  Bellinger,  Russell  Cobb,  Frank  Tyler, 
Hiram  Howard,  James  B.  Adams,  and  Fred  Lansing.  On  Feb- 
ruary I,  1899,  the  church,  which  cost  $1,000,  was  dedicated  free 
of  debt  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Hayes. 

After  being  served  as  follows  it  became  a  part  of  Plymouth 
charge  in  1902:  1897,  S.  A.  Anderson;  1898,  Smyrna  pastor; 
1899,  Plymouth  pastor;  1900-01,  H.  D.  Ingersoll. 

Pastorates 

1838-41,  with  Smyrna;  1842-43,  Andrew  Peck;  1844-45,  I-  D. 
Warren;  1846-47,  F.  D.  Higgins ;  1848-49,  E.  P.  Beecher;  1850- 
51,  Charles  Starr;  1852-53,  Walter  Jerome;  1854,  A.  Queal;  1855, 
L.  G.  Weaver;  1856,  F.  D.  Higgins;  1857-58,  E.  D.  Thurston; 


582 


Wyoming  Conference 


1859-60,  T.  P.  Halsteacl;  1861-62,  A.  C.  Smith;  1863-64,  C.  T. 
Moss;  1865,  W.  Watson;  1866-67,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1868-69, 
Abijah  Brown;  1870-71,  R.  Hiorns;  1872-73,  E.  W.  Caswell;  1874, 
J.  W.  Mevis ;  1875-76,  L.  C.  Hayes ;  1877,  J.  H.  Barnard ;  1878-79, 
W.  G.  Queal;  1880-81,  A.  M.  Colegrove;  1882,  F.  A.  Dony; 
1883-85,  S.  Stephens;  1886-88,  J.  S.  Southworth ;  1889-90,  H.  G. 
Blair;  1891-93,  W.  M.  Shaw;  1894-95,  R.  W.  Lowry;  1896-97, 
W.  H.  Horton;  1898-1901,  A.  Clarke;  1902-03,  S.  H.  Flory. 

Preston,  N.  Y. 

Preston  charge  was  organized  in  i860,  four  preaching  places 
being  included  in  the  charge — Preston  Corners,  South  Hill,  Evans 
Schoolhouse,  and  East  McDonough. 

The  first  Methodist  services  conducted  at  Preston  Corners  were 
held  by  the  newly  appointed  pastor  to  Preston  charge.  The 
charge  was  organized  on  May  i,  i860,  the  first  stewards  being 
King  Evans,  Lucius  Aldrich,  Calvin  J.  Wright,  George  Evans, 
and  Horace  Corbin,  and  the  first  leaders  were  William  Woodward, 
Peleg  Ashcraft,  King  Evans,  and  David  Baldwin.  The  Preston 
class  secured  the  use  of  the  UniversaHst  church,  and  continued 
to  use  it  until  the  building  of  the  church.  Desirous  of  securing 
a  church  of  its  own,  the  society  arranged  for  the  removal  of  a 
Presbyterian  church  which  stood  at  Preston  Center,  two  miles 
south  of  the  Corners.  There  was  some  dissatisfaction  manifested, 
and  before  the  building  could  be  moved  it  burned. 

The  society  became  incorporated  on  March  13,  1865.  Orville 
Bennedict  and  John  M.  Surdam  presided  at  the  meeting  held  for 
the  purpose  of  incorporation,  and  A.  D.  Burr,  Peleg  Ashcraft, 
and  Hiram  Surdam,  Jr.,  were  chosen  trustees  of  "The  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Preston."  In  consideration  of  $100  Thomas 
Dwight  and  wife,  Alvira  T.,  conveyed  a  lot  five  rods  square,  on 
December  i,  1865.  The  church  was  built  on  this  lot  in  1866,  and 
dedicated  on  October  12,  1866,  by  the  presiding  elder.  Rev. 
W.  N.  Cobb,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Harroun.  The  building  is  30x40 
feet,  and  cost  $2,500.  It  was  supposed  at  the  time  of  dedication 
that  the  indebtedness  was  all  provided  for.  A  shrinkage  in  sub- 
scriptions made  it  necessary  to  raise  funds  in  1868  to  wipe  out 
the  debt.   The  parsonage  was  built  in  1870,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

For  some  years  prior  to  i860  there  had  been  a  union  church  at 
South  Hill,  about  three  miles  north  of  Preston  Corners.  The 
building  was  owned  jointly  by  the  Methodists  and  Freewill  Bap- 
tists, each  denomination  holding  services  on  alternate  Sundays. 


Sherburne,  N.  Y. 


583 


The  Plymouth  pastor  suppHed  the  work  here  until  i860,  when 
the  Preston  pastor  assumed  the  responsibility.  Work  was  con- 
tinued here  until  some  time  in  the  eighties.  The  church  is  now 
in  ruins. 

Revival  services  were  held  in  the  Evans  Schoolhouse,  two  and 
a  half  miles  northwest  of  Preston  Corners,  in  the  winter  of  1859- 
60,  resulting  in  twenty  conversions.  A  class  was  at  once  formed 
under  the  leadership  of  King  Evans. 

Since  1886  the  Preston  pastor  has  supplied  the  East  Pharsalia 
Congregational  church. 

East  McDonough  is  a  class  recently  organized,  work  beingj 
begun  here  in  1902  by  the  Preston  pastor.  In  February,  1903,  it 
was  recognized  as  a  part  of  Preston  charge.  Services  have  been 
held  in  both  the  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  churches. 

Pastorates 

1860-61,  W.  W.  Andrews;  1862-63,  B.  H.  Brown;  1864-65, 
A.  M.  Colegrove;  1866-67,  McK.  Shaw;  1868,  C.  D.  Shepard; 
1869,  A.  W.  Barrows;  1870-72,  A.  Brown;  1873-75,  J.  Hurlburt; 
1876,  C.  C.  Williams;  1877-78,  George  Parsons;  1879,  J-  B. 
Santee;  1880,  T.  B.  Todd;  1881-82,  A.  B.  Eckerts ;  1883,  C.  W. 
Babcock;  1884,  L.  C.  Hayes,  J.  F.  Seaman;  1885,  J.  D.  Safiford; 
1886-87,  N.  E.  Bliss;  1888-90,  F.  J.  Jones;  1891  and  part  of  1892, 
E.  H.  Truesdell;  part  of  1892,  J.  M.  Correll ;  1893,  G.  B.  Wilder; 
1894,  E.  D.  Cavanaugh;  1895-97,  Albert  Clarke;  1898,  J.  J. 
Henry;  1899,  Charles  Lane;  1900-01,  E.  D.  Cook;  1902-03,  L.  L. 
Vought. 

Schuyler's  Lake,  N.  Y. 

The  society  here  worshiped  many  years  in  a  stone  church 
32x46,  which  was  dedicated  March  5,  1840.  It  was  a  union 
church,  costing  $4,000,  and  at  its  dedication  sermons  were 
preached  by  representatives  of  the  Baptist,  Universalist,  and 
Methodist  denominations. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  July  16,  1880,  over  which  Rev.  C.  Sweet 
and  James  Firman  presided,  *'The  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Schuyler's  Lake"  was  incorporated,  with  Theodore 
Huyck,  Israel  Veber,  William  Shaw,  William  Rose,  Norman 
Rose,  James  Firman,  and  D.  W.  Mitchell  trustees.  A  second  in- 
corporation is  recorded  as  having  occurred  on  March  24,  1896, 
with  William  T.  Watson,  Reuben  H.  Hinds,  Norman  Rose,  F.  N. 
Rose,  and  Theodore  C.  Huyck  trustees.  The  lot  upon  which  the 
church  was  built  was  donated  to  the  society  by  Norman  Rose, 


584 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  deed  for  which  was  executed  on  December  21,  1881.  The 
church,  which  cost,  with  furnishings,  $1,400,  was  dedicated  in 
1880,  Revs.  A.  Griffin  and  D.  C.  Olmstead  preaching  the  sermons 
of  the  day.  A  good  revival  followed  the  opening  of  the  church. 
The  building  has  been  kept  in  good  repair. 

Schuyler's  Lake  appears  as  an  appointment  from  i860  to  1875, 
and  was  served  as  follows:  1860-61,  A.  Griffin;  1862-63,  W.  R. 
Lynch;  1864-65,  R.  S.  Southworth;  1866,  A.  Cook;  1867,  H.  A. 

Blanchard;  1868-71,  ;  1872-73,  R.  S.  Southworth;  1874-75, 

H.  B.  Cook.  From  1876  to  1900  it  was  with  Exeter.  In  1901 
the  charge  was  divided,  Schuyler's  Lake  and  Exeter  constituting 
the  Schuyler's  Lake  charge,  and  West  Exeter  and  Burlington 
Flats  constituting  another  charge.  Since  division  Schuyler's 
Lake  has  been  served  as  follows:  1901,  C.  D..  Skinner;  1902, 
S.  L.  Whiteman;  1903,  Floyd  Lesh. 

Exeter  was  incorporated  on  November  19,  1821,  as  ''The  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  in  Otsego  and  Cooperstown,"  with  Elijah 
Babcock,  Calvin  Huntley,  P.  Angell,  Thomas  D.  Mitchell,  and 
Elisha  Shepherd  trustees.  The  first  services  were  held  in  a  barn 
built  by  Thomas  Angell,  on  ''Angell  Hill,"  which  was  owned  by 
David  Angell  in  1878. 

Further  than  this  the  only  information  we  have  received  from 
Exeter  is  that  the  church  has  been  built  a  long  time.  Exeter  ap- 
peared as  an  appointment  in  the  Minutes  from  1838  to  1900,  when 
the  division  noted  above  was  made.  West  Exeter  formed  a  part 
of  the  Exeter  charge,  and  Schuyler's  Lake  was  with  it  some  time. 

Exeter  charge  was  served  as  follows:  1838,  Calvin  Hawley, 
W.  Bixby;  1839,  M.  French,  J.  Soule;  1840-41,  C.  Starr,  J.  T. 
Wright;  1842,  C.  Hawley,  F.  D.  Higgins ;  1843,  C.  Hawley, 
George  Elliott;  1844,  H.  Halstead,  George  EUiott ;  1845,  A.  E. 
Daniels,  H.  Halstead:  1846,  A.  E.  Daniels,  L.  D.  Davis;  1847, 
L.  C.  Rogers,  L.  D.  Davis;  1848-49,  W.  Southworth;  1850,  A. 
Queal;  1851  (with  Edmeston),  A.  Queal ;  1852,  D.  Davis;  1853, 
(alone),  A.  E.  Daniels;  1854-55,  J.  T.  Crippen ;  1856,  John 
Marble;  1857-58,  Samuel  Hill;  1859-60,  L.  E.  Marvin;  1861-62, 
P.  Hughston;  1863-64,  B.  B.  Carruth ;  1865,  L  O.  Bower;  1866- 
68,  R.  S.  Southworth;  1869-71,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1872-73,  A.  G. 
Bartholomew;  1874-75,  with  Edmeston;  Exeter  and  Schuyler's 
Lake,  1876-77,  T.  F.  Hall;  1878,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1879-81,  C. 
Sweet;  1882-84,  M.  A.  Dunham;  1885,  J.  A.  Transue;  1886-87, 
W.  H.  Stang;  1888-90,  L.  W.  Karschner ;  1891-92,  N.  A.  Tisdale; 
1893-97,  A.  D.  Finch;  1898-99,  A.  J.  Neff;  1900,  A.  R.  Burke. 


Sherburne,  N.  Y. 


58s 


Sherburne,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  began  to  gain  adherents  in  this  section  at  an  early 
date.  In  1802  a  quarterly  meeting  was  held  at  ''the  old  Four 
Corners,"  about  four  miles  west  of  Sherburne  village.  This 
section  was  then  in  the  Albany  District. 

William  Stover's  seems  to  have  been  a  favorite  stopping  place 
for  William  Colbert  and  the  itinerants  of  later  years. 

We  are  unable  to  state  when  the  class  was  organized.  That  it 
had  an  existence  and  grew  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  it  became 


SHERBURNE  CHURCH 


incorporated  on  March  6,  1834.  Rev.  B.  G.  Paddock,  one  of  the 
preachers  on  Hamilton  Circuit,  presided,  and  Hermon  Van  Vleek 
acted  as  secretary.  Hermon  Van  Vleek,  Berry  Eaton,  Cyrus  M. 
Dow,  Joseph  Sexton,  and  Alfred  Skinner  were  chosen  trustees 
of  "The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
Sherburne."  This  county  record  is  valuable.  The  society  was  so 
prosperous  as  to  contemplate  building,  else  it  would  not  have 
incorporated.  It  also  gives  us  the  circuit  relation  of  Sherburne 
for  some  time  before  it  became  an  appointment  in  1839. 
The  society  met  at  the  schoolhouse  in  Sherburne  village  on 


586 


Wyoming  Conference 


March  12,  1839,  ^he  purpose  of  incorporating  again.  Rev. 
James  P.  Backus  presided,  and  Ebenezer  Coleson  acted  as  clerk. 
Alfred  Skinner,  Silas  Ames,  Solomon  Cushman,  Gary  P.  Beers, 
and  Nathan  T.  Geere  were  chosen  trustees  of  "The  First  Meth- 
odist Church  in  Sherburne  Village."  The  schoolhouse  was 
probably  the  place  of  holding  regular  services. 

On  March  18,  1839,  Alfred  Skinner,  Silas  Ames,  and  Gary  P. 
Beers  were  appointed  a  building  committee.    The  church  was 


SHERBURNE  PARSONAGE 


evidently  erected  in  1839,  for  on  December  18,  1839,  it  was  re- 
solved to  rent  "one  half  the  slips  in  the  chapel"  for  one  year. 

The  building  was  repaired  in  i860,  and  reopened  Thursday, 
November  15,  i860,  with  sermons  by  Revs.  D.  W.  Bristol  and 
D.  A.  Whedon. 

In  1877  the  building  was  renovated,  made  substantially  new, 
$5,000  being  expended.  The  audience  room  was  refurnished,  the 
session  room  built,  and  an  organ  bought.  The  church  was 
reopened  on  Wednesday,  November  21,  1877.  Rev.  L.  C.  Queal, 
D.D.,  preached  at  10:30  a.  m.,  after  which  he  asked  for  $1,300, 
which  was  quickly  subscribed.  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  preached  in 
the  evening  and  conducted  the  dedicatory  service. 

In  1849  Church  Hill  and  a  section  called  The  Chapel  were 
out-appointments. 


Smyrna,  N.  Y. 


587 


In  1895  the  society  received  $1,300  by  bequest,  which  canceled 
some  annoying  debts  and  freed  the  church  from  embarrassment. 

The  parsonage  was  bought  in  May,  1873,  of  Daniel  and  Palmer 
Newton,  Silas  and  John  Ames,  and  A.  Cook. 

Pastorates 

1839,  J.  P.  Backus;  1840,  H.  Halstead;  1841-42,  J.  P.  Backus; 
1843-44,  C.  W.  Giddings;  1845,  W.  H.  Pearne;  1846-47,  J.  Soule; 
1848-49,  D.  W.  Thurston;  1850,  Selah  Stocking;  1851-52,  P.  G. 
White;  1853,  L.  Bowdish;  1854,  W.  G.  Queal;  1855-57,  A.  G. 
Burlingame;  1858-59,  L.  H.  Stanley;  1860-61,  M.  B.  Cleveland; 
1862-63,  W.  Peck;  1864-66,  M.  G.  Wadsworth;  1867,  L.  Sperry; 
1868-70,  Ira  B.  Hyde;  1871-72,  T.  P.  Halstead;  1873-74,  H.  Fox; 
1875,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1876-77,  W.  G.  Queal;  1878-80,  O.  H.  Mc- 
Anulty;  1881-82,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen;  1883-85,  C.  A.  Benjamin; 
1886,  J.  W.  Mevis;  1887-90,  1.  N.  Shipman;  1891,  J.  C.  Hogan ; 
1892-93,  H.  A.  Williams;  1894-97,  W.  H.  Alger;  1898-1901, 
Thomas  Harroun ;  1902-03,  G.  N.  Underwood. 

Smyrna,  N.  Y. 

In  1816  a  class  was  organized  at  the  house  of  John  Tobey,  and 
consisted  of  eight  members — Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Tobey,  Lilla 
B.  and  Susanna  Wilcox,  Hugh  Cagwin  and  wife,  Mr.  Sebry  and 
wife,  who  afterward  joined  the  Mormons.  Rev.  George  W.  Dens- 
more  was  the  pastor,  and  the  place  was  connected  with  the 
Lebanon  Circuit,  and  afterward  with  the  Hamilton  Circuit. 
Smyrna  Circuit  was  formed  in  1836. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  April  25,  1836,  at  which  Rev.  H.  Halstead 
presided  and  Stephen  A.  Leonard  acted  as  clerk,  the  society  be- 
came incorporated  as  "The  First  Episcopal  Methodist  Society  of 
Smyrna,"  and  elected  Thomas  R.  Tracy,  John  Tobey,  and  Eben 
Dimock  trustees.  This  meeting  was  held  in  the  village  school- 
house,  where  the  society  statedly  worshiped.  Prior  to  going  into 
the  schoolhouse  services  were  held  in  private  houses. 

On  November  8,  1839,  John  Streu  and  wife,  Miranda,  conveyed 
to  the  society  a  lot  containing  one  rood  and  seventeen  perches, 
the  society  paying  $450  therefor.  There  was  an  old  hotel  stand- 
ing on  the  ground  which  was  fitted  up  for  a  place  of  worship. 
This  building  was  torn  down  in  1843,  ^  church  erected  cost- 
ing $1,600.  In  1865  the  building  was  enlarged  by  an  addition 
20x30  feet,  which  cost  $400.  In  1871  the  church  was  rebuilt  and 
enlarged  at  an  expense  of  $5,000,  $2,300  of  which  was  raised 


588 


Wyoming  Conference 


on  the  day  of  dedication.  The  dedicatory  services  occurred  on 
December  27,  1871,  Rev.  Jesse  T.  Peck,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the 
morning  from  Exod.  xxv,  8,  and  Rev.  WiUiam  Searls  preaching 
in  the  evening.  A  revival  ensued  in  which  there  were  sixty  con- 
versions. In  1895  the  church  was  newly  seated  and  decorated, 
at  an  expense  of  $100. 

On  April  i,  1854,  in  consideration  of  $325,  Susan  Shepard 
deeded  the  society  its  first  parsonage.  In  1866  this  property  was 
sold  for  $500,  and  on  April  2,  1866,  a  piece  of  land  containing 
somewhat  more  than  four  acres  bought  for  $1,000.  On  this  lot 
the  present  parsonage  was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $1,400.  About  four 
acres  of  this  lot  have  since  been  sold  for  $400.  In  1897  the 
parsonage  was  repaired,  at  an  expense  of  $100. 

Plymouth  was  with  Smyrna  from  1838  to  1841. 

Pastorates 

Lebanon  Circuit,  1816,  G.  W.  Densmore;  1817,  G.  W.  Dens- 
more,  Elijah  King;  1818,  Dan  Barnes,  Russel  Downing;  1819, 
Wyatt  Chamberlain;  1820,  Ebenezer  Doolittle,  Ira  Brownson ; 
1821,  Zenas  Jones;  1822,  William  Cameron,  Joseph  Atwood ; 
1823,  Isaac  Grant,  Ebenezer  Doolittle;  1824  Orin  Doolittle, 
H.  G.  Warner;  1825,  Seth  Young;  1826,  William  Cameron, 
Anson  Tuller;  1827,  Calvin  Flint,  H.  Halstead;  1828-29,  James 
Atwell,  J.  M.  Snyder;  1830,  William  Round,  Lyman  Beach;  1831, 
William  Round,  Lyman  Beach,  Ebenezer  Colson ;  Hamilton  Cir- 
cuit, 1832,  Henry  Ercanbrack,  A.  Fish;  1833,  B.  G.  Paddock, 
D.  Davis,  L.  Bowdish ;  1834,  D.  Davis,  William  Round,  L.  G. 
Weaver;  1835,  H.  Halstead,  P.  M.  Way;  Smyrna,  1836,  C.  Starr, 
A.  G.  Burlingame;  1837,  C.  Starr,  A.  Brown;  1838,  L.  H.  Stanley, 
J.  Crawford;  1839,  Andrew  Peck,  L.  H.  Stanley;  1840,  E.  Den- 
nison;  1841,  E.  Dennison,  Joseph  Shank;  1842-43,  Justus  Soule; 
1844,  C.  W.  Harris;  1845,  W.  H.  Miller;  1846,  Lyman  Beach; 
1847,  W.  G.  Queal;  1848-49,  M.  M.  Tuke;  1850-51,  Ephraim  C. 
Brown;  1852,  R.  S.  Southworth ;  1853,  Joel  Davis;  1854-55,  L. 
Hartsough;  1856-57,  J.  W.  Mitchell;  1858-59,  W.  Peck;  1860-61, 
J.  Lord;  1862-63,  T.  M.  Williams;  1864-65,  W.  Burnside;  1866- 
67,  John  H.  Hall;  1868-69,  A.  M.  Colegrove;  1870-72,  S.  Moore; 
1873-74,  A.  F.  Brown;  1875-76,  H.  Fox;  1877-78,  J.  L.  Race; 
1879-81,  O.  L.  Severson;  1882,  J.  L.  Wells;  1883-85,  L.  B. 
Weeks;  1886-88,  J.  F.  Williams;  1889-90,  A.  D.  Alexander; 
1891-92,  G.  F.  Ace;  1893-95,  S.  H.  Wood;  1896,  H.  G.  Blair; 
1897-99,  J.  W.  Davis;  1900-01,  A.  J.  Neff ;  1902,  C.  D.  Skinner; 
1903,  G.  W.  Crosby. 


South  New  Berlin,  N.  Y. 


589 


South  New  Berlin,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  sprang  up  in  this  section  early  in  the  century, 
classes  being  formed  at  Holmesville  and  Amblerville.  At  the 
latter  place  a  union  church  was  erected  in  1820,  and  the  Meth- 
odists were  given  the  right  to  hold  services  in  it  one  Sunday  in 
each  month.  On  other  Sundays  they  worshiped  in  the  school- 
house  or  private  houses.  Rev.  Daniel  Burlingame,  a  local 
preacher,  eccentric  but  useful  and  pious,  ordained  by  Bishop 
Asbury  in  1810,  did  great  work  for  God  and  the  church  in  this 
section.  Daniel  Eastwood,  another  local  preacher,  who  died  in 
1837  at  the  age  of  eighty-six,  did  much  to  estabHsh  Methodism 
in  these  parts.  Peleg  Dexter  and  Jacob  Smith  were  class  leaders 
well  known  in  those  days. 

About  1837  the  building  of  a  church  began  to  be  agitated. 
Strife  ensued  as  to  its  location ;  some  desired  to  build  at  Holmes- 
ville, and  others  at  South  New  Berlin.  Dr.  James  Harrington 
offered  to  donate  a  site  at  the  latter  place  if  the  society  would 
build  on  it.  The  proposition  was  accepted,  and  on  October  11, 
1841,  James  Harrington  and  wife  Charlotte  deeded  the  building 
site  to  the  church.  On  January  18,  1841,  the  society  met  for  in- 
corporation. Francis  D.  Higgins  and  James  Harrington  presided. 
Jacob  Smith,  Joseph  Dexter,  Oliver  Leach,  James  Harrington, 
John  Curtis,  Asa  M.  Calkins,  and  Hiram  Adams  were  elected 
trustees.  The  corporate  name  of  the  society  is  ''Trustees  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  South  New  Berlin." 

A  comfortable  church  was  soon  erected.  Since  that  time  the 
building  has  been  twice  repaired.  In  1873  the  repairs  were  ex- 
tensive. The  pulpit  was  taken  from  the  west  end  of  the  church 
and  put  in  the  east  end,  a  new  carpet  was  laid,  a  prayer  room  and 
vestibule  built,  which,  with  some  minor  improvements,  cost 
$1,000.  In  1882  a  bell  and  a  new  organ  were  purchased.  In 
1888  the  building  was  again  repaired,  at  an  expense  of  $560. 
The  repairs  this  time  consisted  in  memorial  windows,  a  new 
carpet,  walls  papered,  and  the  building  painted.  The  reopening 
occurred  on  February  17,  1889.  In  1898  cushions  were  put  in 
the  church  pews,  a  Sunday  school  library  purchased,  water  put 
in  the  parsonage,  and  some  minor  repairs  made,  all  at  a  cost 
of  $125. 

For  a  number  of  years  prior  to  1855  the  pastor  lived  at  Ambler- 
ville. On  March  30,  1855,  the  society  received  by  deed  a  house 
and  lot  of  Levi  Harris  and  wife  Nancy,  the  purchase  price  being 
$600.    The  committee  who  effected  the  purchase  were  Agrippa 


590 


Wyoming  Conference 


Butts  and  J.  E.  Matthews.  Being  unable  to  meet  their  payments, 
the  society  was  obhged  to  let  the  property  go.  In  1870  the  society 
rallied  and  raised  $1,300,  with  which  the  present  parsonage 
property  was  purchased  of  Andrew  Darroch. 

From  1840  to  1843  this  place  was  with  New  Berlin.  We  do 
not  know  how  much  longer  it  was  with  New  Berlin,  but  know  it 
was  during  these  years.  It  was  with  Edmeston  in  1845,  and  very 
likely  longer. 

King's  Settlement  formed  a  part  of  this  charge  for  some  time ; 
it  was  here  in  1867. 

White  Store.  Only  a  name,  but  what  a  name!  This  is  the 
name  of  a  locality  six  miles  east  of  Norwich  and  four  south  of 
New  Berlin.  The  massive  frame  of  the  building  which  gave  the 
hamlet  its  name  was  demolished  in  the  summer  of  1903.  Early 
in  the  nineteenth  century  this  was  a  great  trading  center,  people 
going  from  Norwich  and  Oxford  there  to  trade.  The  place  was 
also  a  social  center.  Here  were  held  the  old-time  "general  train- 
ings," and  the  Fourth  of  July  was  celebrated  with  pom.p  and 
enthusiasm. 

The  old  church  was  built  in  1819,  and  is  standing  beside  the 
cemetery,  in  which  more  than  a  thousand  lie,  many  of  whom  were 
converted  in  the  old  church.  Daniel  and  John  Eastwood  lived 
here  and  had  much  to  do  with  the  early  days,  and  growth,  of  the 
White  Store  society.  The  Mount  Upton  church  is  the  daughter 
of  this  society.  This  place  was  served  from  South  New  Berlin 
until  recently,  services  having  been  discontinued.  What  a  story 
of  toil  and  triumph  might  be  written  of  this  ''mother  of  Meth- 
odism in  all  that  section"  if  only  some  who  are  in  their  graves 
could  speak  to  us.  Alas !  This  like  much  more  of  historic  interest 
is  gone  beyond  recall ! 

Rev.  Agrippa  Butts,  a  local  elder,  was  prominent  in  church 
work  many  years.  Rev.  Y.  C.  Smith,  D.D.,  went  from  the  bounds 
of  this  charge  into  the  ministry. 

Pastorates 

1849-50,  W.  Jerome;  1851-52,  William  C.  McDonald;  1853, 
A.  G.  Burlingame;  1854,  H.  C.  Reddy;  1855-56,  B.  Shove;  1857- 
58,  S.  Wells;  1859,  S.  G.  Green;  1860-61,  W.  Peck;  1862-63, 
William  Burnside ;  1864-65,  S.  Moore;  1866-67,  A.  E.  Daniels; 
1868,  McK.  Shaw;  1869,  W.  R.  Lynch;  1870,  E.  W.  Caswell; 
i87i-72,D.R.  Carrier;  1873,  A.  F.  Brown ;  1874,  R.  E  Hall ;  1875- 
76,  J.  H.  Barnard;  1877-78,  J.  H.  Boyce;  1879,  B.  B.  Carruth; 


Triangle,  N.  Y. 


591 


1880-81,  J.  B.  Santee;  1882,  Cornelius  Sweet;  1883,  C.  B.  Per- 
soneus;  1884,  A.  M.  Colegrove;  1885,  W.  N.  Bailey;  1886,  1.  E. 
Zimmerman;  1887-89,  L.  C.  Hayes;  1890,  J.  R.  Moore;  1891-92, 
G.  B.  Wilder;  1893,  M.  D.  Matoon;  1894-95,  J.  W.  Davis;  1896, 
G.  H.  Burt;  1897-99,  W.  W.  Watrous;  1900,  A.  S.  Anderson; 
1901,  H.  B.  Roberts ;  1902,  W.  Rawlings ;  1903,  J.  J.  Henry. 

Triangle,  N.  Y. 

We  know  nothing  of  the  beginnings  of  Methodism  in  Triangle. 
In  1834  Rev.  William  Wyatt  was  sent  as  junior  preacher  to  Rev. 
William  Pearne,  who  was  on  Greene  Circuit  that  year.  Wyatt 
states  that  the  class  was  small  and  that  he  preached  in  the  house 
of  a  Brother  Chase.  Triangle  undoubtedly  continued  with 
Greene  until  it  became  a  charge  in  1850.  At  the  time  Triangle 
became  an  appointment  it  had  three  classes,  one  at  Triangle,  one 
at  Hazzard's  Corners,  and  one  at  Sap  Bush.  In  1838  the  Triangle 
class  had  ninety-eight  members. 

The  society  met  at  the  schoolhouse  in  Triangle,  the  usual  place 
of  worship,  on  January  25,  1841.  Reuben  Chase  presided,  and 
Nathaniel  Hayes  was  clerk.  Benjamin  Jackson,  Reuben  Chase, 
Elias  Hayes,  Robert  Bliss,  and  Luther  Hadsell  were  elected 
trustees  of  "The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  the  Town  of  Triangle."  Nothing  resulted  from  this  incorpora- 
tion. On  September  19,  1853,  the  society  again  met  for  the  pur- 
pose of  incorporating.  At  this  meeting  William  Baker,  Asa 
Spencer,  Garvin  Hays,  Peter  Johnson,  Daniel  Johnson,  Robert 
Bliss,  and  Jonathan  Strickland  were  chosen  trustees.  A  sub- 
scription paper  was  drawn  by  the  pastor  in  1853,  which  is  still 
in  existence,  stating  that  the  cost  of  the  church  is  to  be  from 
$800  to  $1,200.  A  lot  was  given  the  society  by  Asa  Spencer,  who 
did  considerable  work  on  the  church  without  remuneration.  The 
church  was  begun  in  1853  completed  in  1854,  and  was  dedi- 
cated on  Wednesday,  October  25,  1854,  Rev.  William  Bixby 
preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  T.  Wright  in  the  even- 
ing. The  building  cost  $1^300.  The  church  was  repaired  some 
years  ago,  otherwise  it  remained  substantially  as  built  until  1892, 
when  $640  was  spent  in  improvements.  Modern  pews,  new  car- 
pets and  stoves,  interior  painted  and  papered,  and  exterior  painted 
combined  to  greatly  beautify  the  building. 

Whitney's  Point  was  with  Triangle  a  few  years  in  the  fifties. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Triangle  and  is  valued  at  $600.  In 
1897  the  house  was  improved,  at  a  cost  of  $175. 


592 


Wyoming  Conference 


Itaska  is  five  miles  southwest  from  Triangle,  and  known  for 
years  as  Barker,  and  is  about  three  miles  below  Whitney's  Point. 
This  has  been  a  Alethodist  preaching  place  for  years,  the  services 
being  held  in  the  schoolhouse.  The  schoolhouse  recently  built 
had  been  made  large  so  as  to  answer  for  both  school  and  church 
purposes.  In  November,  1897,  the  society  was  forbidden  the  use 
of  the  schoolhouse,  where  it  had  worshiped  for  years.  The 
society  was  in  consternation,  as  it  seemed  impossible  to  build  a 
church,  and  without  services  the  class  would  disintegrate.  Cour- 
age soon  rallied.  Services  were  held  in  private  houses.  On 
November  24,  1897,  the  society  met  for  incorporation.  Rev.  H.  C. 
McDermott  presided.  Elmer  G.  Westover  and  Charles  H.  New- 
man were  elected  trustees  of  ''The  Itaska  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,''  to  hold  their  office  until  the  next  election  of  trustees. 
Trustees  are  to  be  elected  annually  on  the  first  Wednesday  after 
the  first  Tuesday  of  January.  Ground  was  broken  on  New  Year's 
Day,  and  on  April  8,  1898,  Rev.  H.  C.  ]\IcDermott  dedicated  the 
church,  which  cost  $1,200,  free  of  debt. 

Pastorates 

1850,  David  Davies;  1851  (with  Lisle),  David  Davies ;  1852, 
 ;  1853,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1854,  B.  Shove;  1855,  M.  B.  Cleve- 
land; 1856-57,  W.  Peck;  1858,  L.  M.  Sackett ;  1859,  R-  O-  Beebe; 
1860-61,  T.  Willis;  1862-63,  S.  Comfort;  1864-65,  H.  R.  North- 
rup;  1866-67,  B).  Bullock;  1868-69,  David  Davies;  1870-72,  A.  W. 
Barrows;  1873-74,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1875,  C.  A.  Ward;  1876-77, 
G.  C.  Andrews;  1878,  F.  H.  Parsons;  1879,  A.  W.  Hood;  1880, 
C.  S.  Alexander;  1881,  E.  D.  Tarpenning;  1882,  J.  H.  Boyce; 
1883-84,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1885-87,  D.  W.  Swetland;  1888,  E.^  H. 
Truesdell;  1889,  George  Pope;  1890-91,  A.  Schofield ;  1892-93, 
E.  L.  Jeffrey;  1894-97,  AI.  D.  Matoon ;  1898-1900,  D.  W.  Swet- 
land; 1901,  D.  B.  Wilson;  1902-03,  J.  H.  Taylor. 

West  Exeter  and  Burlington  Flats,  N.  Y. 

West  Exeter  was  with  Exeter  until  1901,  when  it  and  Burling- 
ton Flats  were  constituted  a  charge.  For  a  knowledge  of  its 
pastoral  services  see  Exeter,  on  Schuyler's  Lake  charge. 

The  class  was  organized  about  1830,  and  Calvin  Huntley,  his 
father,  Olive  and  Martha  Huntley,  John,  Samantha,  Noel,  and 
Hannah  Harrington,  and  E.  Taylor  and  wife  were  among  the 
first  members. 


Whitney's  Point,  N.  Y. 


593 


On  July  5,  1839,  Noel  F.  and  Noel  Harrington  deeded  the 
society  a  half  acre  of  ground,  upon  which  a  church  32x45  was 
built  in  the  same  year,  costing  $1,500.  The  trustees  at  the  time 
were  John  Harrington,  Epaphro  Taylor,  Albert  P.  Huntley,  and 
William  Matteson.  This  church  was  burned  on  March  31,  1872. 
The  present  church  was  built  upon  the  old  foundation  at  a  cost 
of  $3,700,  and  was  dedicated  on  November  20,  1873.  Rev.  Henry 
Wheeler  preached  in  the  morning  from  Gen.  xxviii,  17,  and  Rev. 
W.  L.  Thorpe  preached  in  the  evening.  During  the  day  $900 
was  raised. 

On  October  13,  1855,  Noel  Harrington  and  wife  Hannah 
deeded  the  society  a  lot  for  $34,  upon  which  a  parsonage  had 
already  been  built. 

Burlington  Flats.  Work  was  organized  here  in  1871  by  the 
Exeter  pastor,  with  the  following  members:  Levi  Le  Valley,  C. 
Le  Valley,  A.  Thompson,  Mrs.  Price,  Miles  Fenton,  Maria  Fen- 
ton,  W.  C.  Fisk,  Frank  Fisk,  George  Fenton,  Emma  Fenton, 
Cynthia  Fisk,  Philena  Fenton.  On  December  20,  1872,  E.  D. 
Hills  deeded  the  society  a  lot  for  $175.  On  this  a  church  was 
erected  in  1877,  costing  $2,000.  It  was  dedicated  in  1878  by 
Rev.  B.  I.  Ives.  The  class  has  been  with  Exeter  and  Edmeston. 
and  in  1900  it  became  a  charge  with  Harry  Rines  as  its  pastor.  In 
1901  it  became  a  part  of  the  West  Exeter  charge. 

Pastorates 

1901-02,  A.  R.  Burke ;  1903,  A.  J.  Chapman. 

Whitney's  Point,  N.  Y. 

In  1834  Whitney's  Point  was  a  town  of  thirty  or  forty  dwell- 
ings, and  was  a  part  of  Greene  Circuit.  For  a  few  years  in  the 
fifties  it  was  with  Triangle,  and  just  prior  to  becoming  an  ap- 
pointment in  1856  it  was  with  Lisle. 

The  society  was  incorporated  on  April  4,  1843,  with  the  cor- 
porate name  of  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
Town  of  Triangle."  Rev.  Thomas  D.  Wire  and  J.  N.  Brockway 
presided  at  the  meeting  for  incorporation,  when  Levi  Nobles, 
Archibald  M.  Allerton,  Edward  Durfee,  J.  N.  Brockway,  and 
J.  D.  Peck  were  chosen  trustees.  From  the  articles  of  incorpora- 
tion we  learn  that  the  society  usually  met  for  worship  in  the 
"brick  store  at  Whitney's  Point."  This  store  afterward  became 
the  post  office,  and  was  located  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the 

38 


594 


Wyoming  Conference 


Wilcox  block.  This  class  was  with  the  Lisle  Circuit  at  the  time 
of  incorporation. 

On  August  20,  1844,  Mary  Ann  Johnson  deeded  the  society 
thirty  rods  of  land  for  $75.  The  church  was  built  about  this  time. 
On  January  13,  1870,  a  strip  of  land  24x61  feet,  adjoining  the 
above  lot,  was  deeded  to  the  society  by  Asa  Beach  for  $100. 

After  expending  $5,000  in  rebuilding  the  church  it  was  re- 
opened on  Tuesday,  January  12,  1869,  Revs.  William  Searls  and 


Whitney's  point  church 

D.  W.  Bristol  preaching  the  sermons  of  the  occasion.  In  1872 
$1,500  was  raised  to  cover  shrinkage  in  the  dedicatory  subscrip- 
tions and  make  some  minor  repairs.  In  the  same  year  the  church 
was  damaged  by  fire.    The  insurance  covered  the  loss. 

The  bell  in  this  church  is  historic.  It  was  made  by  J.  H. 
Hanks,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in  1833,  and  was  used  by  the  Henry 
Street  Church  of  Binghamton  from  1833  to  1865  or  1866.  About 
1868  it  was  purchased  by  the  Whitney's  Point  church  and  re- 
moved thither.  Becoming  damaged,  it  was  removed  from  the 
tower  on  January  8,  1884,  and  sent  to  the  Jones  bell  foundry  of 
Troy  and  recast.    It  was  replaced  in  the  tower  on  February  11, 


WiLLET,  N.  Y. 


595 


1884.  It  bears  these  inscriptions :  "Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
Whitney's  Point,  N.  Y.,  January  1884;"  "Glory  to  God  in  the 
highest,  and  on  earth  peace,"  also  the  imprint  of  the  foundry, 
and  weighs  one  thousand  pounds.  The  church  was  newly  roofed 
and  frescoed  at  this  time.  The  total  cost  of  repairs  was  $290, 
which  amount  was  raised  on  the  day  of  reopening,  Sunday,  Sep- 
tember 21,  1884,  Rev.  C.  W.  Bennett,  D.D.,  of  Syracuse,  preach- 
ing in  the  morning  and  Rev.  S.  C.  Fulton  in  the  evening. 

In  1 899- 1 900  it  was  so  thoroughly  rebuilt  as  to  bear  no  re- 
semblance to  its  former  shape.  The  sum  of  $4,0(X)  was  spent  in 
thoroughly  modernizing  and  beautifying  the  building.  The 
dedicatory  services  were  as  follows :  Tuesday  evening,  March  6, 
1900,  Rev.  W.  H.  Alger  preached  from  i  Cor.  xvi,  13,  14; 
Wednesday  morning,  Rev.  H.  Tuckley,  D.D.,  preached  from  Psa. 
iv,  6;  in  the  afternoon  Rev.  A.  W.  Hayes,  D.D.,  preached  from 
Heb.  iii,  4,  and  in  the  evening  Rev.  H.  A.  Williams  preached  from 
I  Kings  vi,  7.  During  the  afternoon  and  evening  services  $625 
was  raised.  The  dedicatory  services  were  conducted  by  Rev. 
C.  H.  Hayes  at  the  evening  service. 

The  parsonage  property  was  purchased  of  Alonzo  Collins,  the 
deed  for  the  same  being  executed  on  May  23,  1876. 

Pastorates 

1850,  with  Triangle;  1851-55,   ;  1856-57,  G.  R.  Hair; 

1858,  A.  F.  Harding;  1859-60,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1861,  W.  Silsbee; 
1862-63,  S.  E.  Walworth;  1864-65,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1866-67, 
George  Comfort;  1868,  D.  D.  Lindsley,  J.  Lee;  1869-70,  C.  E. 
Taylor;  1871,  H.  Fox;  1872-74,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1875,  C.  A.  Ward; 
1876-77,  C.  D.  Shepard;  1878-80,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1881-82,  C.  A. 
Benjamin;  1883-84,  L.  W.  Peck;  1885-87,  A.  D.  Alexander; 
1888-89,  J-  B.  Cook;  1890-92,  E.  H.  De  Puy;  1893,  W.  Frisby; 
1894,  J.  B.  Santee;  1895,  F.  A.  Chapman;  1896-98,  E.  R.  D. 
Briggs;  1899-1900,  W.  T.  Blair;  1901,  R.  W.  Lowry;  1902-03, 
Thomas  Harroun. 

WiLLET,  N.  Y. 

The  class  was  first  formed  on  the  Otselic  River  in  the  early 
thirties.  The  minister  from  Cincinnatus  or  point  farther  away 
would  travel  on  horseback  through  the  woods,  preach  in  a  barn 
or  log  schoolhouse  near  the  river,  and  from  thence  travel  on  four 
miles  to  a  little  cluster  of  houses  called  Eaton  Hill.  Here  many 
who  were  afterward  stanch  and  lifelong  members  of  the  Willet 
church  lived :  Peter  Eaton,  Sr.,  a  class  leader  many  years,  Thomas 


596 


Wyoming  Conference 


Crippen,  John  Beckwith,  Ezra  Roberts,  Thomas  Tennant,  Ben- 
jamin Sternburgh,  WilHam  Clark,  EHas  Ives,  Alvah  Hazzard, 
with  their  wives.  Services  were  usually  held  in  the  schoolhouse, 
but  the  quarterly  meetings  were  occasionally  held  in  barns. 

When  Willet  was  made  an  appointment  in  1861  the  Close 
Communion  Baptist  Church  accorded  the  class  the  use  of  the 
church  for  worship.  Peter  Eaton,  Jr.,  a  local  preacher,  was  the 
class  leader  at  this  time.  The  class  numbered  about  twenty, 
among  whom  were  Omri  Sternburgh,  J.  C.  Eaton,  Peter  Eaton, 
E.  J.  Covey,  Lewis  Mooney,  William  Sweet,  Charles  Delevan, 
and  their  wives,  Mrs.  Emily  Greene,  and  Mrs.  Abel  Eaton.  The 
winter  of  1861-62  was  noted  as  the  winter  of  the  great  revival. 
Many  were  added  to  the  church.  The  Baptists  became  dissatis- 
fied and  refused  to  let  the  Methodists  longer  use  their  church. 
The  Presbyterians  kindly  opened  their  doors  to  the  unsheltered 
class.  The  ejection  from  the  Baptist  church  was  keenly  felt,  as 
the  Methodists  had  carpeted  and  lighted  the  Baptist  church  anew. 
An  old  subscription  paper  reveals  the  fact  that  the  Methodists 
contributed  $400  to  help  build  the  Presbyterian  church,  which 
was  then  opened  to  them.  About  this  time  Mr.  Benjamin  Coe 
donated  the  Methodists  a  site  for  a  church,  but  it  was  never  used. 
In  1898  the  Methodists  bought  the  Presbyterian  church,  paying 
therefor  $275.  The  building  was  at  once  thoroughly  renovated, 
at  an  expense  of  $1,600,  which  was  fully  provided  for  on  the  day 
of  dedication,  February  9,  1900.  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D., 
preached  the  sermon  of  the  occasion.  Rev.  J.  F.  Andrews,  pastor 
in  1861-62,  was  present. 

In  1869  the  society  bought  the  Jones  property,  which  stands  by 
the  church,  for  a  parsonage,  paying  $900  for  it.  In  190 1  it  was 
practically  made  over.  An  upright  was  built  and  the  wing  re- 
modeled, at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

Texas  is  four  miles  west  of  Willet,  in  the  Texas  valley.  The 
pastor  organized  a  class  here  in  the  summer  of  1861.  Some  of 
the  members  of  this  class  were  Mr.  Schouton,  wife  and  daughter, 
Calvin  Eaton,  Sr.,  Calvin  Eaton,  Jr.,  and  wife,  James  Vande- 
walker  and  wife,  and  Perry  Gardner  and  wife.  After  the  great 
revival  in  Willet  the  pastor  and  some  workers  from  Willet  began 
meetings  at  Texas.  A  glorious  work  was  wrought.  Christopher 
Leach,  Elihu  Sweet,  Albert  Delevan,  Miles  IngersoU,  and  their 
wives  and  many  others  were  brought  into  the  kingdom.  About 
this  time  Calvin  Eaton  donated  a  site  for  a  church,  and  a  church 
was  at  once  erected.    It  has  since  been  thoroughly  repaired. 


WiLLET  Pastorates 


597 


Pastorates 

1861-62,  J.  F.  Andrews;  1863-64,  T.  D.  Wire;  1865-66,  S.  B. 
Keeney;  1867,  W.  I.  Mills;  1868-70,  A.  F.  Brown;  1871-72, 
William  Bnrnside;  1873-74,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1875-76,  H.  C.  Mc- 
Dermott;  1877,  D.  Personeus;  1878,  T.  Burgess;  1879-80,  F.  H. 
Parsons;  1881-82,  E.  A.  Baldwin;  1883-84,  J.  H.  Boyce;  1885-86, 
A.  C.  Sperry;  1887,  A.  S.  Holland;  1888-92,  D.  W.  Swetland; 
1893,  S.  D.  Galpin;  1894,  P.  F.  Mead;  1895,  J.  M.  Correll;  1896- 
1903,  J.  B.  Wilson. 


598 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  XIII 
HONESDALE  DISTRICT 

Ariel,  Pa. 

Ariel  was  formerly  known  as,  and  is  now  sometimes  called, 
No.  19,  the  number  of  a  plane  on  the  old  Pennsylvania  Coal  Com- 
pany's gravity  railroad.  In  1852,  Rev.  G.  W.  Leach,  then  sta- 
tioned at  Salem,  opened  a  monthly  appointment  on  the  Easton 
and  Belmont  turnpike,  less  than  a  mile  from  Ariel.  The  next 
year  Rev.  C.  V.  Arnold,  on  coming  to  the  appointment,  found  the 
old  turnpike  schoolhouse  cold  and  damp.  He  was  invited  to 
preach  on  his  next  appointment  there  at  the  home  of  Dwight 
Mills,  at  Ariel,  which  he  did  to  a  crowded  house.  There  came  a 
few  days  of  slack  time  on  the  railroad.  All  the  people,  including 
some  Catholics,  were  soon  at  work  constructing  a  preaching 
place.  The  railroad  company  gave  the  lumber,  some  gave  money, 
and  some  gave  work.  When  the  preacher  came  to  fill  his  next 
appointment  he  had  a  new  building  in  which  to  preach.  This 
building  was  finished  shortly  by  the  township  and  used  for  both 
school  and  religious  purposes.  In  this  building,  which  was  torn 
down  in  1896,  were  held  the  best  services  and  the  greatest 
revivals  known  to  the  charge. 

In  1872  this  class  was  placed  on  the  Canaan  Circuit.  A  beau- 
tiful union  church  was  built,  largely  through  the  influence  of 
Judge  Giles  Greene.    It  was  dedicated  in  the  fall  of  1890. 

The  lake  at  this  place  having  become  a  popular  summer  resort, 
and  many  of  the  cottagers  desiring  a  settled  pastor  and  more 
frequent  preaching,  Cyrus  D.  Jones,  of  Scranton,  promised  to  pay 
half  the  salary  of  a  preacher  if  this  might  be  accomplished.  Ac- 
cordingly, in  1896  Ariel  appears  among  the  list  of  appointments. 

In  the  fall  of  1900  the  Methodists  began  an  agitation  for  a 
church  of  their  own,  and  on  October  29  the  society  met  and 
elected  W.  H.  Hazlett,  J.  W.  Andrews,  Jonathan  Brown,  George 
A.  Evarts,  Silas  C.  Bortree,  George  W.  Tisdel,  and  H.  B.  Neflf 
trustees.  Shortly  after  this  plans  for  a  new  church  were 
purchased. 

The  union  church  burned  on  Sunday,  February  24,  1901,  the 
fire  originating,  it  is  supposed,  from  the  furnace.  The  Sunday 
school  had  been  closed  but  a  few  minutes  when  the  fire  was  dis- 


Ariel^  Pa. 


599 


covered.  Services  were  held  that  evening  in  the  school  building, 
the  pastor  preaching  from  Isa.  Ixiv,  ii,  ''Our  holy  and  our  beau- 
tiful house,  where  our  fathers  praised  thee,  is  burned  up  with 
fire :  and  all  our  pleasant  things  are  laid  waste."  The  Methodists 
continued  to  worship  in  the  school  building  until  their  church 
was  ready  for  use. 

On  June  i,  1901,  the  Lake  Ariel  Improvement  Company  deeded 
the  society  a  lot  on  Maple  Avenue  90x150  feet,  the  society  paying 


ARIEL  CHURCH 


$600  therefor.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  a  strip  10x150  feet 
joining  the  first  purchase  was  bought  for  $100,  making  a  lot 
100x150  feet,  large  enough  to  hold  the  church  and  parsonage. 
The  society  was  incorporated  on  July  8,  1901,  with  the  following 
as  trustees :  John  W.  Andrews,  W.  H.  Hazlett,  Jonathan  Brown, 
S.  C.  Bortree,  and  George  A.  Evarts.  The  building  committee 
for  the  new  church  was  W.  H.  Hazlett,  J.  W.  Andrews,  and  the 
pastor.  On  June  15,  1901,  ground  was  broken,  and  the  corner 
stone  laid  on  July  11,  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner.  Revs.  E.  A. 
Quinby,  E.  D.  Cavanaugh,  J.  A.  Transue,  and  the  pastor  made 
short  addresses. 

The  church  is  a  brick  veneer,  finished  in  oak,  has  a  seating 
capacity  of  180,  and  cost  $4,200.  Mrs.  W.  H.  Hazlett  gave 
$1,000  toward  the  enterprise.  The  church  was  dedicated  on 
Thursday,  November  21,  1901.  Rev.  D.  S.  McKellar  preached 
at  2  :30  p.  M.,  from  Luke  vii,  5.   The  sum  of  $2,700  was  needed 


6oo 


Wyoming  Cox  fere  xce 


to  pay  all  obligations;  $2,100  was  raised  in  forty  minutes.  The 
church  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  J.  F,  Warner,  leaving  an  indebted- 
ness of  $600.  The  ladies  served  a  supper  in  the  basement,  and 
in  the  evening  addresses  were  made  by  Revs.  J.  A.  Transue,  D.  S. 
AIcKellar,  and  the  pastor.  The  generous  assistance  of  Mr.  and 
^Irs.  W.  H.  Hazlett  and  ^Ir.  Cyrus  D.  Jones,  of  Scranton,  made 
this  church  a  possibility. 

The  parsonage  is  the  gift  of  ^Ir.  Jones,  the  society  building  the 
foundation.    It  is  valued  at  about  $3,300,  and  was  built  in  1902. 

For  some  years  before  Ariel  was  taken  from  South  Canaan 
Circuit  services  were  held  at  the  Pink  schoolhouse,  two  and  one 
half  miles  northeast  of  Ariel.  It  was  formerly  called  17,  and 
was  a  part  of  Cherry  Ridge  charge  prior  to  being  put  with  Ariel. 
A  Sunday  school  is  maintained,  and  preaching  services  are  held 
biweekly. 

Pastorates 

1896-98,  L.  E.  Sanford;  1899-1900,  L.  E.  Van  Hoesen;  1901- 
03,  G.  A.  Bell. 

Arlington,  Pa. 

This  charge  was  called  Paupack  many  years.  When  the  Con- 
ference was  organized  in  1852  it  was  a  part  of  Cherr}^  Ridge 
charge,  and  remained  there  until  Paupack  charge  was  formed  in 
i860.  It,  however,  was  a  part  of  Salem  Circuit  prior  to  1852. 
Hemlock  Hollow,  or  Purdytown,  is  the  central  or  leading  point 
on  the  charge.  The  church  here  was  built  by  the  Baptists  in 
1845,  and  purchased  by  the  Methodists  a  few  years  later. 

The  court  granted  a  charter  to  "The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Purdyville"  on  December  16,  1853.  constituting  Eli 
Utt,  Peter  Fish,  George  Williams.  Uriah  ^^'illiams,  Henry  H. 
Barttison  trustees.  This  incorporation  indicates  about  the  time 
the  church  was  purchased. 

The  lot  for  the  parsonage  was  bought  of  R.  R.  Purdy  and  wife 
for  $400,  and  the  parsonage  built  in  1875,  at  a  cost  of  $800. 

Arlington,  sometimes  called  RoUison's,  is  about  five  miles  west 
of  Hemlock  Hollow.  Services  here  were  first  held  in  William 
Dayton's  house  prior  to  going  into  the  schoolhouse.  The  first 
schoolhouse  used  for  worship  was  built  of  logs,  situated  near  the 
lane  that  comes  to  the  road  from  Arthur  Rollison's  house.  The 
second  schoolhouse  used  by  the  society  was  a  few  rods  east  of 
the  church.    Nathan  Rollison  was  the  first  class  leader. 

The  lot  for  the  church  was  donated  by  James  Osborne.  The 


Arlington,  Pa. 


6oi 


corner  stone  was  laid  on  Saturday,  June  20,  1885,  at  2:30  p.  m., 
by  Rev.  W.  M.  Hiller.  The  church,  which  is  called  the  Centenary 
church,  is  24x40,  with  a  lecture  room  14x24,  and  a  tower  40  feet 
high.  The  building  cost  $1,800,  and  was  dedicated  on  Thursday, 
December  17,  1885.  Rev.  J.  O.  Woodruff  preached  at  10:30 
A.  M.,  and  Rev.  W.  L.  Thorpe  at  7:30  p.  m.  Rev.  W.  M.  Hiller 
conducted  the  dedicatory  services.  The  Church  Extension 
Society  gave  this  society  $250  toward  the  project. 

Paupack  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  four  miles  south  of 
Hemlock  Hollow,  and  has  been  sustained  many  years.  Rev. 
Gideon  Draper  preached  at  Squire  Chapman's  house  in  this  place 
in  1807.  It  became  a  regular  preaching  place  on  the  Canaan 
Circuit.   Quite  a  revival  occurred  under  the  labors  of  Mr.  Draper. 

Ledgedale  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  situated  four  miles 
southwest  of  Hemlock  Hollow.  Services  have  been  maintained 
here  a  long  time. 

The  first  year  of  the  circuit's  history  it  paid  the  preacher  $135, 
to  which  the  Missionary  Society  added  $25. 

In  1862  the  circuit  was  supplied  by  the  Sterling  and  Cherry 
Ridge  pastors. 

In  1864  the  pastor,  Rev.  W.  H.  Gavitt,  was  drafted  for  service 
in  the  army,  and  Rev.  E.  Killam  finished  out  the  year  for  him. 

In  June  of  1868  Rev.  R.  E.  Hall's  health  failed,  and  Rev.  M.  D. 
Fuller  was  sent  to  fill  out  the  year. 

Revivals  from  year  to  year  have  gradually  strengthened  the 
circuit. 

Pastorates 

i860,  Gabriel  Westfall ;  1861,  H.  Stanley;  1862,  ;  1863- 

64,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1865-66,  Gabriel  Westfall;  1867-68,  R.  E. 
Hall;  1869,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1870-71,  G.  T.  Price;  1872,  C  W. 
Blake;  1873,  G.  W.  Robinson;  1874-75,  S.  Jay;  1876-77,  J. 
Durham;  1878-79,  A.  B.  Eckerts ;  1880-82,  D.  A.  Sanford ;  1883- 
85,  C.  L.  Rice;  1886-88,  J.  A.  Transue ;  1889,  A.  Schofield ;  1890, 
J.  W.  Harrison;  1891,  John  Davy;  1892,  J.  H.  Perry;  1893-97, 
J.  G.  Raymond ;  1898,  H.  J.  Heineman ;  1899,  W.  Rawlings ;  1900- 
02,  W.  B.  Signor ;  1903,  Walter  Walker. 

Beach  Lake,  Pa. 

The  society  at  Beach  Pond  was  organized  in  1840,  James 
Smith,  Moses  Tyler,  George  Bush,  George  Spettigue,  Frances 
Stephens,  William  Olver,  Edward  Haines,  and  Richard  Male 


6o2 


Wyoming  Conference 


being  constituent  members.  At  this  time  what  work  was  done 
here  was  under  the  supervision  of  Revs.  J.  O.  Boswell  and  E. 
Owen,  pastors  of  the  Bethany  and  Honesdale  charge.  A  local 
preacher  by  the  name  of  Curtis  A.  Stoddard,  living  at  Bethany, 
used  frequently  to  walk  to  Beach  Pond  to  preach,,  and  that  with- 
out fee.  In  1841  Rev.  Perry  G.  White,  pastor  at  Honesdale,  had 
supervision  of  this  territory,  and  in  1842  the  appointment  is  called 
Honesdale  and  Beach  Pond,  with  Perry  G.  White  pastor.  In  1843 
Beach  Pond  Circuit  appears  among  the  appointments.    It  in- 


BEACH  LAKE  CHURCH 


eluded  what  was  afterward  the  Carley  Brook,  Damascus,  Nar- 
rowsburg,  and  part  of  the  present  Beach  Lake  charges.  The 
circuit  was  about  sixteen  miles  wide  from  east  to  west,  and 
George  W.  Leach  said,  'Its  north  and  south  limits  might  have 
been  one  hundred  miles  apart  without  interfering  with  any  other 
charge."  Much  of  the  territory  was  covered  with  a  dense  growth 
of  hemlock,  at  that  time  of  no  value  unless  it  was  near  the  Dela- 
ware River.  ^Meetings  were  held  in  the  house  of  Edward  Mar- 
shall, Sr. 

A  parsonage  was  built  in  1844  by  Rev.  John  Barns,  who  re- 
sided in  a  very  inferior  house  about  four  miles  from  Vine  Hill. 


Beach  Lake,  Pa. 


603 


He  worked  so  hard  in  excavating  the  cellar  that  his  death,  soon 
after,  was  attributed  to  overwork. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  given  the  society  in  1850  by  Mr. 
George  Wells,  and  the  church  erected  the  same  year  at  a  cost  of 
$2,000.  It  was  dedicated  on  November  14,  1850,  at  11  a.  m..  Rev. 
George  Peck  preaching  the  sermon. 

This  church  was  repaired  several  times,  but  more  extensively 
in  1901.  Four  hundred  dollars  was  spent  in  steel  ceiling,  new 
pews,  wainscoting,  and  minor  repairs,  all  of  which  amount  was 
raised  prior  to  the  reopening.  The  pastor  prepared  an  elaborate 
program  for  the  occasion.  Rev.  A.  F.  Chaffee  was  to  lecture  on 
the  evening  of  February  21,  1902.  Saturday  evening,  the  22d, 
Rev.  W.  H.  Hiller  was  to  lecture  on  George  Washington.  On 
Sunday  Rev.  Mr.  Hiller  was  to  preach  in  the  morning,  and  Rev. 
G.  M.  Bell  in  the  evening,  and  on  Monday  evening,  the  24th,  the 
choir  of  the  Honesdale  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  to  give 
a  concert.  On  Friday  a  heavy  snowstorm  began,  which,  before  it 
stopped,  covered  the  ground  with  three  feet  of  snow,  rendering 
the  roads  impassable,  so  that  the  first  lecture  was  the  only  one 
realized.  Being  snowed  in.  Rev.  Mr.  Chaffee  was  forced  to  pro- 
tract his  stay,  and  preached  on  Sunday  to  such  as  were  brave 
enough  to  wade  through  the  snow  to  the  church. 

The  parsonage  stands  near  the  church  on  a  large  plot  of  ground. 
It  was  bought  of  a  widow  for  $600.  The  first  parsonage,  being 
away  from  the  church  some  miles,  was  sold. 

There  is  an  old  church  at  Vine  Hill  which  was  dedicated  by 
Rev.  William  Wyatt  on  May  16,  1861.   This  is  no  longer  used. 

The  years  1856,  1868-69,  and  1886  are  memorable  because  of 
extensive  revivals. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Ferris  died  at  Beach  Lake  on  December  17, 
1846.  The  people  of  the  charge  defrayed  the  expenses  of  his 
sickness  and  burial,  and  erected  a  marble  stone  at  his  grave  in 
Vine  Hill  Cemetery. 

George  Wells  served  as  class  leader  here  twenty-seven  years. 
After  his  death  George  Olver  was  appointed  and  has  served  thirty 
years.  Richard  Olver  was  the  first  Sunday  school  superintendent 
and  served  twenty  years.  George  Olver  served  the  Sunday  school 
in  this  capacity  twenty-two  years.  Joseph  Olver  has  been  a  trus- 
tee over  fifteen  years,  and  is  the  only  trustee  who  has  served 
so  long. 

Jonathan  Spry  went  from  this  church  into  the  ministry,  and  is 
now  preaching  in  Iowa.  J.  W.  Tamblyn,  who  is-  now  in  the 
ministry  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  is  a  son  of  this  church. 


6o4 


Wyoming  Conference 


White  Mills  appointment  was  founded  by  Rev.  G.  A.  Cure. 
While  he  was  stationed  at  Hawley  he  began  services  on  Sunday 
afternoons,  holding  them  in  the  old  schoolhouse,  which  is  now 
remodeled  into  a  dwelling  and  stands  directly  opposite  the  church. 
The  church  cost  $i,8oo,  and  was  dedicated  in  the  spring  of  1891. 


i 


WHITE  MILLS  CHURCH 


Mr.  Dorflinger  gave  $500  toward  the  enterprise.  The  church 
freed  itself  from  debt  in  the  winter  of  1898.  From  1898- 1900 
new  sheds  were  built  costing  $140,  a  new  bell  purchased  costing 
$70,  and  the  church  painted.  The  trustees  of  this  church  are 
J.  Wesley  Toms,  Lyman  Garrett,  E.  A.  Wood,  L.  A.  Williams, 
and  George  Silsby. 

Bethel  Schoolhouse  is  an  out-appointment  where  there  have 
been  services  over  forty  years.  At  one  time  the  Baptists  alter- 
nated with  the  Methodists  in  holding  services.  Of  late  the  Meth- 
odists have  had  the  field  exclusively.  Services  are  held  every 
Sunday  at  1 130  p.  m.   The  class  is  not  strong,  but  is  persistent. 

Pastorates 

1843-44,  John  Barns;  1845,  E.  A.  Young;  1846,  Benjamin 

Ferris;  1847,  C.  Perkins;  1848,    Morse;  1849,  G.  ^1.  Peck; 

1850-51,  J.  D.  Safford,  Abel  Barker;  1852,  E.  Smith,  J.  S.  David; 


Bethany,  Pa. 


605 


1853,  E.  Smith,  M.  Carrier;  1854,  C.  E.  Taylor,  D.  Gorham;  1855, 
C.  E.  Taylor;  1856-57,  E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1858-59,  S.  Earner; 
1860-61,  William  Shelp ;  1862-63,  Williams;  1864,  J.  F. 
Wilbur;  1865-67,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1868-69,  J-  L.  Race;  1870-72, 
George  C.  Hart;  1873,  F.  Gendall ;  1874-75,  R.  C.  Gill;  1876-77, 
P.  M.  Mott;  1878-80,  W.  R.  Netherton;  1881,  A.  E.  Loomis; 
1882,  C.  G.  Wood;  1883,  J.  A.  Faulkner;  1884-85,  J.  R.  Allen; 
1886,  W.  H.  Hiller;  1887-88,  H.  A.  Blanchard ;  1889,  J.  A. 
Transue;  1890,  C.  W.  Todd;  1891-94,  B.  F.  Larabee;  1895,  M.  S. 
Buckingham;  1896-97,  A.  C.  Brackenbury;  1898-1901,  D.  S.  Mac- 
Kellar;  1902,  L.  D.  Tyler,  J.  M.  Coleman;  1903,  J.  M.  Coleman. 
In  1902  L.  D.  Tyler's  health  failed,  and  J.  M.  Coleman  filled  out 
the  year. 

Bethany,  Pa. 

It  is  claimed  that  Methodist  preachers  visited  this  locality  as 
early  as  1805.  When  Gideon  Draper  was  sent  to  Canaan  Circuit 
in  1807  he  found  his  way  to  Bethany.  Here  *'he  found  that  an 
old  Baptist  elder  had  warned  the  people  against  him  as  'an 
English  spy'  and  'a  horse  thief.'  A  large  congregation  assembled 
in  the  courthouse  to  hear  him  [Bethany  was  the  county  seat  of 
Wayne  County  until  1842].  He  referred  to  the  slanderous  report, 
and,  calling  the  slanderer  by  name,  wished  to  know  if  he  were 
present.  Upon  being  told  that  he  was  not  there,  he  gave  a  satis- 
factory account  of  himself,  and  left  another  appointment.  The 
next  day  he  called  upon  the  old  elder  and  gave  him  his  choice, 
either  to  take  back  what  he  had  said  or  to  sustain  a  prosecution. 
He  wisely  chose  the  former,  and  thus  the  matter  ended." 

In  1810  George  Harmon  and  Samuel  Thompson  were  the 
preachers  on  Canaan  Circuit.  Dr.  Peck  says  he  "found  a  class  at 
Bethany,  and  appointed  Joseph  Miller  leader."  It  does  not  ap- 
pear that  a  class  had  been  formed  prior  to  this.  Nor  do  we  know 
anything  about  the  regularity  of  preaching  service  from  Mr. 
Draper's  time  till  Mr.  Harmon's.  "Mr.  Miller  was  sheriff  of  the 
county  and  a  man  of  respectability.  Before  he  left  the  place  Mr. 
Harmon  was  informed  that  the  Baptists  had  sent  for  an  elder, 
and  intended  to  break  up  the  class.  He  sent  a  local  preacher  to 
fill  his  appointments,  and  remained  a  week.  The  elder  did  not 
come,  but  left  Mr.  Harmon  to  himself,  and  he  had  a  fine  revival, 
and  received  into  the  society  a  number  more." 

When  Rev.  George  Peck  was  on  the  Canaan  Circuit  Bethany 
courthouse  was  the  only  place  of  any  pretensions  in  which  he 
preached.   Subsequently  the  society  worshiped  in  the  old  Presby- 


6o6 


Wyoming  Conference 


terian  church,  which  was  built  as  a  union  church,  for  a  number  of 
years.  After  this  old  church  was  repaired  the  Methodists  wor- 
shiped three  or  four  years  in  the  old  fireproof  building  now  used 
as  a  town  hall.  In  1822  the  Presbyterians  bought  of  the  Meth- 
odists and  Baptists  their  interest  in  some  lots,  paying  the  society 
$50.  Just  where  these  lots  were,  or  how  the  Methodists  became 
interested  in  them,  we  are  unable  to  state. 

The  first  church  building  erected  by  the  Methodists  was  put  up 
in  1833.    This  building  was  remodeled  in  1875,  and  reopened  on 


BETHANY  CHURCH 


Saturday,  October  30,  1875,  at  2  p.  m..  Revs.  L.  W.  Peck,  G.  M. 
Peck,  and  H.  M.  Cry  den  wise  officiating. 

On  September  4,  1886,  the  Baptists  conveyed  to  the  society  by 
deed  the  present  site  and  building  for  $100.  In  1887  this  building 
was  remodeled  and  enlarged,  making  it  substantially  a  new  build- 
ing, with  furnace,  cushions,  carpet,  bell,  and  Sunday  school  room 
complete,  at  a  total  cost  of  $2,100.  It  was  dedicated  on  January 
19,  1888,  Rev.  J.  C.  Leacock  preaching  the  sermon,  and  Rev.  J.  B. 
Sumner  conducting  the  dedicatory  service.  The  Wyoming  Trio 
were  present  and  added  to  the  interest  of  the  day  by  their  singing. 

In  consideration  of  $680  Richard  Webb  and  wife  deeded  to  the 
society  a  property  on  Sugar  and  Wayne  Streets,  on  November  18, 
1862.  This  was  used  for  a  parsonage.  On  November  23,  1870, 
the  society  deeded  this  property  back  to  Mr.  Webb,  valuing  it  at 


Bethany,  Pa. 


607 


$1,000,  and  took  from  Mr.  Webb  the  present  property,  which  was 
considered  more  desirable  for  a  parsonage. 

The  old  house  had  stood  for  many  years — some  have  said  as 
many  as  seventy-five.  After  having  been  used  as  a  parsonage  for 
a  long  time  it  was  demolished  and  the  present  house  built  at  an 
expense  of  $1,200. 

In  the  spring  of  1847  a  revival  here  resulted  in  over  sixty 
accessions  to  the  church. 

Aldenville  is  about  five  miles  west  of  Bethany.  A  society 
existed  here  some  time  before  the  erection  of  the  church.  The 
church  was  begun  in  1854  and  finished  in  1855.  It  was  dedicated 
on  Thursday,  January  3,  1856,  at  11  a.  m.,  Rev.  George  Landon 
preaching  the  sermon.  The  Aldens  gave  $400  toward  the  enter- 
prise. On  July  20,  1857,  Julius  T.  Alden  and  wife  and  Levi  H. 
Alden  and  wife  deeded  the  lot  upon  which  the  church  was  built, 
containing  41  rods  and  87^  feet,  to  the  society  as  a  gift.  This 
church  was  repaired  and  renovated  in  1893,  at  a  cost  of  $400. 

Meetings  have  been  held  by  the  Methodists  in  the  Glass  Factory 
schoolhouse,  which  is  three  and  a  half  miles  from  Aldenville,  and 
one  and  a  half  miles  from  Bethany. 

Pastorates. 

Bethany  and  Honesdale  were  together  until  1841,  and  covered 
a  good  deal  of  territory;  prior  to  1830,  on  the  Canaan  Circuit. 
1830,  Morgan  Sherman;  1831,  M.  Baker;  1832,  Erastus  Smith; 
1833-34,  C.  Nash;  1835,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1836,  H.  F.  Rowe,  I. 
Conover;  1837,  L.  Mumford,  Philo  Blackman ;  1838,  L.  Mum- 
ford;  1839,  J.  B.  Benham;  1840,  J.  O.  Boswell,  E.  Owen;  1841, 

Lucien  C.  Bennett;  1842-43,  ;  1844  (with  Mount  Pleasant), 

William  Dean;  1845-46,  C.  Perkins;  1847-48,  H.  Brownscombe; 
1849,  J.  D.  Safford;  1850,  G.  M.  Peck,  Glover  Laird;  1851,  C. 
Perkins,  A.  Barker;  1852,  A.  Barker;  1853,  Z.  S.  Kellogg,  A. 
Barker;  1854,  S.  S.  Barter,  A.  Barker;  1855,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1856, 
J.  A.  Baldwin;  1857,  W.  H.  Leake;  1858,  F.  Spencer;  1859-60, 
Joseph  Madison;  1861-62,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1863-64,  J.  K.  Peck; 
1865-67,  J.  L.  Race;  1868-70,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1871,  L.  Cole;  1872, 
H.  H.  Dresser;  1873-74,  George  C.  Hart;  1875-76,  J.  H.  Taylor; 
1877,  R.  J.  Kellogg;  1878-79,  P.  R.  Tower;  1880-81,  J.  T.  Bur- 
rall;  1882-83,  William  Edgar;  1884,  L.  Cole;  1885,  B.  B.  Carruth; 
1886-90,  P.  Houck;  1891-92,  Joseph  Madison;  1893-94,  S. 
Homan;  1895,  J.  A.  Transue;  1896-98,  H.  E.  Wheeler;  1899- 
1900,  H.  A.  Smith ;  1901-02,  A.  O.  Williams ;  1903,  F.  F.  Gibbs. 


6o8 


Wyoming  Conference 


Carbondale^  Pa. 

During  the  autumn  of  1828  a  few  ]\Iethodists,  among  whom 
were  Jesse  Gardner,  James  Birdsah,  Wanton  Hill,  Stephen 
Marsh,  Jesse  Clark,  Addison  Clark,  H.  B.  Jadwin,  and  Vene  Lee, 
began  to  hold  meetings  in  the  house  of  Vene  Lee.  \^ene  Lee  was 
the  husband  of  Mother  Lee,  familiarly  known  in  this  section  to 
Methodists  of  early  days,  and  a  woman  of  great  force  of  character 
and  power.  He  was  a  butcher,  and  his  home  stood  on  the  lot  now 
occupied  by  the  Nealon  building  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Main 
Street  and  Seventh  Avenue. 

It  is  supposed  that  all  of  the  parties  named  above  were  heads 
of  families  except  Jesse  and  Addison  Clark. 

The  pioneer  preacher  was  William  Griffin,  a  local  preacher 
living  in  Canaan,  and  a  brother  of  Mother  Lee.  Mrs.  Harriet 
Watt,  while  she  was  alive,  could  be  seen  almost  any  day  sitting 
in  a  hardwood  rocking-chair  made  by  this  preacher,  which  looks  as 
if  it  were  good  for  use  the  next  hundred  years. 

Either  Vene  Lee,  or  John  Lee  his  son,  died  in  the  winter  of 
1830.  Shortly  after  his  death  the  family  moved  back  to  Canaan. 
Until  their  removal  preaching  services  were  usually  held  in  the 
Lee  house.  After  their  removal  and  until  the  church  was  ready 
for  occupancy  preaching  services  were  held  in  the  homes  of 
various  members  of  the  society.  It  is  very  probable  that  the 
schoolhouse  erected  in  185 1  was  used  by  the  Methodists  for  a 
few  months. 

During  these  years  prayer  meetings  were  held  at  private  houses. 

In  the  spring  of  1832  the  society  began  to  build  its  first  church, 
which  was  completed  in  the  fall.  It  was  built  upon  the  lot  now 
occupied  by  the  stone  church,  the  lot  being  a  gift  from  the  Dela- 
ware and  Hudson  Canal  Company.  This  building  was  a  one- 
story  frame  building  about  36x56  feet  in  size,  and  stood  with  its 
front  close  to  the  line  of  the  present  sidewalk.  The  frame  was 
erected  by  Mr.  Burgess,  and  the  balance  of  the  work  was  done  by 
John  AIcKune.  Mr.  Harry  Johnson,  who  lived  to  be  past  ninety, 
for  many  years  president  of  the  board  of  trustees,  worked  for 
Mr.  McKune  at  the  time  by  the  month,  and  consequently  had  to 
do  with  the  building. 

Shortly  after  the  building  was  erected  the  newly  organized 
Episcopalians  purchased  an  interest  in  the  church,  they  to  have 
the  use  of  it  a  part  of  the  time  for  their  services.  In  March,  1838, 
the  ^Methodists  bought  back  the  interest  sold  to  the  Episcopalians, 
paying  $218  for  the  same. 


Carbondale,  Pa. 


In  the  spring  of  1849  work  upon  the  second  church  buikHng 
was  begun.  After  the  foundation  was  laid  and  the  frame  up  a 
temporary  floor  was  put  in,  seats  extemporized,  and  on  June  14, 
at  1 130  I'.  M.,  the  corner  stone  was  laid.  The  services  were  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  William  Reddy,  assisted  by  Rev.  T.  H.  Pearne. 

This  building  was  47x70  feet,  with  a  basement  containing  a 
lecture  room  and  four  class  rooms.  The  audience  room  had  a 
gallery  across  one  end,  over  the  vestibule,  and  including  the 
gallery  would  seat  six  hundred  people.  The  belfry  was  so  con- 
structed as  to  contain  a  bell  and  town  clock,  which  were  soon  put 


OLD  CARBONDALE  CHURCH 


in.  Upon  the  top  of  the  belfry  was  a  weather  vane,  called  by 
some  an  eagle,  by  others  a  dove,  and  by  others  a  goose. 

This  church  was  located  on  the  rear  half  of  the  church  lot,  its 
front  being  within  three  or  four  feet  of  the  rear  of  the  first  church 
building.  Its  front  would  be  about  where  the  center  of  the  present 
auditorium  is. 

This  church  was  dedicated  on  May  i,  1850.  The  morning 
sermon  was  by  Dr.  Nathan  Bangs  from  i  Cor.  iii,  11-15,  and  the 
evening  sermon  by  William  Reddy  from  2  Cor.  iv,  5. 

This  building  cost  about  $4,000.  In  order  to  prosecute  the 
enterprise  $1,000  was  borrowed  of  Chauncey  Shaffer,  of  New 
39 


6io 


Wyoming  Conference 


York  city,  on  seven  years'  time,  to  be  paid  in  installments,  and 
$500  borrowed  of  one  of  the  trustees.  This  is  supposed  to  be  the 
amount  of  indebtedness  at  the  time  of  dedication. 

About  the  time  this  church  was  entered  for  regular  worship  the 
first  church  building  was  sold  to  the  Baptists  for  $150,  and  was 
moved  by  them  to  the  lot  adjoining  on  the  south.  There  are 
many  of  the  older  inhabitants  of  this  city  who  remember  it. 

In  1 85 1  the  city  rented  the  lecture  room  and  two  class  rooms 
for  one  year,  and  used  the  rooms  for  sessions  of  court. 

In  this  year  an  effort  was  made  to  decrease  the  indebtedness. 
Rev.  H.  R.  Clarke,  the  pastor,  went  down  the  valley  and  received 
$127.50,  and  from  a  trip  to  New  York  received  $62.50.  Home 
subscriptions  increased  the  total  amount  to  $580. 

In  the  fall  of  1854  shrinkage  in  subscriptions,  accumulated  in- 
terest, and  principal  made  the  total  indebtedness  of  the  society 
$2,600.  This  was  alarming,  as  a  sale  by  the  sheriff  seemed  almost 
a  certainty.  Rev.  William  Wyatt,  the  pastor,  made  several  visits 
to  New  York  city,  down  the  Wyoming  Valley,  and  out  West  in 
quest  of  funds.  He  succeeded  in  raising  $1,600  in  this  way.  The 
balance  of  the  indebtedness  was  heroically  raised  by  the  strug- 
gling church  at  home.  Rev.  ~Mv.  Wyatt's  pastorate  was  charac- 
terized by  three  things :  the  raising  of  the  debt,  a  fierce  fight  with 
spiritualism,  and  a  glorious  revival  in  which  there  were  over  two 
hundred  conversions.  Over  one  hundred  and  thirty  of  the  con- 
verts joined  this  society.  In  1867  the  society  was  found  to  be  in 
arrears  $1,000.  Under  the  leadership  of  the  pastor  this  was 
liquidated,  and  the  society  again  declared  out  of  debt. 

In  1875  $3,529  was  spent  in  general  repairs,  which  was  provided 
for  before  reopening.  Reopening  serv'ices  were  held  from  the  3d 
to  the  7th  of  November.  Services  were  held  on  the  afternoon  and 
evening  of  each  day  except  Sunday,  the  7th,  when  the  services 
were  held  in  the  morning  and  evening.  The  following  clergymen 
were  present  and  preached  during  the  services :  H.  R.  Clarke,  I.  T. 
Walker,  A.  Griffin,  G.  H.  Blakeslee,  William  Reddy,  H.  Browns- 
combe,  D.  A.  Shepard,  J.  O.  Woodruff,  and  L.  W.  Peck. 

The  last  services  held  in  this  church  were  on  Sunday,  ^larch  20, 
1892,  after  which,  and  until  the  new  church  was  ready  for  occu- 
pancy, a  tabernacle,  costing  about  $500,  and  located  on  the  rear 
of  the  parsonage  lot,  was  used  by  the  society  for  worship.  The 
building  which  had  housed  this  people  from  1850  to  1892  was 
torn  down  to  make  room  for  the  new  building. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  present  beautiful  church  was  laid  on 
September  7,  1892.    A  large  assemblage  of  the  church  members 


Carbondale,  Pa. 


6ii 


and  citizens  witnessed  the  event.  The  services  were  in  charge  of 
the  pastor. 

On  Wednesday,  September  13,  1893,  the  church  was  dedicated. 
Dr.  S.  F.  Upham,of  Drew  Theological  Seminary,  preached  at  2:30 
p.  M.  from  Luke  xxiv,  32.  At  7:30  p.  m.  Dr.  Thomas  Hanlon, 
president  of  Pennington  Seminary,  preached  from  Matt,  xxiii,  4. 
Dr.  Hanlon  did  the  soliciting  of  funds  at  both  services.  The 
church  was  dedicated  by  the  presiding  elder,  Rev.  W.  L.  Thorpe. 
Nine  former  pastors  were  at  this  service :  Rev.  Y.  C.  Smith,  D.D. ; 
Rev.  G.  M.  Peck;  Rev.  A.  Griffin;  Rev.  I.  T.  Walker;  Rev. 


carbondale  church 

Burned  November  17,  1901 


William  Reddy,  D.D. ;  Rev.  A.  B.  Richardson;  Rev.  H.  R.  Clarke, 
D.D. ;  Rev.  W.  M.  Hiller ;  Rev.  J.  O.  Woodruff. 

The  church  cost  $40,186.55.  Prior  to  the  day  of  dedication 
$25,439.44  had  been  subscribed,  and  on  the  day  of  dedication 
$6,051.  Toward  the  balance  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  Young 
Lady  Workers  have  paid  several  thousand  dollars. 

The  building  was  put  up  by  T.  C.  Robinson. 

The  Sunday  school  raised  $1,600  toward  the  enterprise. 

The  pipe  organ  was  the  gift  of  Mrs.  D.  K.  Morss,  in  memory 
of  her  daughter,  and  cost  $2,350.  The  Young  Lady  Workers  had 
planned  to  buy  the  organ,  but  learning  of  Mrs.  Morss's  desire, 
they  turned  the  money  they  had  raised  into  the  building  fund. 


6l2 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1897  a  house  and  lot  at  114  Belmont  Street  was  purchased 
for  $2,000.  The  lower  part  of  the  house  was  fitted  for  Sunday 
school  work ;  the  upper  part  is  used  by  the  janitor.  A  thrifty  Sun- 
day school  was  organized,  and  weekly  prayer  meetings  are  held. 

On  September  10,  1899,  the  seventy-first  anniversary  of  the 
society  was  observed.  At  9  a.  m.  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner  conducted  a 
Pentecostal  service;  and  at  10:30  Rev.  John  Krantz,  D.D., 
preached  upon  The  Ascension.  In  the  evening  Rev.  A.  B.  Rich- 
ardson, D.D.,  preached  from  i  Pet.  ii,  9.  During  the  day  the  fol- 
lowing amount  was  asked  for:  amount  of  outstanding  bonds, 
$6,400;  balance  of  purchase  money  for  Belmont  chapel,  $1,400; 
interest  on  above  until  maturity,  $600;  temporary  loan,  $600;  in- 
surance for  three  years,  $200;  painting  and  other  repairs  on 
church,  $200;  anniversary  expenses,  $100.   Total,  $9,500. 

The  people  responded  so  cheerfully  that  over  $10,000  was  sub- 
scribed. The  subscriptions  were  taken  on  condition  that  two 
years'  time  would  be  given  for  payment — the  amount  of  each 
subscription  to  be  divided  into  eighths,  and  an  eighth  paid  every 
three  months.  On  September  8,  1901,  an  anniversary  service 
was  held  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  to  a  close  the  debt-paying 
scheme.  The  shrinkage  on  the  subscription  list  was  so  small  that 
only  $100  was  needed  to  cancel  the  debt.  To  this  was  added  $100 
to  repay  money  borrowed  to  put  in  the  parsonage  heater,  and 
the  congregation  was  asked  for  $200,  which  amount  was  soon 
raised.  Rev.  A.  H.  Wyatt,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  upon 
The  Ascension,  and  in  the  evening  from  James  i,  25.  At  the  even- 
ing service  Pierce  Butler,  president  of  board  of  trustees,  burned 
the  mortgage,  while  the  people  sang  repeatedly  the  doxology. 

On  the  morning  of  November  17,  1901,  the  church  was  dis- 
covered to  be  on  fire  between  6  and  7  a.  m.,  and  in  a  few  hours 
it  was  in  ruins.  It  is  believed  that  the  fire  started  in  the  furnace 
room.  By  mistake,  Mr.  Charles  Hull,  who  was  returning  from 
the  tower  during  the  fire,  when  he  reached  the  first  landing,  went 
through  the  gallery  door  into  the  auditorium,  instead  of  going 
down  the  stairway.  He  barely  escaped  with  his  life,  his  hands 
and  face  being  badly  burned. 

This  day  was  to  have  been  the  annual  missionary  day,  and 
preparations  had  been  made  for  an  advance  in  the  missionary 
collection.    Heartbreaking  and  tears  came  instead. 

On  the  afternoon  of  this  day  the  official  board  met  and  resolved 
to  take  steps  at  once  toward  rebuilding.  On  the  following  Mon- 
day night  A.  Pascoe,  T.  C.  Robinson,  A.  E.  Tiffany,  F.  C.  White- 
lock,  and  A.  F.  Chaffee  were  constituted  a  building  committee. 


Carbondale^  Fa. 


613 


In  a  short  time  Mr.  E.  Langley,  of  Scranton,  was  engaged  as 
architect.  After  the  plans  and  specifications  were  completed, 
A.  E.  Tiffany,  J.  A.  Hoole,  and  William  Edgett  were  invited  to 
submit  bids  for  the  work.  On  the  evening  of  March  25,  1902, 
the  committee  received  the  bids,  which  were  as  follows:  Mr. 
Edgett,  $26,940;  Mr.  Tiffany,  $26,500;  Mr.  Hoole,  $23,375.  These 
bids  did  not  include  the  steel  trusses  which  support  the  roof,  nor 
the  steel  girder  in  the  partition  between  the  auditorium  and  the 
Sunday  school  room.    Mr.  Hoole's  bid  was  accepted. 

During  the  time  this  work  was  being  done  a  committee  com- 


CARBONDALE  PRESENT  CHURCH 


posed  of  A.  Pascoe,  W.  D.  Evans,  and  A.  F.  Chaffee,  made  an 
extensive  canvass  relative  to  the  purchase  of  a  pipe  organ.  Upon 
the  suggestion  of  this  committee  the  board  contracted  with  Mr. 
M.  P.  Moller,  of  Hagerstown,  Md.,  for  an  organ  costing  $3,300. 

The  community  and  surrounding  towns  were  very  sympathetic. 
Sister  churches  magnanimously  offered  the  use  of  their  churches. 
The  society  used  the  Baptist  church  one  Sunday,  and  then  for 
several  weeks  worshiped  with  the  Presbyterians,  the  Presbyterian 
and  Methodist  pastors  alternating  in  the  pulpit  work.  Mr.  W.  E. 
Watt  offered  the  society  the  use  of  his  hall  gratuitously.  Chairs 
were  purchased  to  seat  the  hall  at  once,  such  as  would  be  desirable 
for  use  in  the  church,  when  ready.    Services  were  commenced  in 


6i4 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  hall  about  the  first  of  January,  1902,  and  continued  here 
until  March  i,  1903.  The  kindness  of  Mr.  Watt  was  highly 
appreciated  by  the  society. 

The  church  received  $20,000  insurance.  Generous  friends  from 
Scranton  and  in  Carbondale  contributed  over  $3,000,  chiefly 
through  the  tactful  energy  of  Mrs.  A.  Pascoe.  The  societies  in 
the  church  began  work  at  once  to  secure  funds.  At  the  dedicatory 
services  the  treasurer  of  the  board  of  trustees  rendered  the  follow- 
ing statement : 


Amount  of  J.  A.  Hoole  contract   $23,375.00 

Steel  trusses  not  in  contract   2,000.00 

Steam  heaters,  pipes,  plumbing,  sewering,  and  grading   2,800.00 

Gas  and  electric  piping,  wiring,  and  fixtures   950.00 

Stained  glass  dome  and  windows   1,985.00 

Decorating  and  varnishing   716.00 

Architect's  commission   720.00 

Pipe  organ   3,300.00 

Pews  and  chairs   1,906.00 

Cushions    449-32 

Altar  furniture   150.25 

Carpets  and  linoleum   663.50 

Bell    500.00 

Church  hymnals  and  music   198.00 

Insurance,  three  years   278  18 

Sundry  minor  accounts   103.90 


Total  cost  of  building   $40,095.76 

Of  the  above  there  is  yet  unpaid  $6,772. 

Received  in  cash  from  insurance  on  burned  building   $19,800.00 

Received  in  cash  from  subscriptions  already  publicly  acknowl- 
edged, namely : 

From  Scranton   2,050.00 

"     Carbondale    922.00 

Received  in  cash  since  publication  of  list: 

From  James  Stott   250.00 

"     Young  Lady  Workers   1,000.00 

"     Ladies'  Aid  Society   924.12 

"     two  concerts   121.75 

"     Sunday  school  square-foot  plan   400.00 

"     Harriet  M.  Watt  Est.,  memorial  window   350. 00 

"     Olive  R.  Shiffer,  memorial  window   175-00 

"     Epworth  League,  on  memorial  window   50.00 

"     sale  old  material  of  church   167.56 

"     collections  for  bell   500.00 

"     interest  on  deposit  in  bank   500.82 

"     sale  of  4  per  cent  bonds  payable  at  any  interest  period  10.500.00 


Total  cash  receipts   $37,711.25 


Carbondale,  Pa.  615 

Financial  Condition  March  7,  1903 

Balance  due  on  contracts  and  unpaid  accounts   $6,772.00 

Balance  due  on  trustees'  note   250.00 

Amount  temporary  bonds  outstanding   10,500.00 


$17,522.00 

Less  cash  on  hand   $4,387.49 

Less  subscriptions  unpaid   225.00 

 4,612.49 


Indebtedness  unprovided  for   $12,909.51 


The  church  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  March  8,  1903,  Rev. 
John  Krantz,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morning  from  Psa.  xxvi,  8, 
and  in  the  evening  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D.,  preached  from  Ezra  v,  9. 
During  the  day  $13,000  was  subscribed  to  meet  the  balance  of  the 
indebtedness.  At  the  evening  service  the  following  hymn  by  the 
pastor's  wife  was  sung  with  great  enthusiasm : 

"Our  fathers'  God,  to-day 
Before  thy  feet  we  lay 

Our  offering. 
Now  show  thy  presence  here, 
O,  let  us  feel  thee  near. 
While  we  with  holy  fear 

Thy  praises  sing ! 

''From  ruins  sore  and  great 
This  beauteous  house  complete 

Before  thee  stands. 
May  it  accepted  be. 
Our  gracious  God,  by  thee ! 
We  give  it  heartily 

Into  thy  hands. 

"Here  may  our  Father's  love 
And  Jesus'  power  to  save 

Be  manifest. 
The  Holy  Spirit's  power 
Fall  in  a  glorious  shower 
In  many  a  joyful  hour, 

And  on  us  rest. 

"May  sinners  seek  thy  face. 
And  saints  with  wondrous  grace 

Be  strangely  thrilled ! 
Within  this  house  of  thine 
Do  thou  in  glory  shine ! 
With  majesty  divine 

May  it  be  filled ! 


6i6 


Wyomixg  Conference 


"Our  hearts  rejoice  as  we 
Now  dedicate  to  thee 

This  new  abode. 
Before  thy  throne  we  bend, 
To  heaven  our  hearts  ascend, 
This  church  is  thine,  our  Friend, 

Our  glorious  God." 

The  dedicatory  services  were  conducted  by  the  presiding  elder, 
Rev.  J.  F.  Warner. 

The  dedicatory  services  were  followed  by  a  Feast  of  Dedica- 
tion. On  ^londay  night  Rev.  Henry  Jones,  S.T.D.,  of  Wilkes- 
Barre,  preached,  and  the  Episcopal  rector,  of  Carbondale,  pre- 
sided, while  his  choir  furnished  the  music.  On  Tuesday  evening 
Rev.  Charles  Lee,  pastor  of  the  Carbondale  Presbyterian  Church, 
presided,  his  choir  furnished  the  music,  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Odell, 
D.D.,  of  Scranton,  preached.  Wednesday  evening  was  the 
Methodist  night.  Rev.  J.  F.  W^arner  presided,  and  Rev.  A.  W. 
Hayes,  D.D.,  of  Binghamton,  preached.  Thursday  night  Rev. 
H.  J.  Whalen,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  Carbondale  Baptist  Church, 
presided,  and  his  choir  furnished  the  music,  while  the  sermon  was 
by  Rev.  J.  W.  Phillips,  D.D.,  of  Binghamton.  On  Friday  night 
the  pastor  and  wife  gave  a  reception. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  raised  $i,ooo  during  the  year  the 
church  was  building,  and  subscribed  as  much  more  on  the  day  of 
dedication.  The  Young  Lady  Workers  did  the  same.  The  Sun- 
day school  raised  $i,ooo  by  its  square-foot  plan. 

The  bell  in  this  church  is  historic.  The  bell  in  the  old  church 
was  cast  in  1850,  and  weighed  seven  hundred  and  sixty-two 
pounds.  It  was  the  first  bell  of  any  size  in  the  city.  For  many 
years  it  sounded  the  hours  of  the  day,  being  connected  with  the 
town  clock  in  the  steeple.  It  was  used  as  a  fire  alarm  for  the 
town  many  years.  In  the  war  days  it  called  the  people  together 
to  bid  farewell  to  the  soldiers  who  had  enlisted  in  the  war  for 
the  suppression  of  the  rebellion,  and  tolled  the  funeral  knell  of 
many  who  were  brought  back  dead.  It  tolled  upon  the  death  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  Conference  being  in  session  at  Carbondale  at 
the  time.  It  called  Wyoming  Conference  together  for  its  first 
session.  It  was  an  extraordinarily  sweet-toned  bell,  and  the 
people  were  very  fond  of  it.  It  was  rtiined  by  the  fire.  One 
hundred  and  forty-five  pounds  of  it  were  made  into  souvenir  bells, 
which,  selling  at  one  dollar  each,  created  a  fund  which  bought 
the  present  bell.  Six  htmdred  and  seventeen  pounds  of  the  bell 
were  used  in  the  construction  of  the  present  bell,  enough  metal 


Carbondale,  Pa. 


617 


being  added  to  make  a  bell  weighing  two  thousand  and  twelve 
pounds. 

The  piano  is  a  gift  of  some  Scranton  ladies,  and  the  range  was 
donated  by  the  Scranton  Stove  Works.  The  pulpit  is  the  gift  of 
Mr.  Frank  Smith,  in  memory  of  his  father.  Dr.  Y.  C.  Smith,  and 
the  communion  table  is  the  gift  of  Mr.  Lester  Smith,  in  memory 
of  his  mother.  The  collection  plates  were  given  by  Dr.  C.  W. 
Colburn,  while  the  Junior  League  gave  the  pulpit  Bible  and 
Hymnal. 

In  building  the  present  church  it  was  found  that  the  walls  had 
not  been  seriously  damaged  by  the  fire,  and  they  were  used  sub- 
stantially as  they  were.  The  front  gable  was  enlarged  and  the 
stonework  in  the  tower  extended  about  fifteen  feet. 

The  south  window  is  in  memory  of  John  and  Harriet  Watt, 
and  is  "Christ  Blessing  the  Children."  The  west  window  was 
given  by  Mrs.  Olive  R.  Shififer  in  memory  of  George  M.  and 
Angie  M.  Rowley,  her  parents,  and  William  L.  and  Clarissa  A. 
Rowley.  The  figure  is  Christ  taking  leave  of  his  mother.  George 
Rowley  led  the  choir  in  this  church  a  long  while.  The  north 
window  was  put  in  by  the  Epworth  League  and  is  ''The  Visit  of 
the  Women  to  the  Sepulcher."  The  three  windows  are  after 
paintings  by  Bernard  Plockhorst. 

The  first  parsonage  was  built  in  1843,  on  the  lot  now  occupied 
by  the  parsonage.  It  was  a  story-and-a-half  frame  building  and 
cost  $750.  The  deed  for  the  lot  was  not  secured  of  the  Delaware 
and  Hudson  Canal  Company  until  November  i,  1855.  Consider- 
ation, $75. 

In  1867  this  house  was  raised  to  two  stories,  and  otherwise 
improved,  at  an  expense  of  $480.  A  part  of  this  amount  was 
provided  for  by  subscriptions  and  a  part  carried  by  loan. 

In  the  early  part  of  1878  the  house  was  burned.  Rev.  J.  C. 
Shelland  was  occupying  it  at  the  time,  but  lost  very  little  of  his 
belongings.  The  present  house  was  built  the  same  year,  at  a 
cost  of  $2,000. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  society  for  election  of  trustees  was  held 
at  the  meetinghouse  on  the  evening  of  October  16,  1839.  ^^y- 
F.  A.  Stanton  was  elected  chairman  and  Raymond  W.  Graves 
secretary.  Jesse  Gardner  was  elected  trustee  for  the  term  of  one 
year,  James  Birdsall  and  Wanton  Hill  for  two  years,  and  Judson 
Clark  and  Silas  Burrows  for  three  years.  We  have  no  record  of 
either  trustee  meetings  or  of  the  society  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing trustees  until  January  6,  1842,  at  which  time  Joseph  Hutchins 
was  elected  trustee.    In  the  fall  of  1843  ^^e  trustees  discovered 


6i8 


Wyoming  Conference 


that  the  society  had  no  charter,  though  most  of  the  people  sup- 
posed one  to  exist.  An  attempt  to  get  one  had  failed,  through 
neglect  of  the  committee  appointed  to  secure  one. 

Accordingly,  the  pastor,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  presiding 
elder,  and  in  harmony  with  Disciplinary  law,  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing trustees  on  November  ii,  1843:  Jesse  Gardner,  James 
Birdsall,  Wanton  Hill,  Judson  Clark,  Elam  Woodward,  ^lichael 
Van  deck,  Raymond  W.  Graves,  Anthony  P.  Gardner,  and  Rod- 
ney Eaton. 

Steps  were  at  once  taken  to  secure  a  charter.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  trustees  held  on  November  17,  1843,  ^  charter  was  approved 
and  application  for  its  grant  by  the  court  forwarded  to  the  court. 
On  April  18,  1844,  the  Luzerne  County  Court  decreed  the  charter 
granted,  and  ''The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Carbondale" 
began  its  corporate  existence. 

This  charter  provides  that  the  trustees  shall  be  elected  by  the 
board  of  trustees,  on  nomination  of  the  pastor,  and  their  term  of 
service  is  lifelong. 

The  following  persons  have  been  elected  trustees,  and  on  the 
dates  given:  James  Dickson  and  Ezra  Newton,  April  8,  1844; 
Daniel  Taylor,  December  24,  1844  ;  William  Johnson,  September 
9,  1845;  Evan  Harris  and  Abraham  Snyder,  November  2,  1846; 
Daniel  Bacon,  November  13,  1846;  Stephen  S.  Clark,  Henry 
Johnson,  and  Orin  Kilburn,  January  25,  1849  (S-  S.  Clark  re- 
signed in  1855,  again  elected  October  i,  1862,  and  is  still  a  mem- 
ber of  this  board;  Henry  Johnson  served  until  1899 — two  very 
long  terms  of  service)  ;  Evan  Harris,  Canfield  Harrison,  and 
Orin  Whittemore,  December  27,  1849 Jo^i^  ]\IcFarlane  and 
Joseph  L.  David,  June  9,  1851 ;  John  Watt,  January  12,  1852 
(served  until  his  death,  in  June,  1885)  ;  D.  C.  David,  May  14, 
1852;  J.  G.  Thompson,  March  3,  1854;  Lewis  Pughe,  ]\Iay  26, 
1854:  N.  D.  Farnham,  Januarv  24,  1855;  William  Lindsav, 
November  28,  1856;  J.  W.  Churchill  October  i,  1862:  M.  C. 
Dykman  and  N.  P.  Cramer,  June  10.  1867;  E.  T.  Rowley,  October 
21,  1867;  A.  Pascoe,  1872;  D.  Scurry,  April  16,  1873  (served 
until  his  death,  in  March,  1903)  ;  Joseph  Isgar  (date  of  election 
unknown)  ;  W.  G.  Reynolds,  November  16,  1874  (served  until 
his  death,  in  March,  1900)  :  H.  B.  Jadwin,  December  7,  1878; 
Pierce  Butler,  January  16,  1882;  H.  P.  Hathaway,  October  16, 
1885  (served  until  his  death,  in  April,  1898)  ;  Irving  Davis, 
January  28,  1889;  T.  C.  Robinson,  March  19,  1891  ;  W.  E. 
Kirby,  September  i.  1892;  F.  C.  Whitelock,  September  19,  1901 ; 
A.  E.  Tiffany,  April  i,  1903. 


Carbondale,  Pa. 


619 


The  Wyoming  Conference  was  organized  in  Carbondale  in 
1852.  Since  that  time  the  church  has  entertained  the  Conference 
three  times;  April,  1865;  April,  1882;  and  April,  1895, 

During  Y.  C.  Smith's  second  year  sickness  incapacitated  him, 
and  J.  L.  Wells  supplied  the  pulpit  four  months. 

In  the  early  days  of  this  charge  the  pastor  served  Greenfield 
and  Dundaff  which  formed  a  part  of  the  charge. 

The  eccentric  and  justly  famous  Lorenzo  Dow  preached  here 
in  the  ''forties." 

Mrs.  Julia  Davis  and  Mrs.  Elgie  Graves,  sisters,  joined  the 
church  in  1836  and  remained  members  until  their  death,  1903 
and  1902  respectively. 

Mrs.  Phoebe  Decker,  a  member  of  this  church,  lived  to  be 
ninety-seven  years  of  age. 

Mrs.  Harriet  Watt  had  been  a  communicant  of  this  church 
sixty  years  when  she  died,  in  1902,  at  ninety-two  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Henry  Johnson  served  the  church  as  trustee  forty  years, 
and  Mr.  S.  S.  Clark  forty-six  years.  The  latter  is  still  on  the 
board,  being  ninety-two  years  old. 

Mr.  D.  C.  Benscoter  had  charge  of  the  infant  department  of 
the  Sunday  school  twenty-five  years. 

Mrs.  William  Johnson  was  a  member  of  the  Sunday  school 
fifty-six  years,  and  Irving  Davis  has  been  a  member  since  1850. 
Following  close  upon  these  are  Mrs.  William  Thompson,  Mrs. 
John  Bell,  Lauretta  Coogan,  Mrs.  G.  D.  Couch,  J.  M.  Alexander, 
and  others. 

Revs.  H.  G.  Blair,  John  B.  Davis,  Williams  T.  Blair,  and  Hugh 
A.  Williams  have  entered  Wyoming  Conference  from  this  church. 
Rev.  F.  B.  Schoonover,  another  son,  is  now  teaching  in  our 
school  in  Rome,  Italy.  Rev.  B.  W.  Dix,  another  son,  is  now  in 
college  preparing  for  the  ministry. 

No.  4  chapel  is  situated  just  above  White's  Station  on  the 
Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad,  and  was  built  in  1874,  at  a  cost 
of  $600,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  in  which  it  was 
with  Forest  City  has  been  a  mission  of  Carbondale  Church.  A 
Sunday  school  is  conducted  part  of  the  year,  Sunday  evening 
prayer  meetings  are  sustained,  and  the  pastor  preaches  there 
occasionally.  Mr.  Pierce  Butler  was  the  moving  spirit  in  the 
erection  of  this  church. 

Pastorates 

1830-32,  Alanson  Reed;  1833,  M.  K.  Cushman ;  1834-35,  Hiram 
Shephard;  1836,  A.  J.  Crandall;  1837,  A.  J.  Crandall,  J.  Conover; 


620 


Wyoming  Conference 


1838-39,  F.  H.  Stanton;  1840,  John  Davison;  1841,  William 
Reddy;  1842-43,  J.  B.  Benham;  1844-45,  Hiram  A.  Luther;  1846, 
Richard  Cooke;  1847,  S.  Worden;  1848-49,  B.  W.  Gorham; 
1850-51,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1852-53,  W.  Wyatt;  1854,  H.  Browns- 
combe;  1855,  T.  D.  Walker;  1856-57,  A.  Barker;  1858,  George 
H.  Blakeslee,  A.  Barker;  1859-60,  D.  A.  Shepard,  A.  Barker: 
1861,  J.  M.  Snyder;  1862-63,  G.M.Peck;  1864-66,  Ira  T.  Walker; 
1867-69,  J.  O.  Woodruff;  1870-71,  Y.  C.  Smith;  1872-74,  A. 
Griffin;  1875,  D.  D.  Lindsley;  1876-77,  J.  C.  Shelland ;  1878-79, 
S.  Moore;  1880-82,  W.  M.  Hiller;  1883-85,  L.  C.  Floyd;  1886-87, 
O.  H.  McAnulty;  1888,  A.  B.  Richardson;  1889-90,  L.  C.  Floyd; 
1891-94,  W.  Edgar;  1895-98,  G.  A.  Place;  1899-1903,  A.  F. 
Chaffee. 

Carley  Brook,  Pa. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  was  with  Beach  Lake  Circuit 
many  years.  It  was  known  as  Oregon  charge  from  the  time  it 
was  formed  into  a  charge  until  1899,  when  it  was  given  its  present 
name. 

Meetings  were  first  held  in  Carley  Brook  in  one  of  the  tannery 
houses,  owned  by  Gilbert  &  Palmer,  in  1853.  These  meetings 
were  conducted  by  Rev.  Ira  Bonnie,  a  Wesleyan  preacher.  From 
the  tannery  house  the  meetings  w^ere  taken  to  the  schoolhouse  in 
1854,  where  services  were  held  until  the  building  of  the  church. 

On  February  6,  1867,  the  court  granted  a  charter  to  this  society, 
naming  Jonathan  H.  Bryant,  William  Penwarden,  James  H. 
]Monnington,  Joseph  May,  David  L.  Bryant,  and  William  Davy 
trustees. 

On  June  25,  1876,  in  consideration  of  $13.50,  John  Reifler 
deeded  the  society  two  acres  and  four  perches  of  land.  The  same 
season  a  parsonage  was  built  on  this  land,  costing  $1,000. 

In  1886  the  church  was  erected  on  a  part  of  the  land  bought 
of  Mr.  Reifler.  The  building  cost  $1,250,  and  was  dedicated  on 
November  16,  1886.  Revs.  W.  L.  Thorpe  and  William  M.  Hiller 
preached  the  sermons  of  the  occasion. 

Girdland  is  four  miles  north  of  Carley  Brook.  In  185 1  services 
were  held  in  the  house  of  Jonathan  Bryant,  and  in  1857  regular 
preaching  services  were  established  in  the  Girdland  schoolhouse, 
and  continued  there  until  the  church  was  built.  Mrs.  Bryant 
was  the  first  member  enrolled,  and  Mark  Cook  the  second.  The 
class  was  formed  in  1858  with  Mark  Cook  leader.  At  the  close 
of  the  first  year  the  class  had  six  members. 

The  lot  for  the  church  was  given  by  Neville  Holgate  and  Fred- 


RiLEYVILLE,  Pa. 


621 


erick  Erhardt,  each  giving  60x120  feet.  On  August  4,  1894, 
ground  was  broken,  and  the  corner  stone  laid  on  the  19th.  The 
church  is  22x35  feet,  with  a  side  room  22x14  feet,  and  cost  $2,000. 
The  church  was  dedicated  on  November  15,  1894.  Rev.  W.  L. 
Thorpe,  the  presiding  elder,  preached  in  the  afternoon  and  con- 
ducted the  dedicatory  service.  The  pastor  read  the  dedicatory 
service  in  German  after  the  English  had  been  read.  Rev.  C.  A. 
Benjamin  preached  in  the  evening. 

Torrey  is  four  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  Carley  Brook. 
The  church  at  Torrey  was  built  about  1849.  March  23,  1847, 
William  Tamblyn  and  wife  deeded  the  society  one  acre  of  land 
in  consideration  of  $20.  This  is  the  lot  upon  which  the  church 
is  built  with  the  cemetery  back  of  the  church.  The  trustees  at 
the  time  were  Jacob  W.  Travis,  Richard  Neale,  William  Tam- 
blyn, William  Olver,  Edward  Marshall,  Willis  Sherwood,  James 
Smith.  The  society  here  is  contemplating  the  building  of  a  new 
church,  and  has  $1,000  raised  for  that  purpose. 

Smith  Hill  is  three  miles  east  of  Carley  Brook.  On  October 
6,  1855,  Lucius  Broughton  and  wife  deeded  to  the  society  as  a 
gift  eighty-one  perches  of  land,  James  L.  Bennett,  James  Smith, 
George  Bush,  George  Wills,  William  Tamblyn,  and  Samuel 
Silsby  being  the  trustees  at  that  time.  This  land  is  used  as  a 
cemetery,  and  is  beside  and  back  of  the  church. 

The  church  at  this  place  is  believed  to  have  been  built  in  1841, 
the  class  being  a  part  of  Beach  Pond  Circuit  at  the  time.  On 
July  19,  1884,  the  Beach  Pond  trustees  deeded  this  property  to 
Carley  Brook.  In  1894  $400  was  expended  in  repairs  on  this 
church,  which  was  reopened  on  November  16,  1894,  by  Rev. 
W.  L.  Thorpe. 

West  Damascus  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  seven  miles  north- 
east of  Carley  Brook.    Services  have  been  held  here  since  1854. 

Rileyville  is  now  a  part  of  Carley  Brook  charge.  The  first 
preaching  here  was  -in  the  house  of  Joseph  Bass.  A  class  was 
formed  with  Mr.  Bass  leader,  who  was  also  an  exhorter.  Some 
of  the  early  members  were  Joseph  Bass,  E.  Wheatcroft,  Sr.,  E. 
Wheatcroft,  Jr.,  David  Spafford,  and  their  wives,  and  five  or  six 
members  of  the  Harrison  family. 

The  church  is  34x50,  with  a  recess  5x11  for  the  pulpit,  and  is 
heated  by  a  furnace.  It  cost  $3,000,  $964  of  which  was  raised 
on  the  day  of  dedication.  The  building  was  dedicated  on  Wednes- 


622  Wyoming  Conferenc£ 

day,  October  4,  1871.  Rev.  W.  P.  Abbott  preached  from  2  Chron. 
vi,  18,  and  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead  conducted  the  dedicatory  services. 

The  lot  was  a  gift  from  John  Taylor,  and  was  deeded  to  the 
society  on  September  15,  1871. 

From  1872  to  1884  Riley ville  appeared  among  the  appoint- 
ments with  the  following  pastors:  1872,  G.  W.  Robinson;  1873- 
74,  G.  W.  Leach;  1875-76,  G.  W.  Blake;  1877,  S.  Stephens;  1878, 
J.  Durham;  1879-80,  D.  G.  Stephens;  1881,  S.  W.  Spencer; 
1882-83,  B.  F.  Larabee;  1884,  T.  Warnock.  From  1885  to  1888 
F.  B.  Larabee  and  C.  W.  Todd  supplied  the  pulpit.  From  1889 
to  1893  the  church  was  closed.  Galilee  and  Riley  ville  were  made 
a  charge  in  1894,  A.  C.  Brackenbury,  pastor,  serving  through 
1895.  In  1896  it  became  a  part  of  Carley  Brook  charge,  where  it 
now  is.  There  were  a  couple  of  years,  however,  when  it  was 
supplied  by  Professor  F.  J.  Niles. 

Pastorates 

i860,  L.  C.  Phillips;  1861-62,  F.  Illman ;  1863,  J.  Whitham; 
1864,  Jonas  Underwood;  1865,  D.  Williams;  1866-67,  S.  T. 
Cramp;  1868,  J.  D.  Woodruff;  1869,  R.  E.  Hall;  1870-71,  George 
Pritchett;  1872,  G.  Westfall;  1873,  C.  W.  Sartell;  1874,  John 
Calnon;  1875,  J.  G.  Stephens;  1876,  S.  W.  Cole;  1877-79,  J-  T. 
Burrall;  1880-81,  F.  P.  Dotv ;  1882,  E.  O.  Rowland;  1883-84, 
P.  J.  Gates;  1885-86,  J.  R.  Allen;  1887-89,  C.  W.  Todd;  1890-94, 
J.  A.  Transue;  1895,  P.  Houck;  1896-97,  H.  J.  Heineman;  1898- 
1901,  J.  G.  Raymond;  1902-03,  P.  F.  3.1ead. 

Cherry  Ridge,  Pa. 

In  1 8 10  Revs.  George  Harmon  and  Samuel  Thompson  were 
on  the  Canaan  Circuit.  Mr.  Harmon  organized  a  class  at  Cherry 
Ridge.  ''He  was  invited  by  the  wife  of  Dr.  Collins  to  go  home 
with  her  and  put  up  at  her  house.  When  Dr.  Collins  came  home 
Mrs.  Collins  said  to  him,  T  have  invited  ]\Ir.  Harmon  to  put  up 
with  us,  and  I  hope  you  will  not  insult  him.'  To  which  the  Doctor 
dryly  responded,  'When  the  king  is  absent  the  queen  makes  the 
laws.'  'Well,  then,'  said  Mr.  Harmon,  'I  hope  the  king  will  not 
abrogate  what  the  queen  has  done  in  this  case.'  'Xo,  indeed,  sir,' 
answered  the  Doctor." 

"Mr.  Harmon  preached  at  Cherry  Ridge  in  the  presence  of  a 
Presbyterian  missionary  from  the  text,  'Be  watchful,  and 
strengthen  the  things  which  remain,  that  are  ready  to  die'  (Rev. 
iii,  2).   The  gentleman  thought  that  the  drift  of  the  discourse  was 


Cherry  Ridge,  Pa. 


623 


against  the  doctrine  of  the  perseverance  of  the  saints.  Upon 
being  invited  by  Mr.  Harmon  to  speak,  he  arose  and  proceeded 
to  remark  that  grace  in  the  soul  is  compared  to  leaven  in  meal, 
and  leaven  is  a  new  principle  independent  of  the  meal.  When 
he  had  finished  his  analogical  argument,  Mr.  Harmon  arose  and 
addressed  an  old  lady  who  was  present  thus :  'Mother,  can  you 
make  leaven  without  meal?'  'Well,'  said  the  old  lady,  'I  think 
it  would  be  poor  stuff.'  'Well,  mother,'  Mr.  Harmon  proceeded, 
'what  becomes  of  your  bread  when  it  is  made?'  'We  eat  it  when 
it  is  good,'  she  answered,  'but  when  it  is  sour  or  becomes  moldy 
we  give  it  to  the  hogs.'  The  missionary  did  not  undertake  to 
mend  up  his  figure." 

Meetings  were  held  in  these  early  years  at  A.  I.  Stryker's 
house  and  subsequently  at  Dr.  CoUins's  home.  Later  services 
were  held  in  the  schoolhouse,  situated  on  the  road  between  the 
Darling  farm  and  Eben  Brown's.  This  schoolhouse  was  after- 
ward burned.  The  Methodists  then  fitted  up  an  old  shop  which 
stood  opposite  the  residence  of  H.  V.  Schenck,  which  was  used 
as  a  place  of  worship  until  1849. 

The  building  of  a  church  was  first  agitated  and  a  subscription 
paper  started  by  Lucius  Collins  in  1849.  The  subscription  paper 
is  now  in  the  hands  of  Lewis  S.  Collins,  Esq.,  and  contains  the 
following  names :  Lucius  Collins,  Thomas  J.  Lindsey,  E.  H. 
Clark,  Isaac  M.  Moore,  Henry  V.  Schenck,  David  Kenner, 
Lorenzo  Collins,  Stephen  Sharpsteen,  Benjamin  N.  Rider,  An- 
drew Anderson,  Michael  Collins,  Daniel  A.  Woodward,  Theron 
Collins,  Charles  Wilson,  Thomas  Bonear,  H.  L.  Collins,  Antus 
Collins,  Isaac  P.  Rider,  Jacob  Kimble,  Decius  Collins,  and  Albert 
Burgess.  The  residents  of  the  town  subscribed  $197,  to  which 
citizens  of  Honesdale  added  $127.  The  church  cost  $550  and 
was  built  on  land  deeded  to  the  church  in  1869  by  Lewis  S.  Col- 
lins, Esq.  The  church  was  dedicated  in  1849,  Rev.  William 
Reddy  preaching  for  the  Methodists  and  Rev.  Mr.  Rounds  for 
the  Presbyterians.  This  is  a  union  church  owned  by  the  Meth- 
odists and  Presbyterians,  but  for  a  number  of  years  has  been 
occupied  exclusively  by  the  Methodists.  In  1869  it  was  enlarged 
and  remodeled. 

Prior  to  1892  the  pastors  lived  in  rented  houses.  In  1892  the 
parsonage  was  deeded  to  the  society  by  the  heirs  of  L.  A. 
Robinson. 

The  Cherry  Ridge  charge  was  formed  in  1852,  and  consisted 
of  Cherry  Ridge,  Cherry  Valley  (now  Hoadley's),  and  Middle 
Creek  (now  Clemo). 


624 


Wyoming  Conference 


Hoadley's  has  been  a  part  of  Cherry  Ridge  charge  since  its 
formation,  and  services  have  always  been  held  in  schoolhouses. 
When  the  present  schoolhouse  was  built,  land  was  donated,  and 
the  building  erected  by  popular  subscription,  with  the  under- 
standing that  the  building  should  be  used  for  church  purposes. 

Prompton.  The  church  here  was  built  by  the  Universalists  in 
1839  occupied  by  them  until  1859,  when  it  was  converted 
into  an  academy  known  as  the  Wayne  County  Normal  School, 
and  was  so  used  until  1880,  at  which  time  the  property  reverted 
to  the  heirs  of  Benjamin  Jenkins,  Sr.  In  1882  the  Methodists 
bought  the  building  and  lot  for  $380,  and  in  1887  it  was  dedicated 
by  Rev.  W.  L.  Thorpe.  The  first  trustees  were  Thomas  Nichols, 
E.  R.  Bodie,  George  Wager,  I.  W.  Carr,  and  Justus  Sears.  In 
1888  the  building  was  painted  and  a  bell  purchased,  at  a  cost  of 
$250.  In  1892  a  new  floor  was  laid,  the  audience  room  seated  with 
opera  chairs,  and  some  miiipr  repairs  made  at  an  expense  of  $295. 
Prior  to  occupying  this  church  the  society  worshiped  in  the 
schoolhouse  and  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 

For  several  years  Prompton  was  supplied  from  Honesdale. 
Subsequently  it  was  a  part  of  Waymart,  and  finally  became  a  part 
of  Cherry  Ridge  charge. 

Pastorates 

1852,  M.  Carrier;  1853,  C.  L.  Griffin;  1854,  M.  Carrier;  1855, 
J.  A.  Baldwin;  1856-57,  C.  White;  1858,  J.  Madison;  1859,  C.  C. 
Smith,  J.  Whitham;  i860,  F.  lUman ;  1861,  A.  R.  Jones;  1862, 
W.  Silsbee;  1863,  N.  S.  Reynolds;  1864,  C.  Pearce;  1865-67,  D. 
Williams;  1868,  S.  T.  Cramp;  1869-71,  R.  Varcoe;  1872-74, 
J.  H.  Taylor;  1875,  C.  F.  Olmstead ;  1876-77,  G.  M.  Peck;  1878- 
79,  J.  L.  Wells;  1880-81,  J.  B.  Sweet;  1882-84,  A.  C.  Olver; 
1885,  R.  M.  Pascoe;  1886-87,  B.  N.  Butts;  1888-90,  S.  Morris; 
1891-93,  H.  E.  Wheeler;  1894-96,  William  Rawlings;  1897-98, 
W.  S.  Wilcox;  1899-1901,  E.  D.  Cavanaugh ;  1902-03,  J.  A. 
Transue. 

Clifford,  Pa. 

Clifford  charge  is  the  remnant  of  the  old  Dundaf¥  Circuit, 
which  in  1848  had  a  parsonage  and  eight  appointments,  two  of 
which  had  churches.  In  1850  the  circuit  included  Dundaff,  the 
present  territory  in  Clifford  charge,  Uniondale,  and  most  of  the 
Herrick  Center  charge.  The  circuit  retained  the  name  of  Dun- 
daff  until  1866,  when  it  was  changed  to  Clift'ord,  and  Dundaff  re- 
mained with  the  Clifford  Circuit  until  1880,  when  it  was  put  with 


Clifford,  Pa. 


625 


Uniondale  to  constitute  a  charge.  The  Dundaff  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  was  chartered  November  21,  1850,  with  Phihp  I. 
Stewart,  Francis  Hull,  Abraham  Churchill,  Isaac  Sullender, 
William  Meredith,  John  B.  Lake,  Wheeler  Lyon,  Andrew  Gid- 
dings,  and  G.  W.  P.  Lakin  trustees.  This  incorporation  was  for 
the  purpose  of  holding  property  and  transacting  business  for  the 
circuit.  The  stewards  for  the  circuit  that  year  were  Isaac  Sul- 
lender, J.  T.  Rood,  G.  W.  P.  Lakin,  F.  P.  Davison,  M.D.,  Philip 
Stewart,  and  A.  Speer.  The  class  leaders  for  the  year  were  I. 
Sullender,  J.  B.  Lake,  A.  Giddings,  R.  Kay,  J.  Hutchins,  J.  C. 
Dann,  G.  Lakin,  A.  Churchill,  Silas  Dann,  Peter  Bennett,  and 
H.  A.  Clum.  George  Grover  and  W.  M.  Churchill  were  local 
deacons,  and  A.  Churchill  and  Homer  Davison  exhorters. 

The  Clifford  class  worshiped  for  some  time  in  the  schoolhouse, 
and  for  a  while  in  the  Baptist  church.  In  1867  the  society  pur- 
chased a  half  interest  in  the  old  union  church,  the  Universalists 
owning  the  other  half.  The  site  for  the  present  church  was  pur- 
chased of  J.  Young  for  $113.  The  church  cost  $2,000,  and  was 
dedicated  on  November  22,  1882.  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  preached 
in  the  morning,  and  at  the  close  of  his  sermon  raised  $550  needed 
to  liquidate  all  indebtedness.  Rev.  A.  B.  Richardson  preached  in 
the  evening,  the  sermon  being  followed  by  short  addresses  by 
some  visiting  clergymen  and  local  parties. 

In  1890  a  Bell  Brigade  was  organized,  which  raised  funds  to 
purchase  the  bell. 

Mr.  Peter  Bennett  has  been  a  member  of  the  official  board  con- 
tinuously since  1851. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  an  important  factor  in  church 
work  since  1875. 

Some  time  before  1850  a  parsonage  property  was  bought,  Dun- 
daff  Circuit  agreeing  to  pay  for  it  in  annual  installments,  and 
subscriptions  providing  for  the  total  amount  were  secured.  The 
collection  of  the  subscriptions  was  not  properly  looked  after. 
Death,  removal,  and  embarrassment  of  subscribers  combined  to 
render  the  society  unable  to  fulfill  its  contract,  and  the  pastor 
moved  out  of  the  house.  In  185 1  an  acre  of  land  was  bought  at 
Lenoxville  and  a  parsonage  erected  on  it,  the  cost  of  house  and 
lot  being  about  $500.  In  1856  this  property  was  sold  for  $500,  and 
a  parsonage  property  in  Clifford  purchased.  In  1881  this  house 
and  a  part  of  the  parsonage  lot,  it  being  a  very  large  one,  was 
sold  to  Mr.  William  Green.  On  the  portion  of  the  lot  which 
was  not  sold  the  present  parsonage  was  built,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$1,000. 

40 


626 


Wyoming  Conferencc 


Lenoxville  is  four  miles  west  of  Clifford.  In  1847  1848  a 
small  class  was  organized  in  Lenoxville,  holding  its  meetings  in 
an  old  schoolhouse  which  has  been  remodeled  and  now  serves  as 
a  farmhouse  on  what  is  known  as  the  W.  F.  Bennett  farm. 
Hiram  White  was  the  leader,  and  Francis  Hull,  John  Carmichael, 
L.  N.  Beagle,  J.  T.  Rood,  Joseph  Allen,  and  A.  Churchill  among 
the  first  members. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  given  by  Mr.  E.  V.  Decker,  and 
the  church,  which  cost  $2,300,  was  built  in  1866.  The  dedicatory 
sermon  was  delivered  on  December  20,  1866,  by  Rev.  George  M. 
Peck,  the  presiding  elder.   A  debt  of  $400  lingered  several  years. 

The  society  was  incorporated  on  January  18,  1866,  with  the 
following  trustees:  S.  F.  Wright,  E.  V.  Decker,  M.  J.  Decker, 
E.  J.  Brundage,  P.  Van  Etten,  and  A.  Churchill. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  purchased  blinds  for  the  windows, 
papered  and  painted  the  church,  and  bought  new  stoves. 

Rev.  A.  Churchill  has  been  a  trustee  over  fifty  years.  He  was 
licensed  to  exhort  about  sixty-one  years  ago,  and  has  been  a  local 
preacher  nearly  fifty  years. 

Toinpkinsville  is  four  miles  south  of  Clifford.  About  1835  a 
Sunday  school  was  organized  in  a  barn  owned  by  Welcome  Col- 
lins, on  the  farm  now  known  as  the  Solomon  Wedeman  farm, 
about  two  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  Tompkinsville,  on  the  old 
turnpike,  and  Gideon  Palmer  was  chosen  superintendent.  Subse- 
quently Sunday  schools  were  organized  at  various  schoolhouses : 
Cobb  schoolhouse,  then  situated  on  the  old  turnpike  about  one 
mile  north  of  Carey's  Corners ;  Linen  schoolhouse,  about  two 
miles  north  of  Tompkinsville,  on  the  road  from  Tompkinsville  to 
Clifford;  barn  of  James  Cowperthwaite,  on  farm  now  owned  by 
Ira  Snyder,  one  mile  north  of  Tompkinsville;  Hemlock  school- 
house,  about  one  mile  northwest  of  Tompkinsville  (all  of  the  above 
places  are  no  longer  in  existence)  ;  Orvis  Corners  schoolhouse, 
about  one  and  one  fourth  miles  south  of  Tompkinsville;  and  at 
Coon  schoolhouse,  one  mile  east  of  Carey's  Corners.  In  1841 
Rev.  Benjamin  Ellis  began  preaching  at  these  places,  and  about 
1844  a  class  was  formed  at  the  home  of  Leonard  Spencer,  on  the 
farm  now  known  as  the  Henry  Spencer  farm,  on  the  turnpike 
about  one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Carey's  Corners.  This  class 
was  afterward  transferred  to  Tompkinsville.  One  writer  claims 
that  this  class  was  formed  in  1829.  This  is  improbable.  The 
members  of  this  first  class  were  Leonard  Spencer,  Rufus  Davison, 
James  Cowperthwaite,  George  Graves,  Richard  Graves,  James 


TOMPKINSVILLE,  PA. 


627 


Clarkson,  and  their  wives,  Polly  and  Susan  Hutchins,  Homer  and 
Elisha  Davison,  Susan  Brown  (afterward  a  Cure),  James  Linen, 
John  Miller,  Albert  Graves,  and  Samuel  Hutchins. 

In  1850  Homer  Davison  donated  a  site  for  the  church.  Upon 
the  application  of  George  Graves,  Cyril  Carpenter,  Richard 
Graves,  Rufus  Davison,  Francis  B.  Davison,  John  Miller,  Henry 
Clum,  Peter  Davison,  Robert  Broadfoot,  and  Silas  Dann,  the 
court  granted  the  society  a  charter  on  August  7,  185 1,  naming 
Robert  Davison,  Albert  Graves,  Joseph  Hutchins,  Joel  Dann, 
Homer  Davison,  and  Elisha  Davison  trustees.  Meanwhile  the 
erection  of  the  church  had  commenced.  John  Brizzy  laid  the 
foundation.  Benjamin  Tripp  and  Edwin  Graves  hewed,  framed, 
and  raised  the  frame  for  $225.  Benjamin  Tripp  contributed  $50, 
and  Edwin  Graves  $25,  though  not  a  member  of  the  society.  Joel 
Dann,  Pardon  and  Marvin  Barber,  and  James  Churchill  finished 
the  interior.  The  building  is  34x50  feet  and  cost  about  $1,000. 
The  church  was  dedicated  on  September  29,  1852,  Rev.  Nelson 
Rounds  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

At  the  time  this  church  was  built  there  were  but  three  churches 
between  Tompkinsville  and  Herrick  Center,  a  Methodist  and  a 
Presbyterian  at  Dundatf  and  a  Baptist  church  at  Clifford,  and  this 
was  the  only  church  in  the  townships  of  Scott  and  Greenfield. 

In  1873  the  building  was  extensively  repaired  at  an  expense  of 
$400.  The  church  was  reopened  on  January  28,  1874,  Rev.  S.  F. 
Wright  preaching  from  Hag.  ii,  9. 

In  1883  the  old  board  fence  was  supplanted  by  the  present  fence 
of  stone  posts  and  steel  chains.  Sheds  were  erected  in  1884,  and 
the  church  was  reroofed  in  1900. 

In  1901  $1,000  was  expended  in  general  repairs — wall  rebuilt, 
a  vestibule  constructed  on  front  of  the  church,  a  kitchen  and 
lecture  room  partitioned  off  the  rear  of  the  audience  room, 
seating  rearranged,  building  papered  and  painted.  On  June 
I,  1901,  a  reunion,  or  semicentennial  service,  and  dedication  was 
held,  Revs.  J.  F.  Warner,  G.  A.  Cure,  and  others  being  present 
and  participating  in  the  services. 

Rev.  G.  A.  Cure  springs  from  this  place. 

Hickory  Grove  is  a  schoolhouse  at  which  the  Clifford  pastor 
preached  biweekly  a  number  of  years. 

Pastorates 

1838,  L.  S.  Bennett;  1839,  C.  T.  Stanley;  1840,  George  C. 
Thompson;  1841,  Benjamin  Ellis;  1842,  John  Barnes;  1843, 


628 


Wyoming  Conference 


H.  Pilbeam;  1844-45,  H.  Brownscombe ;  1846-47,  G.  H.  Blakes- 
lee;  1848,  Asa  Brooks;  1849,  C.  Perkins;  1850-51,  G.  W.  Leach; 
1852-53.  S.  S.  Barter;  1854,  William  Shelp,  O.  B.  Kimble;  1855, 
William  Shelp;  1856-57,  S.  Barner ;  1858,  A.  Brigham,  H.  Stan- 
ley; 1859,  Brigham;  1860-61,  D.  Personeus ;  1862-63,  William 
Shelp;  1864-66,  S.  F.  Wright;  1867,  D.  K.  Evans;  1868-69,  E. 
N.  Hynson;  1870-71,  H.  H.  Dresser;  1872,  R.  Varcoe;  1873-75, 
A.  W.  Barrows;  1876,  G.  Pritchett;  1877-79,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1880- 
81,  G.  M.  Peck;  1882,  A.  W.  Loomis ;  1883-85,  J.  G.  Stephens; 
1886,  H.  A.  Blanchard;  1887-89,  J.  H.  Boyce;  1890-92,  S.  Homan ; 
1893,  F.  Marshall;  1894,  P.  Houck ;  1895-97,  D.  S.  MacKellar; 
1898-1900,  A.  O.  Williams;  1901-02,  J.  N.  Meaker ;  1903,  John 
Garretson. 

Damascus,  Pa. 

In  1 83 1  Joseph  Law  and  an  assistant  preacher  were  traveling 
a  circuit  in  the  New  York  Conference  which  included  this  terri- 
tory. They  lived  at  Alonticello,  N.  Y.,  and  had  appointments  at 
the  schoolhouses  in  ]\Iilanville,  Conklin  Hill,  Cochecton,  and 
Tammany  Flats.  The  latter  schoolhouse  was  on  the  banks  of  the 
Delaware,  a  few  miles  above  Cochecton,  near  the  place  where  ihe 
once  famous  Indian  chief  Tammanend,  or  Tammany,  had  his 
home. 

Sometime  in  the  forties  a  union  church  was  built  at  Cochecton, 
in  which  the  ]^Iethodists  and  Presbyterians  alternated  in  holding 
services.  During  the  years  from  1833  to  1847  the  following 
preachers  from  New  York  Conference  are  known  to  have  preached 
here:  Lilliman,  Furgason,  Smith,  Webster,  Wibberal,  Barnes, 
Ferris,  and  Perkins.  From  1848  to  1857  this  territory  formed  a 
part  of  Beach  Pond  Circuit,  and  in  1858  Damascus  appears 
among  the  appointments. 

The  first  class  was  organized  at  ]\Iilanville,  with  John  Tyler  as 
leader. 

In  1856  the  society  began  to  agitate  a  church  enterprise.  The 
half  interest  in  the  union  church  was  sold  to  the  Presbyterians, 
who  became  sole  owners  of  the  property.  On  August  14,  1856, 
the  society  met  at  the  Union  Academy  in  Damascus,  and  made 
application  for  a  charter,  which  the  court  granted  on  December  8, 
1856,  naming  John  Jackson,  Calvin  Tyler,  Jesse  D.  Bush,  Moses 
Tyler,  Israel  Tyler,  Webster  Sutliflf,  and  Lancalet  Drake  trustees 
of  ''The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Damascus."  At  the 
same  meeting  a  committee  of  four  was  appointed  to  circulate  a 
subscription  paper  for  a  new  church.    Among  the  subscriptions 


Damascus,  Pa. 


629 


that  were  subsequently  recorded  paid  were  those  of  George  Bush 
for  $150;  Moses  Tyler,  $150;  I.  Tyler,  $50;  and  on  the  day  of 
dedication  Mr.  Bush  added  $60  and  Mr.  Tyler  $25  to  their  sub- 
scriptions already  made.  The  church  was  built  on  a  lot  132x227 
feet,  purchased  of  Moses  Tyler  for  $36,  the  deed  for  which  was 
executed  October  2,  1857.  The  rear  of  the  lot  is  used  for  a 
cemetery.    On  November  25,  1857,  Charles  Drake  deeded  the 


W 

1  J 

1 

DAMASCUS  CHURCH 


society  a  lot  in  the  rear  of  the  above  for  $32  which  forms  a  part 
of  the  cemetery. 

On  Tuesday,  October  27,  1857,  the  church  which  cost  $1,605, 
was  dedicated.  Rev.  Jesse  T.  Peck,  D.D.,  read  Psa.  Ixxxiv,  Rev. 
E.  W.  Breckinridge  offered  prayer,  Rev.  Thomas  Mack,  pastor 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  read  a  New  Testament  lesson.  Rev. 
Jesse  T.  Peck  preached  from  Luke  iii,  4-6,  and  at  the  close  of  his 
sermon  dedicated  the  church. 

In  1874-75  $5,800  was  expended  in  remodeling  the  church,  of 
which  amount  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  contributed  $800.  The 
church  was  reopened  on  Wednesday,  February  24,  1875.  In  the 
morning  Rev.  W.  P.  Abbott  preached  from  Rev.  xix,  6,  after 


630 


Wyoming  Confere:nce 


which  Rev.  D.  D.  Lindsley  asked  the  audience  for  $5,000,  which 
amount  was  soon  raised.  Following  this  ofYering  Rev.  D.  C. 
Olmstead  conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  Rev.  D.  D.  Lindsley 
preached  in  the  evening  from  2  Tim.  iii,  16. 

This  church  was  repaired  in  1898  at  a  cost  of  $500.  The  iron 
fence  was  built  in  1893,  and  was  the  gift  of  George  Abraham. 

On  February  i,  i860,  ]^Ioses  Tyler  deeded  the  society  a  lot 
opposite  the  church  100x200  feet  for  $20.  Shortly  after  this 
George  Bush  deeded  the  society  a  lot  adjoining  the  above  and  the 
same  size.  The  parsonage  was  built  on  this  ground  in  1867  at 
a  cost  of  $800.  The  church  sheds  are  on  this  plot  of  ground,  as 
is  the  pastor's  barn  and  garden. 

Moses  Tyler,  John  Jackson,  and  Calvin  Tyler  were  the  first 
class  leaders. 

Galilee.  A  class  was  organized  here  in  1840  with  Joseph  Sut- 
Viff  leader.  The  first  members  were  P.  P.  Brigham,  David  Sut- 
liff,  Hiram  Brigham,  Joseph  Sutliff,  Calvin  Marks,  and  their 
wives.  Preaching  services  became  regular,  Galilee  being  a  part 
of  Beach  Pond  Circuit  at  the  time. 

After  worshiping  in  schoolhouses  thirty-six  years  the  society 
built  a  church.  On  December  15,  1875,  the  court  granted  a 
charter  to  ''The  Galilee  Centennial  Methodist  Episcopal  Church," 
naming  Joseph  Sutliff,  James  ^lonington,  Aaron  Brigham,  Eli 
Keeler,  O.  R.  Wliite,  Horace  Marks,  R.  J.  Kellogg,  Philip  Brig- 
ham, and  Asa  Stalker,  trustees.  In  1876  the  church,  which  is 
30x40  feet,  with  eighteen-foot  posts,  was  built.  It  has  a  base- 
ment, and  over  the  vestibule  is  a  gallery  which  seats  sixty  people. 
The  auditorium  seats  two  hundred  and  sixty  people.  The  church 
cost  $2,250,  and  was  built  on  a  lot  which  was  deeded  to  the 
society  by  Joseph  Sutliff  and  wife  on  September  13,  1877,  for  $50. 
The  building  was  dedicated  on  January  10,  1877,  Rev.  A.  J.  Van 
Cleft  preaching  in  the  morning  from  Luke  xxiv,  46,  and  Rev.  L. 
W.  Peck  in  the  evening  from  John  iv,  24.  After  the  dedicatory 
service  was  concluded  in  the  evening,  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  administered.  This  church  was  repaired  in  1885, 
at  a  cost  of  $382. 

Galilee,  with  Rileyville,  formed  a  charge  for  a  while. 

Calkins  is  one  of  the  appointments  on  Damascus  charge,  and  the 
society  worships  in  a  union  church. 

Milanville,  Ahrahamsville,  and  Conklin  Hill  are  schoolhouse 
appointments  served  by  the  Damascus  pastor. 


DUNMORE,  Pa. 


631 


Pastorates 

1858,  C.  White;  1859,  M.  Swallow;  1860-61,  D.  Williams; 
1862,  S.  Earner;  1863-64,  J.  L.  Race;  1865,  P.  D.  E.  Clark;  1866- 
68,  N.  S.  Reynolds;  1869-71,  Jonas  Underwood;  1872-74,  J.  R. 
Angell;  1875-76,  R.  J.  Kellogg;  1877-79,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1880-82, 
A.  W.  Cooper;  1883-84,  A.  W.  Loomis;  1885-87,  A.  C.  Olver; 
1888-89,  F-  A.  Dony;  1890-91,  A.  Osborne;  1892-93,  H.  G. 
Harned;  1894-95,  H.  E.  Wheeler;  1896-97,  W.  L.  Linnaberry; 
1898-1901,  1.  C.  Estes;  1902-03,  J.  H.  Boyce. 

DUNMORE,  Pa. 

Among  the  residents  of  Dunmore  in  185 1  were  Mrs.  Sabra 
Jackson,  Chauncey  Derby  and  wife,  Joseph  Savage  and  wife, 
Mrs.  Depuy  and  a  few  other  earnest  Methodists,  who  met  for 
worship  in  a  schoolhouse  on  North  Blakely  Street,  situated  where 
No.  2  school  building  now  stands.  The  class  continued  services 
in  the  schoolhouse  two  years,  when  Coolbaugh's  hall,  on  Drinker 
Street,  was  rented,  where  services  were  held  about  a  year.  The 
society  grew  so  in  numbers  that  it  felt  the  necessity  of  building 
a  church. 

Mr.  Edward  Spencer  gave  a  lot  on  Chestnut  Street,  upon 
which  a  comfortable  building  was  erected.  It  seems  to  have 
been  a  union  project,  as  other  evangelical  societies  used  it. 
After  worshiping  in  this  church  about  five  years  the  society 
determined  to  have  a  home  of  its  own.  Mr.  Spencer  gave  a 
lot  to  the  society  on  Chestnut  Street,  near  the  union  church. 
A  brick  church  35x52  feet  was  built  on  this  lot,  costing  $3,000, 
which  was  dedicated  on  April  11,  1861,  Rev.  Reuben  Nelson, 
D.D.,  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon.  The  building  committee 
was  John  Butler,  Stewart  Dilley,  and  George  W.  Simpson.  Mr. 
Spencer's  gift  of  this  lot  was  on  condition  that  the  seats  in  the 
church  should  be  free.  Should  the  society  at  any  time  determine 
to  rent  the  pews,  then  the  church  should  purchase  the  building 
lot.  After  a  few  years  the  free-seat  system  having  proved  a 
failure,  the  society  purchased  the  lot,  as  agreed. 

Among  the  prominent  members  at  that  time  were  the  following : 
T.  Dershimer,  G.  W.  Simpson,  Reuben  Mowery,  J.  Butler,  J. 
Foster,  J.  Rice,  C.  Cottle,  S.  Dilley,  J.  Donley,  E.  U.  Wort  and 
wife,  J.  Simpson,  Sabra  Jackson,  E.  Ellis,  E.  Foster,  R.  Donley, 
M.  Harper,  A.  Stewart,  G.  Rice,  and  L.  Cottle. 

On  October  3,  1878,  the  roof  of  the  church  was  blown  ofif,  but 
the  damage  was  speedily  repaired. 


632 


Wyoming  Coxferexce 


On  March  15,  1861,  the  Luzerne  County  Court  granted  a  char- 
ter to  ''The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Dunmore."  This 
charter  was  amended  on  June  2,  1884,  by  the  Lackawanna  County 
Court. 

In  May,  1888,  the  present  building  lot  on  South  Blakely  Street 
was  purchased,  and  the  house  which  stands  beside  the  church  was 
purchased  for  a  parsonage.  The  old  parsonage  which  was  built  in 
1 87 1,  on  Apple  Street,  on  a  plot  of  ground  donated  by  Mr.  Spen- 
cer, was  sold,  also  the  old  church  property,  and  the  proceeds  of 
both  used  in  the  new  enterprise.  The  new  church  was  built  with 
a  basement  which  was  divided  into  rooms  for  Sunday  school  and 
social  work,  and  cost,  including  lot,  about  $11,000.    The  building 


was  dedicated  on  February  24,  1889,  Rev.  G.  ]\L  Colville,  D.D., 
preaching  the  sermons  morning  and  evening,  and  Rev.  J.  B. 
Sumner  conducting  the  dedicatory  services.  Twenty-seven  hun- 
dred dollars  was  needed  to  provide  for  the  indebtedness.  This 
was  raised  and  enough  more  to  buy  a  bell  and  organ. 

In  1895  the  building  was  thoroughly  rebuilt  and  enlarged.  An 
addition  20x30  feet  built  on  the  rear,  a  new  entrance,  new 
bell,  auditorium  decorated,  recarpeted,  reseated,  gallery  construct- 
ed, and  the  basement  renovated  were  the  chief  changes  made.  The 
cost  of  these  improvements  was  $10,740.38.  Of  this  amount, 
$4,430.75  had  been  raised  prior  to  the  reopening,  which  occurred 
on  February  20,  1896,  and  $6,309.63  was  raised  on  this  day. 
Bishop  E.  G.  Andrews  preached  the  sermon  of  this  occasion, 


DUX  MORE  CHURCH 


Forest  City,  Pa. 


633 


A  shrinkage  in  subscriptions  made  it  necessary  to  make  an 
effort  to  get  out  of  debt.  Accordingly,  an  anniversary  service 
was  held  on  Sunday,  March  25,  1900.  Rev.  J.  E.  C.  Sawyer, 
D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  evening  Dr.  Sawyer  and 
Rev,  J,  C.  Leacock  delivered  addresses.  It  was  thought  that 
$1,500  of  dedicatory  subscriptions  would  be  paid.  In  addition 
$3,000  w^as  needed  and  raised. 

In  1 86 1  Dunmore  appeared  among  the  list  of  appointments. 
Prior  to  this  the  Dunmore  society  had  been  supplied  by  the  Provi- 
dence pastor,  he  preaching  at  Dunmore  in  the  afternoon. 

Pastorates 

1861-62,  Luther  Peck;  1863-64,  C.  L.  Rice;  1865,  J.  A.  Lippin- 
cott,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1866-67,  J.  T.  Crowell ;  1868,  George  Peck; 
1869-70,  T.  B.  Jayne;  1871,  C.  A.  Ward,  John  F.  Williams;  1872- 
74,  G.  A.  Severson;  1875-76,  J.  La  Bar;  1877-79,  J.  Madison; 
1880,  E.  P.  Eldridge;  1881-83,  J.  V.  Newell;  1884-86,  S.  Elwell; 
1887-90,  William  Edgar;  1891-95,  J.  C.  Leacock;  1896-97,  C. 
H.  Hayes;  1898-1900,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft;  1901-03,  C.  H.  Newing. 

Forest  City,  Pa. 

In  1 88 1,  Rev.  R.  P.  Christopher,  who  was  supplying  Uniondale, 
began  regular  preaching  services  at  Forest  City.  Services  were 
held  in  the  old  schoolhouse,  and  continued  there  until  the  society 
went  into  the  church. 

In  1884  Forest  City  made  its  debut  as  an  appointment,  having 
as  an  afternoon  appointment  No.  4  Chapel,  just  above  Carbon- 
dale. 

On  January  17,  1885,  the  court  granted  the  society  a  charter, 
with  W.  J.  Gilchrist,  William  Pentecost,  Benjamin  Maxey,  Robert 
H.  Dunn,  and  George  Johnson  as  trustees. 

The  lot  upon  which  the  church  and  parsonage  stand  was  leased 
of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company,  by  Rev.  R.  P. 
Christopher  and  William  M.  Pentecost  in  the  summer  of  1884  for 
ninety-nine  years.  On  November  25,  1890,  the  society  purchased 
the  lot  for  $350.  The  building  was  built  under  contract  by  L.  P. 
Wedeman,  of  Scranton,  and  cost  $1,700.  It  was  dedicated  on 
Wednesday,  November  17,  1886.  The  morning  service  was  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  R.  P.  Christopher,  and  consisted  of  short  addresses 
by  ministers  and  friends  present,  interspersed  with  singing.  In 
the  afternoon.  Rev.  A.  F.  Brown  conducted  the  opening  exercises, 
and  Rev.  O.  H.  McAnulty  preached  from  Matt,  xxv,  34,  46.  In 


634 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  evening  Rev.  W.  B.  Westlake  led  a  praise  service,  Rev.  J.  H. 
Littell  conducted  the  devotions,  and  Rev.  J.  B.  Sweet  preached 
from  Deut.  xi,  26.  Rev.  W.  M.  Hiller  managed  the  finances,  and 
in  the  afternoon  and  evening  raised  $700,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
evening  service  conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  In  building 
the  church,  Mr.  W.  A.  May,  in  behalf  of  the  Erie  Company, 
donated  the  hemlock  lumber  needed  in  the  building — 14,000  feet. 

The  parsonage  stands  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  and  was  built 
in  1893-94,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 

Vandling  is  about  two  miles  south  of  Forest  City.  A  Congre- 
gational church  was  built  there  a  few  years  ago,  but  the  society 
was  unable  to  pay  for  the  building.  It  consequently  went  into 
the  possession  of  the  contractor,  Mr.  Henry  Box.    There  being 


FOREST  CITY  CHURCH 


quite  a  number  of  Methodists  in  the  place,  they  invited  the  Forest 
City  pastor  to  assist  them  in  the  work  there,  which  he  did.  This 
resulted  in  the  organization  of  a  Methodist  society  on  the  first 
Sunday  in  November,  1889,  which  was  granted  a  charter  by  the 
court  on  March  13,  1900.  Roger  Bailey,  W.  H.  Vizzeard,  Richard 
Roberts,  William  Wilson,  and  Benjamin  Milton  were  the  first 


GOULDSBORO,  Pa. 


635 


trustees  of  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Vandhng, 
Lackawanna  County,  State  of  Pennsylvania."  The  church  prop- 
erty is  valued  at  $2,500.  The  society,  however,  secured  it  for 
$1,600. 

Pastorates 

1884-85,  R.  P.  Christopher;  1886,  J.  L.  Thomas;  1887-88,  J. 
Madison;  1889-91,  Jonathan  Weston ;  1892-94,  J.  C.  Hogan;  1895- 
98,  G.  B.  Stone;  1899,  L  N.  Steelman;  1900-03,  R.  L.  Clark. 

GOULDSBORO,  Pa. 

As  early  as  1845  the  itinerant  preached  at  the  "Briar  Patch" 
schoolhouse,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  Gouldsboro,  and  a 
class  was  formed  there.  About  forty-seven  years  ago  a  school- 
house  was  built  at  Sand-Cut,  as  Gouldsboro  was  then  called,  which 
was  to  be  free  to  all  Protestants  for  worship.  The  Methodist 
Episcopal  minister  from  Stoddartsville  was  the  first  to  open  work 
here.  Like  most  lumber  camps,  the  people  were  migratory,  and 
the  pastor  became  discouraged  and  abandoned  the  field.  The 
Methodist  Protestants  then  opened  work  here  and  continued 
several  years. 

The  Methodist  Episcopalians  organized  a  class  here  again  in 
1877  which  included  the  following  members :  E.  N.  Adams  and 
wife,  William  Crooks  and  wife,  James  Catterson  and  wife,  and 
Mrs.  Samuel  Hofford.  James  Catterson  was  the  leader.  Meet- 
ings were  held  on  Wednesday  evening  of  each  week,  and  preach- 
ing services  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse,  the  pastor  from  Stod- 
dartsville usually  supplying  the  pulpit,  though  the  Tobyhanna 
pastor  supplied  it  one  year. 

After  the  society  decided  to  build,  a  charter  was  received  on 
August  30,  1888,  and  the  deed  for  the  lot  was  executed  on  Novem- 
ber 7,  1888.  The  first  trustees  were  E.  N.  Adams,  John  Courtney, 
S.  A.  Adams,  James  Catterson,  William  Crooks,  W.  P.  Latimer, 
and  M.  J.  Kinney.  The  site  for  the  church  was  donated  by  John 
Courtney,  and  the  church  was  built  in  1890  at  a  cost  of  $1,250. 
The  trustees  were  the  building  committee,  and  W.  W.  Sackett  was 
the  contractor.  It  was  dedicated  on  January  13,  1891,  at  10:30, 
Rev.  H.  C.  McDermott  preaching  the  sermon  and  Rev.  J.  B. 
Sumner  conducting  the  dedicatory  service.  The  Church  Ex- 
tension Society  aided  this  enterprise  by  a  gift  of  $250.  ("The 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Daleville  was  taken  down  and 
removed  tO'  Gouldsboro,  and  is  the  one  now  there."  This  note 
comes  to  us  just  as  we  send  this  to  the  printer.) 


636 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  the  summer  of  1902  the  building  was  remodeled  at  a  cost  of 
$1,200,  and  dedicated  on  November  5,  1902,  by  Rev.  J.  F.  War- 
ner. Rev.  David  Evans  preached  in  the  morning,  Rev.  C.  M. 
Giffin,  D.D.,  in  the  afternoon,  and  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner  in  the  even- 
ing. 

Pastorates 

1891,  J.  W.  Harrison;  1892,  L.  T.  Van  Campen;  1893-94, 
C.  H.  Seward;  1895,  H.  A.  Smith;  1896,  B.  R.  Hanton;  1897- 
1901,  with  Stoddartsville  (Thornhurst)  ;  1902,  F.  F.  Gibbs; 
1903,  J.  S.  Lewis. 

Hale's  Eddy,  N.  Y. 

This  charge  appeared  among  the  appointments  in  1868  as 
Kingsbury  Hill,  and  carried  this  name  until  1870,  when  by  vote 
of  the  fourth  Quarterly  Conference,  held  March  19,  1870,  it  was 
decided  to  call  the  charge  Hale's  Eddy. 

There  are  five  classes  on  the  charge — Hale's  Eddy,  Kingsbury 
Hill,  Winterdale,  Maple  Grove,  and  Rood's  Creek ;  the  last  three 
societies  worship  in  schoolhouses. 

Prior  to  going  into  the  church  the  Hale's  Eddy  society  wor- 
shiped in  the  schoolhouse.  On  February  13,  1872,  Mr.  James 
Thomas  deeded  the  society  a  lot  as  a  gift,  and  the  same  year  a 
parsonage  was  built  on  it  costing  $500.  It  has  since  been  en- 
larged and  improved.  In  1881  Mr.  H.  H.  Blossom  gave  the 
society  a  lot  adjoining  the  parsonage  property.  This  lot  and  part 
of  the  parsonage  lot  were  used  as  a  site  for  the  church.  The 
building  is  46x30  and  was  begun  on  August  30,  1881.  It  was 
dedicated  on  February  26,  1882,  by  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft.  The 
church  cost  $1,368.74,  $250  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of 
dedication.  The  Northern  Christian  Advocate  noting  the  event, 
stated  that  the  class  had  worshiped  more  than  fifty  years  in  a 
schoolhouse.    The  church  has  since  been  thoroughly  repaired. 

Kingsbury  Hill  society  worshiped  in  a  schoolhouse  many  years. 
The  site  for  the  church  was  donated  by  Mr.  O.  M.  Kingsbury. 
The  building  was  begun  in  September,  1882,  and  dedicated  on 
February  18,  1883,  cost  $1,494.     Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft 

preached  from  Gal.  iv,  5,  6,  and  in  the  evening  Rev.  J.  B.  Sweet 
preached.  During  the  day  over  $500  was  raised.  At  the  close 
of  the  evening  service  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  conducted  the  dedi- 
catory s.ervice.  A  debt  of  $450  was  carried  until  1889,  when  a 
grant  of  $150  from  the  Church  Extension  Society  served  as  an 
inspiration  to  the  society  to  provide  for  the  balance. 


Hawley,  Pa. 


637 


Pastorates 

1868,  H.  H.  Clancy;  1869-70,  S.  S.  Swingle;  1871-73,  M.  D. 
Fuller;  1874-76,  P.  J.  Gates;  1877,  A.  F.  Harding;  1878,  J.  B. 
Chynoweth;  1879,  F.  P.  Doty;  1880-82,  I.  P.  Towner;  1883, 
J.  R.  Allen;  1884,  E.  Kilpatrick;  1885,  J.  L.  Thomas;  1886,  J.  C. 
Hogan;  1887-90,  B.  F.  Larabee;  1891-92,  S.  Morris;  1893,  J.  H. 
Perry;  1894,  T.  Burgess;  1895-97,  A.  Eastman;  1898-1903,  O.  G. 
Russell. 

Hawley,  Pa. 

The  beginning  of  Methodism  in  Hawley,  earlier  known  as 
Paupack  Eddy,  is  unknown.  It  was  one  of  the  appointments  of 
Lackawaxen  Circuit,  which  included  Lackawaxen,  The  Narrows, 
The  Eddy,  Tafton,  Paupack,  Purdytown,  Middle  Creek,  Darling- 
ville,  Lord's  Valley,  Shohola  Falls,  and  Rattlesnake  Schoolhouse. 
In  1843  Salem  and  Lackawaxen  were  served  by  Rev.  William 
Dean.  In  1844  Salem  and  Lackawaxen  received  two  preachers, 
Thomas  Wilcox  and  Elbert  A.  Young.  This  indicates  that 
Lackawaxen  was  growing.  Young  was  junior  preacher,  and  the 
work  was  supervised  by  Wilcox.  In  1845  the  preachers  were 
G.  M.  Peck  and  J.  D.  Safford,  and  in  1846  E.  A.  Young  and  J.  D. 
Safford  were  the  appointees.  Mr.  Safford  had  charge  of  Lacka- 
waxen. 

"Brother  Safford  kept  a  diary,  from  which  the  following,  under 
date  of  August  16,  1844,  was  copied:  'Rode  ten  miles  (from 
Waymart  to  Honesdale).  My  road  then  was  the  towpath  along 
the  canal  and  the  Lackawaxen.  But  few  inhabitants  except  boat- 
men and  lock-tenders.  Very  little  flat  land  on  the  Lackawaxen. 
Precipitous  hills  generally  on  either  side,  covered  with  oak  and 
pine.  The  surrounding  country  quite  barren,  and  altogether 
looked  rather  dismal.  But  I  thought,  'What  is  this  to  Africa  or 
other  mission  fields?"  and  then  thanked  God  and  took  courage. 
Rode  nineteen  miles  down  this  stream,  and  put  up  with  Brother 
A.  J.  Rogers,  a  local  preacher.  Found  him  to  be  a  good,  sociable, 
kind  soul,  and  my  heart  gathered  courage.'  In  the  same  diary  I 
find  this  record  for  Thursday,  January  15,  1846:  'Attended  the 
dedication  of  a  Baptist  chapel  at  Paupack  Eddy.  Elder  Curtis 
preached  a  very  good  sermon.  Took  up  a  collection  toward 
canceling  the  debt  on  the  house.  Raised  by  collection  and  sub- 
scription $105.  On  the  whole,  a  very  good  meeting.  The  Baptist 
brethren  gave  me  an  invitation  to  preach  in  their  house.  Felt 
thankful  for  this  mark  of  Christian  courtesy.'  On  July  22,  1846, 
the  Oneida  Conference  met  at  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  and  on  the  30th, 


638  Wyoming  Conference 


when  the  appointments  were  read  by  Bishop  Janes,  Brother 
Safford  was  returned  to  the  Lackawaxen  Circuit." 

During  1847  R^v.  C.  E.  Taylor  and  Rev.  J.  B.  Cooper  served 
the  charge.  In  1848  Lackawaxen  was  separated  from  Salem, 
and  J.  B.  Cooper  was  pastor.  In  1849  Lackawaxen  and  Hawley 
received  Rev.  O.  F.  Morse  and  Rev.  A.  J.  Rogers  as  pastors. 
These  men  alternated  in  their  preaching  at  Hawley.  In  1850 
Hawley  became  an  appointment. 

The  class  w^as  probably  organized  early  in  1849,  the  fol- 
lowing are  supposed  to  have  been  its  members :  Abraham  Snyder, 
leader;  Mrs.  A.  Snyder;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Longstreet,  familiarly 
called  "Mother,"  her  daughter  Keturah  (now  ]\Irs.  J.  T.  Rod- 


HAWLEY  CHURCH 


man),  and  son  S.  P.  Longstreet;  Mrs.  Susanna  Hand,  sister  of 
''Mother"  Longstreet ;  Mrs.  Serenda  Gothard ;  Armenia  Wood- 
w  ard  and  her  sister  Miss  Hannah  Miller ;  William  L.  Stewart  and 
wife ;  John  W.  Andreas  and  wife ;  and  Charles  V.  Taft. 

Services  were  first  held  in  the  schoolhouse  w^hich  stood  just 
north  of  the  present  Baptist  meetinghouse,  on  part  of  what  is 
know^n  as  the  "Old  Cemetery."  Subsequently,  in  the  latter  part 
of  1849,  the  place  of  meeting  was  changed  to  the  second  floor  of 
the  Longstreet  building,  now  occupied  by  William  Schardt  as  a 
residence  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Alain  and  River  Streets. 
Later  the  services  were  held  in  the  second  story  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Coal  Company's  new  machine  shop.  Later  still  they  were 
transferred  to  the  schoolhouse  now  used  by  James  Runyon  as  a 


Hawley,  Pa. 


639 


dwelling,  on  Seventeenth  Street ;  and  again  to  the  second  story  of 
S.  W.  Spencer's  brick  building  on  Twentieth  Street,  now  owned 
by  Thomas  Howell. 

The  society  met  at  the  schoolhouse  in  January,  1850,  and 
elected  John  W.  Andreas,  William  L.  Stewart,  Charles  V.  Taft, 
Abraham  Snyder,  and  Samuel  W.  Spencer  trustees.  W.  L. 
Stewart  presided  at  this  meeting,  and  Charles  Jamison  acted  as 
clerk.  Application  was  made  to  the  court  for  a  charter,  which 
was  granted  January  21,  1851,  naming  the  above  as  trustees.  A 
church  project  was  set  afoot.  'The  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company, 
whose  coal-shipping  interests  were  the  main  reasons  for  the 
growth  of  the  place,  donated  three  lots  on  the  west  side  of  Nine- 
teenth Street  coming  on  Sixteenth  Street.  The  contract  for  the 
erection  of  the  church  was  let  to  Morveldin  Plum  for  the  sum  of 
$800;  the  trustees  to  furnish  the  material,  the  building  to  be 
inclosed  as  soon  as  possible,  and  then  the  work  to  progress  as  the 
material  could  be  furnished  and  the  bills  met  for  the  labor."  The 
church,  which  cost  $2,200,  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  September 
18,  1853,  ^^^v.  William  Wyatt  preaching  his  "Ladder  Sermon." 
The  company,  however,  did  not  give  the  society  a  deed  for  the  site 
until  October  15,  1855. 

In  1870  the  building  was  improved  by  removing  the  gallery 
from  the  front  end  of  the  auditorium,  building  an  alcove  in  the 
rear  of  the  pulpit,  recarpeting  and  repapering,  reseating  and 
making  some  minor  improvements.  Mr.  Mordecai  Simons  had 
charge  of  the  work,  which  cost  about  $2,000.  The  building  was 
reopened  on  Sunday,  December  18,  1870.  Rev.  W.  P.  Abbott 
preached  at  10:30  on  'The  Government  of  God,"  and  Rev. 
William  Bixby  preached  in  the  evening.  One  thousand  dollars 
was  raised  on  this  day. 

In  1884  $1,200  was  spent  in  improving  the  church  property, 
and  in  1890-91  $3,200  was  expended  in  extensively  remodeling 
the  church.  The  improvements  included  a  tower,  new  front  to 
the  church,  and  a  new  roof.  A  debt  of  $1,300  remained,  which 
consumed  several  years  in  liquidation. 

In  1900  $2,000  was  spent  in  reconstructing  the  interior.  The 
floor  was  elevated,  oak  wainscoting  replaced  the  old,  new  pews 
v/ere  put  in,  a  new  chancel  built,  the  choir  placed  in  the  rear  of 
the  pulpit,  walls  and  ceiling  repapered,  floor  recarpeted,  and 
electric  lights  installed.  The  building  was  reopened  on  Decem- 
ber 30,  1900,  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner  preaching  morning  and  evening 
and  conducting  the  dedicatory  service. 

The  Pennsylvania  Coal  Company  gave  the  site  for  the  parson- 


640 


Wyoming  Conference 


age,  which  was  built  in  1859  by  Mr.  Morveldin  Plum  for  $835. 
The  society  received  the  deed  for  the  ground  on  August  30,  i860. 
From  1895  to  1899  this  house  was  improved  and  modernized. 

While  most  of  the  pastorates  have  witnessed  conversions,  some 
years  have  been  notable.  The  "great  revival"  occurred  in  1853, 
when  there  were  one  hundred  and  twenty  accessions.  In  1856-57 
there  was  a  large  revival ;  in  1858-59  seventy-five  were  added  to 
the  church  by  revival  work,  and  1866-67  ^^as  a  good  revival  year. 

During  the  history  of  this  church  the  following  have  at  various 
times  been  leaders  of  the  different  classes :  Abraham  Snyder, 
W.  L.  Stewart,  S.  W.  Batchley,  Charles  Pierson,  John  Bell,  John 
Farrell,  J.  T.  Rodman,  Earle  Stone,  J.  J.  Baisden,  Oliver  Rowe, 
W.  D.  Curtis,  John  Hafler,  John  Cronk,  Jacob  Harris,  Amos  De 
Long,  Airs.  E.  L.  Rhone  (now  Mrs.  Dr.  Stephens),  Philip 
Davis,  Mrs.  C.  H.  Woodward,  S.  T.  Palmer,  S.  C.  Simpkins, 
J.  P.  Simpkins,  and  W.  H.  Decker.  The  following  have  served 
as  superintendents  of  the  Sunday  school  since  its  organization : 
Abraham  Snyder,  James  T.  Rodman,  John  Bell,  Charles  Taft, 
Earle  Stone,  Mrs.  E.  L.  Stephens,  J.  H.  Thompson,  Air.  Weed, 
J.  S.  Welsh,  and  AI.  T.  Snyder.  Among  those  who  have  been 
connected  with  this  church  during  its  history  as  local  preachers 
or  exhorters  are  A.  J.  Rogers,  T.  R.  Tuck,  Abraham  Snyder, 
G.  L.  Griffin,  S.  P.  Longstreet,  Charles  Pierson,  S.  W.  Batchley, 
J.  T.  Rodman,  Dr.  H.  B.  Stephens,  S.  C.  Simpkins,  Jacob  Harris. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  regularly  pays  the  insurance  and 
taxes,  and  keeps  the  parsonage  and  furniture  in  repair.  It  has 
also  figured  largely  in  raising  funds  for  church  improvements 
and  paying  debts. 

Pastorates 

1850,  Asa  Brooks;  1851-52,  J.  B.  Cooper;  1853,  C.  E.  Taylor; 
1854,  B.  B.  Emery;  1855,  C.  W.  Giddings ;  1856-57,  C.  L.  Rice; 
1858-59,  L.  Cole;'  i860,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1861,  D.  A.  Shepard; 
1862-63,  J.  F.  Wilbur;  1864-65,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1866-67,  W.  W. 
Welch;  one  half  of  1868,  C.  \\'.  Todd;  balance  of  year,  H.  G. 
Harned;  1869-71,  X.  S.  Reynolds;  1872-74,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1875- 
77,  J.  V.  Newell;  1878-79,  J.  F.  Williams;  1880-81,  P.  R.  Tower; 
1882-84,  W.  B.  Westlake;  1885-87,  J.  V.  Xewell ;  1888-90,  G.  A. 
Cure;  1891-94,  I.  N.  Shipman ;  1895-99,  Cooper;  1900-03, 

S.  C.  Simpkins. 

Herrick  Center,  Pa. 

The  class  at  Herrick  Center  was  formed  about  1830,  or  soon 
after  the  formation  of  the  Lyon  Street  class. 


Herrick  Center,  Pa. 


641 


Meetings  were  held  about  fifty  years  in  a  schoolhouse  which 
stood  just  below  Plynn's  Hotel.  The  lot  is  now  owned  by  M.  J. 
Van  Horn,  but  the  old  schoolhouse  has  been  replaced  by  the 
abandoned  schoolhouse  now  on  the  lot.  About  1840  an  attempt 
to  build  a  church  was  made,  quite  an  amount  of  subscriptions 
being  secured  by  Patrick  McGonigle,  but  for  some  reason  the 
project  failed. 

The  charter  of  'The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Herrick  Center"  was  filed  in  court  April  9,  1872.  C.  C.  Spencer, 
P.  McGonigle,  and  Lucius  Curtis  were  the  first  trustees.  Some 
of  the  members  at  this  time  were  Rev.  William  Churchill,  A.  C. 
Dunn,  C.  A.  Campbell,  R.  H.  Dunn,  C.  C.  Spencer,  P.  McGonigle, 
A.  O.  Churchill,  and  their  wives. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  donated  by  R.  P.  Patterson,  of 
Carbondale,  Pa.,  who  at  that  time  was  running  a  tannery  in  the 
place.  The  church  is  30x50,  and  was  dedicated  on  March  5,  1882. 
Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  preached  in  the  morning,  and  after  the 
sermon  raised  $450,  an  unprovided  balance  on  the  cost  of  the 
building.  Rev.  R.  W.  Van  Schoick  preached  in  the  evening,  after 
which  a  testimonial  of  $110  was  given  the  pastor. 

During  Rev.  M.  D.  Fuller's  pastorate  he  purchased  a  lot  and 
built  a  house,  at  his  own  expense,  though  he  did  not  complete  it. 
After  he  left  the  charge  the  society  bought  the  property  of  him, 
and  finished  the  house. 

This  society  used  to  be  a  part  of  Dundaff  Circuit. 

East  Ararat  is  three  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  Herrick 
Center.  This  class  was  formed  about  1830,  and  was  at  first  a 
part  of  Lanesboro  Circuit,  subsequently  a  part  of  Dundaff 
Circuit,  and  finally  a  part  of  Herrick  Center  charge.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  first  class  were  Daniel  Ogden,  Simeon  Tyler,  Lyman 
Tyler,  and  their  wives,  and  Lemuel  Ogden.  Daniel  Ogden  was 
the  leader.  Timothy  Simonds  had  a  double  house  made  of  hewn 
logs.  Here  the  first  meetings  were  held.  Horace  Hathaway 
joined  the  class  soon  after  its  organization.  He  raised  a  large 
family,  all  of  whom  came  into  the  church.  One  of  his  sons,  Rev. 
H.  P.  Hathaway,  was  a  useful  local  preacher  many  years.  His 
grandson,  C.  W.  Hathaway,  has  been  a  steward  here  over  twenty- 
five  years. 

Shortly  after  the  class  was  formed  a  log  schoolhouse  was  built 
on  what  is  now  the  H.  E.  Bennett  farm.    Meetings  were  held  in 
this  a  number  of  years.    About  1855  ^  ^^^^  schoolhouse  was 
built,  which  is  still  standing  and  used  as  a  dwelling.   The  society 
41 


642 


Wyoming  Conference 


took  the  services  into  this  building,  and  continued  to  use  it  until 
the  church  was  built. 

On  August  18,  1 87 1,  the  society  received  its  charter,  with 
T.  J.  Lewis,  P.  T.  Dunn,  and  L.  D.  Simonds  as  trustees.  Mrs. 
H.  N.  Hathaway  presented  the  society  with  a  lot,  upon  which  a 
church  was  built  which  cost  $2,000.  The  building  was  dedicated 
on  Tuesday,  December  29,  1874.  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead  preached 
in  the  morning  and  Rev.  A.  Griffin  in  the  evening.  During  the 
day  $1,115.50  was  raised.  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead  conducted  the 
dedicatory  service. 

The  building  was  repaired  in  1901  at  a  cost  of  $350.  The 
church  was  reroofed,  inside  walls  covered,  a  steel  ceiling  put  on, 
and  the  seats  were  rearranged. 

The  society  carried  a  debt  of  $800  until  it  became  distressing. 
This  was  raised  in  the  first  week  of  February,  1882.  A  three 
days'  meeting  was  held.  Revs.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  and  E.  C.  Curtis, 
D.D.,  of  Syracuse,  were  present  and  helped.  On  Thursday  even- 
ing, near  midnight,  the  last  dollar  was  secured. 

Mrs.  H.  N.  Hathaway  has  been  a  member  of  this  society  over 
fifty-three  years. 

Mine's  Corners  is  about  seven  miles  northeast  of  Herrick 
Center.  Methodism  began  its  work  here  in  1849.  Prior  to  this 
no  services  were  held.  Catherine  Hine,  wife  of  Merritt  Hine, 
was  converted  in  her  home,  about  midnight.  The  result  of  this 
was  an  invitation  to  Rev.  N.  S.  De  Witt,  pastor  on  Lanesboro 
Circuit,  to  open  work  here.  A  series  of  meetings  was  held  in 
the  schoolhouse  which  resulted  in  about  fifty  conversions.  A 
class  was  organized  at  once,  consisting  of  Merritt  Hine,  Cath- 
erine Hine,  Royal  and  Sarah  Hine,  Philander  and  Lorenzo  Hine, 
D.  J.  and  Elizabeth  Hine,  Elvira  and  Catherine  (2d)  Hine, 
David,  Henry,  and  Jane  Thurston,  Ira  Knapp,  D.  M.  and 
Miranda  Benedict,  Calvin  and  Charity  Hatch,  Gilbert  Wheeler, 
Enoch  Cordner,  David  Cordner  and  wife,  James  and  Elvira 
Dunn,  Jacob  Shaffer  and  wife,  William  Cordner  and  wife,  and 
Eleazer  Townsend.  D.  M.  Benedict  was  the  leader  for  about 
five  years  after  the  class  was  formed,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
Royal  Hine,  who  was  leader  forty  years.  Meetings  were  held  in 
the  schoolhouse  until  the  church  was  built. 

The  society  was  incorporated  in  July,  1876,  with  D.  M.  Bene- 
dict, D.  J.  Hine,  N.  F.  Hine,  Royal  Hine,  J.  E.  Fletcher,  William 
Lee,  and  H.  W.  Woodmansee  trustees.  The  site  was  donated  by 
Mr.  D.  J.  Hine.    The  church  cost  $1,600,  and  was  dedicated  in 


HONESDALE,  PA. 


643 


1878  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman.  The  building  was  repaired  in  1898 
and  again  in  1903,  $2(X)  being  spent  at  each  time. 

Mr.  D.  J.  Hine  has  been  steward  and  trustee  forty-five  years. 

Pastorates 

1869,   ;  1870,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1871,  J.  R.  Angel;  1872, 

G.  T.  Price;  1873,  R.  C.  Gill;  1874-75,  W.  G.  Robinson;  1876-77, 
J.  B.  Chynoweth;  1878-79,  S.  H.  Wood;  1880-82,  J.  G.  Stephens; 
1883-84,  I.  P.  Towner;  1885,  P.  Houck;  1886,  R.  P.  Christopher; 
1887-89,  P.  Holbrook;  1890-91,  B.  N.  Butts;  1892,  J.  Davy; 
1893-94,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1895,  D.  F.  Unangst;  1896-98,  T.  J. 
Vaughn;  1899-1903,  W.  F.  Boyce. 

HONESDALE,  Pa. 

Here,  as  in  many  cases,  we  have  no  record  of  beginnings. 
Record  is  made  of  Sophronius  Stocking  being  the  first  Methodist 
preacher  to  visit  the  place.  This  was  in  1825,  and  Rev.  Stocking 
was  one  of  the  three  preachers  working  Canaan  Circuit.  The 
class  here  was  a  part  of  Canaan  Circuit  until  1830.  From  1830 
to  1840  Bethany  and  Honesdale  appear  as  a  charge  in  the 
Minutes,  and  in  1841  Honesdale  became  an  appointment.  Prior 
to  1834  the  society  worshiped  in  private  houses  and  the  school- 
house.  In  1834  Jason  Torrey  presented  the  society  with  a  site 
for  church  purposes,  which  was  on  the  sidehill.  The  deed  of 
conveyance  was  not  executed,  however,  until  August  2,  1845. 
The  corner  stone  for  the  first  house  of  worship  was  laid  in  1834, 
and  the  building  finished  soon  after.  This  building  was  enlarged 
"one  half  its  original  dimensions"  in  1845  order  to  serve  the 
demands  of  the  growing  society.  This  church  and  lot  were  sold 
to  Content  R.  Jackson  on  June  16,  1881,  for  $800.  The  building 
is  now  used  as  a  dwelling  house.   It  is  located  on  Eleventh  Street. 

On  March  21,  1868,  Alanson  Blood  and  wife  deeded  to  the 
society  a  lot  75x150  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Fifteenth  Streets 
for  $2,500.  When  the  society  decided  to  build  on  the  present 
site  this  property  was  of¥ered  for  sale,  and  on  September  2,  1872, 
was  sold  to  Mattie  C.  Holmes. 

In  1872  the  present  site,  which  included  the  parsonage,  was 
bought  of  Miss  Gilbert,  and  was  the  Dr.  King  property.  On 
July  4,  1872,  the  corner  stone  was  laid  with  fitting  ceremonies. 
Rev.  J.  M.  Reid,  D.D.,  delivered  an  address  upon  "The  Sacred- 
ness  of  Places."  The  corner  stone  was  cut  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
where  all  of  the  trimmings  for  the  church  were  cut.  The  follow- 


644 


Wyoming  CoNFERfiNcfi 


ing  articles  were  deposited  in  the  corner  stone :  Bible ;  Church 
hymn  book ;  Church  almanac ;  Church  Discipline ;  Sabbath  school 
singing  book  and  the  uniform  Sabbath  school  lessons  for  1872; 
Minutes  of  the  Wyoming  Conference ;  manual  of  x\merican  Bible 
Society  for  1871 ;  copies  of  the  county  papers  and  of  various 
other  journals,  both  secular  and  religious ;  report  of  the  Delaware 
and  Hudson  Canal  Company  for  1871,  embracing  maps  of  all  the 
roads  operated  by  them ;  catalogue  and  list  of  officers  of  the 
Franklin  Lyceum  Association;  names  of  the  presiding  elders  of 
the  district,  the  pastors  of  the  Honesdale  churches,  board  of 


HOXESDALE  CHURCH 


trustees,  building  committee,  officers  of  the  Honesdale  National 
Bank,  of  the  Wayne  County  Savings  Bank,  borough  officers ; 
portrait  of  the  late  R.  M.  Seely;  specimen  of  United  States 
Continental  currency  ($2)  dated  July  9,  1775;  United  States 
fractional  currency ;  postage  stamps ;  Honesdale  currency  used 
during  the  rebellion ;  and  United  States  coin  of  1872.  The  cur- 
rencv  and  the  portrait  of  Colonel  Seelv  were  contributed  by  S.  D. 
Ward. 

The  church  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  July  i,  1874. 
Bishop  R.  S.  Foster  preached  at  the  morning  service  from  John 
i,  18,  and  Rev.  B.  1.  Ives,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  evening  from 
Rom.  xii,  i.    Dr.  Ives  handled  the  finances  during  the  day. 


HONESDALE,  Pa. 


645 


The  total  cost  of  the  edifice,  parsonage,  and  lot  up  to  the  day 
of  dedication  was  $56,650.20.  Total  assets,  including  subscrip- 
tions, old  church  property,  and  uptown  lot,  $24,477.23,  leaving 
a  balance  to  be  provided  for  on  the  day  of  dedication  of 
$32,172.97.  There  was  raised  by  subscription  at  the  morning 
service,  $28,000;  in  the  evening,  $6,000 — about  $2,000  more  than 
was  needed.  Th^  subscribing  was  heroic.  The  pastor  subscribed 
$1,000.  Four  men  subscribed  $1,500  each,  and  several  promised 
$1,000  each.  The  work  of  soliciting  continued  until  midnight, 
when  Bishop  Foster  conducted  the  dedicatory  service. 

Some  gave  their  savings  of  years,  many  promised  more  than 
they  ought.  The  panic  of  the  seventies  rendered  many  unable 
to  meet  their  obligations.  There  was  a  consequent  shrinkage  of 
subscriptions  which  seriously  embarrassed  the  society  many  years. 
A  bitter  struggle  ensued  to  pay  for  the  church.  The  property 
was  sold  at  sheriff's  sale  on  December  16,  1880,  and  was  bought 
by  Mr.  Justus  Sears.  Mr.  Sears  befriended  the  society  in  its 
troubles.  Prior  to  this  he  had  bought  a  claim  against  the  society 
of  Miss  Clarissa  Gilbert  for  $8,000.  With  these  and  other  claims 
bought  he  invested  $15,000,  and  became  the  owner  of  the  prop- 
erty, thus  giving  the  society  time  to  redeem  the  property.  After 
much  sacrifice  the  debt  was  reduced  to  about  $10,000.  In  1890 
the  pastor  canvassed  the  Conference,  raising  about  $6,000,  and 
the  people  of  Honesdale  raised  the  balance,  so  that  the  church 
was  freed  from  an  oppressive  burden.  The  property  was  deeded 
to  the  society  by  Justus  Sears  and  wife  on  October  15,  1890,  in 
consideration  of  $10,937.50. 

On  Sunday,  July  4,  1897,  the  society  observed  the  twenty-fifth 
anniversary  of  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone.  Rev.  W.  L. 
Thorpe  preached  in  the  morning  from  Heb.  xi,  39,  40,  and  in  the 
evening  a  platform  meeting  was  held  at  which  addresses  were 
made  by  Revs.  C.  A.  Benjamin,  W.  H.  Swift,  R.  M.  Roderick, 
W.  L.  Thorpe,  and  Homer  Greene,  Esq. 

The  society  never  recovered  from  the  mistake  made  in  locating 
their  first  church  on  the  hillside,  away  from  the  center  of 
population. 

Rev.  C.  H.  Harvey  sadly  demoralized  the  society  by  going 
into  spiritualism — going  so  far  as  to  have  seances  and  entertain- 
ing a  medium  in  his  house  while  living  in  the  parsonage. 

Honesdale  Church  has  been  a  revival  church.  Some  specially 
extensive  revivals  have  been  noted.  In  January  and  February, 
1868,  there  were  over  two  hundred  conversions,  and  one  hundred 
and  ten  probationers  were  received.    In  January  and  February, 


646 


Wyoming  Conference 


1874,  sixty  probationers  were  received,  and  in  1877  four  hundred 
conversions  were  reported. 

Honesdale  entertained  the  Oneida  Conference  in  July,  1850, 
the  Wyoming  Conference  in  April,  1869,  April,  1877,  and  in 
April,  1893. 

A  parsonage  was  built  in  1843  or  1844  on  Third  Street,  below 
Ninth,  which  was  used  until  sold  on  August  5,'  1871,  to  Samuel 
B.  Haley. 

Pastorates 

1841,  Perry  G.  White;  1842  (and  Beach  Pond),  Perry  G. 
White;  1843-44,  William  Reddy ;  1845-46,  A.  Barker;  1847-48, 
R.  Cooke;  1849,  J-  S.  Mitchell;  1850,  Cassius  H.  Harvey;  1851, 
W.  Wyatt;  1852-53,  C.  W.  Giddings ;  1854,  D.  C.  Olmstead ; 
1855,  L.  D.  Tryon,  A.  Barker;  1856-57,  E.  Owen;  1858,  H.  R. 
Clarke,  C.  W.  Giddings;  1859,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1860-61,  A.  P. 
Mead;  1862-63,  Z.  Paddock;  1864-66,  L.  Cole;  1867-69,  W.  J. 
Judd;  1870-72,  J.  O.  Woodruff;  1873-75,  H.  M.  Crydenwise ; 
1876-77,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft;  1878,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft,  E.  P.  Eldridge ; 
1879-81,  Thomas  Harroun;  1882-84,  A.  B.  Richardson;  1885-87, 
W.  L.  Thorpe;  1888-91,  H.  C  McDermott;  1892,  J.  G.  Eckman ; 
1893-97,  C.  A.  Benjamin;  1898,  J.  E.  Bone;  1899-1903,  G.  A. 
Place. 

Jackson,  Pa. 

It  is  claimed  that  there  were  two  classes  in  Jackson  in  18 16. 
Nancy  Stone  died  in  1878  at  ninety-one  years  of  age.  According 
to  her  recollection,  as  preserved  by  Parley  Cargill,  the  first 
preaching  in  Jackson  was  by  Nathaniel  Lewis,  a  local  preacher 
who  preached  more  or  less  all  through  this  section.  He  formed 
a  class  at  East  Jackson  in  1816,  consisting  of  James  Cargill, 
Nancy  Stone,  John  Snow  and  wife,  and  David  Hine  and  wife. 
James  Cargill  was  appointed  leader,  and  served  as  such  as  long 
as  he  lived.  Jesse  Stoddard  and  Whitefield  Rockwell  joined  the 
class  about  1820.  This  class  was  reorganized  after  it  had  partly 
gone  down.  Preaching  was  at  John  Doyle's  for  a  while,  and 
subsequently  at  James  Cargill's.  The  class  at  Ararat  was  dis- 
continued for  a  while,  and  Nancy  Stone  and  James  Cargill  united 
with  the  Jackson  class.  Simon  Slocum  and  wife  united  about 
1820.  Jerusha  and  Alvira  Slocum,  Britannia,  Evaline,  and  Eunice 
Stone,  and  Aurelia  Stoddard  joined  sometime  prior  to  1828. 
Wilson  Stone  and  Sarah  Cargill  joined  in  Ararat  in  183 1.  The 
class  was  divided  in  1839.  It  is  very  probable  that  the  Jackson 
people  were  in  the  Kennedy  Hill  class  for  a  while. 


Jackson^  Pa. 


647 


This  territory  was  on  the  Brooklyn  Circuit  many  years. 

The  church  was  built  in  1850,  and  dedicated  on  Saturday,  De- 
cember 21,  1850,  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearne  preaching  at  10:30  and 
other  brethren  preaching  Saturday  afternoon  and  evening,  and 
on  Sunday.  The  sum  of  $175  was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication. 
A  writer  to  one  of  the  Church  papers  at  the  time  said  that  this 
class  had  been  established  here  over  forty  years,  and  that  this 
was  the  first  church  erected  in  the  town. 

In  1843  $450  was  spent  in  painting,  frescoing,  a  new  altar,  and 
place  for  the  choir.  The  church  was  reopened  on  December  19, 
1883,  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  preaching  the  sermon.  On  August  9, 
1890,  the  building  was  damaged  by  storm,  and  was  repaired  at 
an  expense  of  $400.   It  was  reopened  on  October  30,  1890. 

The  parsonage  for  this  charge  is  located  at  Jackson,  and  was 
built  in  1876.  The  lot  cost  $175,  house  $650,  and  the  barn  $250. 
Money  was  raised  by  subscription,  and  some  work  was  donated. 

North  Jackson  class  was  organized  in  1834  with  eight  mem- 
bers :  Enos  Bryant  and  wife,  Horace  G.  Case  and  wife,  Mary 
Wheaton,  Sarah  Mattison,  and  Joseph  Mattison  and  wife. 
Horace  Case  was  the  first  class  leader,  afterward  and  for  many 
years  an  exhorter  and  local  preacher.  The  first  meetings  were 
held  in  No.  i  Schoolhouse,  which  stood  where  the  Davison's 
house  now  stands.  The  lot  on  which  the  church  stands  was 
donated  by  Truman  Perry.  The  church  was  built  in  1859  a 
cost  of  $1,500.  It  was  dedicated  on  December  22,  1859,  I^^v. 
William  Wyatt  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  A.  Wood 
in  the  evening.  The  trustees  at  this  time  were  Nathan  Rounds, 
D.  R.  Pope,  and  Truman  Perry. 

E.  M.  Bryant  was  one  of  the  first  stewards,  and  remained  in 
that  office  about  fifty  years,  and  was  also  class  leader  many  years. 
O.  M.  Mattison  was  steward  a  long  while.  Thomas  Butterfield 
was  the  first  Sunday  school  superintendent,  and  served  many 
years.  I.  E.  Curtis,  J.  L.  Williams,  and  T.  J.  Tallman  have  been 
on  the  official  board  about  twenty  years. 

Pastorates 

1874,  C.  O.  Hanmer;  1875,  E.  L.  Bennett;  1876,  W.  C.  Fisk; 
T877,  W.  H.  H.  Williams;  1878-80,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1881-83, 
P.  Holbrook;  1884-85,  H.  G.  Blair;  1886-88,  R.  M.  Pascoe;  1889- 
90,  H.  L.  Hubbard;  1891-93,  P.  R.  Tower;  1894,  D.  B.  Wilson; 
1895-98,  S.  Homan;  1899-1901,  J.  M.  Correll;  1902-03,  Harry 
Kelley. 


648 


Wyoming  Conference 


Jermyn,  Pa. 

The  class  was  organized  in  1862  by  Rev.  I.  T.  Walker,  pastor 
at  Peckville.  Services  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  on  alternate 
Sundays,  and  the  class  was  a  part  of  Peckville  charge  until  the 
place  was  made  an  appointment  in  1872.  Rushdale  and  Gibson- 
burg  are  names  once  given  the  place.  The  site  for  the  church 
was  secured  in  1871.  At  the  time  the  church  was  built  J.  P. 
Sampson,  F.  R.  Gill,  C.  D.  Winters,  J.  Maynard,  John  Jermyn, 
J.  Rymer,  and  S.  Jay  were  trustees.    Ground  was  broken  for  the 


JERMYN  CHURCH 


church  by  S.  Jay.  The  building  committee  were  John  Jermyn, 
W.  J.  Hiil,  and  F.  R.  Gill.  The  building  was  begim  in  1871  and 
finished  in  1873.  It  was  dedicated  on  July  2,  1873,  R^v.  B.  I. 
Ives  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  William  Bixby  in  the 
evening.  The  church  and  ground  cost  $I0;000,  $3,600  of  which 
was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication. 

Sunday,  March  31,  1878,  was  a  memorable  day.  Dr.  Copeland 
preached  in  the  morning  and  administered  the  sacrament.  In 
the  evening  Mr.  John  Jermyn  presented  the  society  with  a  mort- 
gage of  $2,350,  duly  discharged,  which  he  had  held  some  time 


Jermyn^  Pa. 


649 


against  the  society.  The  congregation  raised  $500,  which  with 
Mr.  Jermyn's  gift,  Hquidated  all  indebtedness. 

Some  repairs  and  shrinkage  in  some  subscriptions  created  a 
debt  of  $1,800,  which  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  paid  in  1882,  from 
May  to  October. 

In  1890  the  old  church  was  torn  down  and  the  present  church 
built.  It  has  a  basement,  which  contains  a  Sunday  school  room 
51x54  feet,  back  of  this  a  primary  class  room  16x38  feet,  and 
still  another  room  back  of  this  18x20  feet.  The  audience  room  is 
50x70  feet  and  seats  six  hundred  people.  It  cost  $12,800.  In 
gratuitous  labor  $1,400  had  been  given,  and  is  included  in  the 
$12,800.  Five  thousand  dollars  remained  to  be  provided  for  on 
the  day  of  dedication,  which  was  on  Monday,  February  23,  1891. 
Rev.  G.  M.  Colville,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning.  Rev.  M.  S. 
Hard,  D.D.,  managed  the  finances.  The  $5,000  was  raised  at 
the  morning  service.  Dr.  Hard  preached  in  the  evening  and 
raised  $1,000  with  which  to  buy  a  piano  for  the  Sunday  school 
room  and  grade  the  grounds. 

In  1892  a  vocalion  costing  $800  was  purchased,  and  in  1898  a 
steam-heating  plant  was  installed  costing  $1,050. 

In  the  winter  of  1875-76  one  hundred  and  fifty  conversions 
were  reported,  mostly  adults,  and  in  January,  1887,  a  ten  weeks' 
revival  began  wdiich  resulted  in  one  hundred  and  eighty-six 
probationers. 

August  21,  1899,  was  observed  as  a  church  rally  day,  and 
$1,250  was  raised,  which  paid  all  indebtedness. 
The  parsonage  was  built  in  1875. 

Pastorates 

1^72-72,,  S.  F.  Wright;  1874-75,  R.  Hiorns ;  1^76-77,  J.  F. 
Williams;  1878-80,  J.  V.  Newell;  1881,  L.  Cole;  1882-84,  J-  C. 
Leacock;  1885-87,  W.  B.  Westlake;  1888-90,  J.  F.  Warner; 
1891-92,  A.  W.  Cooper;  1893-97,  F.  Gendall ;  1898,  C.  A.  Ben- 
jamin; 1899,  J.  B.  Cook;  1900-03,  M.  D.  Fuller. 

LaCKA WAXEN,  Pa. 

This  circuit  is  the  remnant  of  a  circuit  which  in  1844  included 
Lackawaxen,  The  Narrows,  The  Eddy,  Tafton,  Paupack,  Pur- 
dytown.  Middle  Creek,  Darlingville,  Lord's  Valley,  Shohola 
Falls,  and  Rattlesnake  Schoolhouse.  The  church  at  Lackawaxen 
is  a  union  church,  the  Baptists  owning  a  half  interest  in  it,  and 


650 


Wyoming  Conference 


was  built  on  ground  donated  by  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal 
Company. 

Rowlands  has  a  church,  dedicated  on  November  24,  1869,  by 
Rev.  William  Bixby,  which  was  built  on  a  lot  donated  by  Mr. 
William  Westfall,  and  is  therefore  called  'The  Westfall  Church." 

Bobo  and  Grimes  are  schoolhouse  appointments  where  serv- 
ices are  held  on  alternate  Sunday  afternoons. 

Work  was  sustained  at  Glen  Eyre  Schoolhouse  seven  years,  but 
is  now  abandoned. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  circuit  it  received  an  allowance  from 
the  ^Missionary  Society. 

Pastorates 

1840-41,  A.  M.  Fowler;  1842-43,  with  Salem;  1844,  Elbert  A. 
Young;  1845-46,  J.  D.  Safford ;  1847-48,  J.  B.  Cooper;  1849,  O. 
F.  Morse,  A.  J.  Rogers;  1850,  C.  L.  Rice;  1851,  Marcus  Carrier; 

1852,   ;  1853,  W.  Smith;  1854,   ;  1855,  M.  L.  Bennett; 

1856-57,  John  Bradbury;  1858-59,  j.  L.  Race;  i860,  M.  Swallow; 
1861,  P.  G.  Bridgeman;  1862,  L.  C.  Floyd;  1863,  George  C.  Hart; 
1864,  A.  D.  Alexander;  1865,  S.  T.  Cramp;  1866,  H.  H.  Dresser; 
1867,  C.  W.  Todd;  1868-69,  J-  D.  Woodruff;  1870-71,  G.  C.  An- 
drews; 1872-74,  C.  W.  Blake;  1875,  J.  B.  Chynoweth ;  1876-77, 
W.  R.  Netherton;  1878-80,  S.  Stephens;  1881-83,  J.  A.  Transue; 
1884,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1885-86,  T.  R.  Warnock ;  1887,  J.  W.  Nich- 
olson; 1888-89,  B.  N.  Butts;  1890-92,  F.  T^Iarshall ;  1893-94, 
S.  Morris;  1895-96,  G.  M.  Bell;  1897-98,  B.  R.  Hanton ;  1899, 
W.  A.  Edwards;  1900-01,  W.  H.  Crawford;  1902-03,  C.  E. 
Waldron. 

Lake  Como,  Pa. 

An  effort  was  made  to  hold  religious  services  within  the  limits 
of  the  present  township  of  Preston  as  early  as  1822;  but  the 
location  of  the  families,  their  indigent  condition,  and  various 
other  circumstances,  incidental  to  a  primitive  settlement,  were 
such  that  all  attempts  were  abandoned.  Consequently,  as  an  old 
settler  records,  "the  Sabbaths  were  very  lonely  spent."  Occa- 
sionally the  various  families  were  visited  by  the  pioneer  ministers 
of  the  Baptist  and  Methodist  Churches,  and  it  is  possible  that 
within  five  years  of  the  above  mentioned  date  some  gatherings 
for  public  worship  may  have  been  held.  Meanwhile  churches 
had  gathered  strength  in  the  adjoining  township,  and  among 
their  members  were  some  of  the  early  Preston  settlers. 

Sometime  after  1825,  John  Rain,  a  Primitive  Methodist  minis- 


Lake  Como^  Pa. 


6SI 


ter,  went  to  Luther  Shafer's  and  began  to  hold  stated  meetings 
with  success.  Soon  afterward  a  class  of  thirteen  members  was 
formed.  It  was  soon  discovered,  however,  that  he  had  not  the 
proper  ecclesiastical  authority,  and  he  left,  the  class  soon  after 
disbanding.  Some  of  the  members  of  this  class  and  some  who 
held  membership  elsewhere  longed  for  religious  services.  This 
led  to  the  organization  of  the  first  class  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  in  Tallmansville  in  1831,  with  David  Wooley  as 
leader.  Some  of  the  original  members  were  David,  Jane,  Sarah 
Ann,  William,  James,  and  Mary  Jane  Wooley,  Lucretia  Tallman, 
Lucretia  Tallman  2d,  C.  P.  Tallman,  and  others  of  the  Tallman 
family.    However,  no  regular  preaching  services  were  held  until 


LAKE  COMO  CHURCH 


1846,  when  Rev.  Philip  Bartlett,  pastor  of  Lanesboro  Circuit, 
began  regular  work,  and  he  came  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of 
C.  P.  Tallman  and  Oman  A.  Lakin,  who  went  to  a  Quarterly 
Conference  held  at  Lanesboro  in  1845  and  urged  their  request. 
The  class  agreed  to  pay  $100  per  year.  This  territory  was  a 
part  of  Lanesboro  Circuit  until  1859,  when  Tallsmansville 
charge  appeared  among  the  appointments. 

The  church  at  Lake  Como  was  built  in  1861.  The  lot  was 
donated  by  Allison,  Davidge  &  Co.,  proprietors  of  the  tannery, 
and  was  conveyed  by  deed  to  Lyman  Woodmansee,  J.  M.  Kellogg, 
John  Davidge,  N.  F.  Underwood,  and  J.  C.  Menhenneth, 
trustees.  William  Kingsbury  was  the  contractor,  and  erected 
the  building  above  the  foundation  for  $1,360.    It  was  dedicated 


652 


Wyoming  Conference 


in  1 86 1  by  Rev.  William  Wyatt.  In  1884  $800  was  spent  in  re- 
pairs. Wlien  religious  work  was  commenced  on  this  church,  the 
class  at  Jerusalem,  numbering  twenty-eight,  the  Jericho  class, 
numbering  nineteen,  and  the  Little  York  class  were  combined 
to  form  the  Lake  Como  class. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Lake  Como,  and  was  built  in  1866, 
Arnon  W.  Cole  had  bought  a  lot  of  the  tannery  company,  had  the 
cellar  partially  dug,  and  some  lumber  on  the  ground  to  build 
with.  The  society  bought  this  for  $425,  and  completed  the  build- 
ing, the  whole  costing  about  $2,000.  After  the  barn  was  built 
a  debt  remained  of  $800,  which  was  not  paid  until  1874. 

South  Preston  class  was  organized  in  1875.  Tallmansville  was 
a  schoolhouse  appointment  for  many  years  until  the  building  of 
the  church  in  1886.  This  church  was  dedicated  on  June  23, 
1866,  by  Rev.  J.  K.  Peck,  who  preached  from  John  xvii,  17.  The 
church  cost  $2,600.  It  was  built  on  land  donated  by  C.  P.  Tall- 
man.  It  was  taken  down  and  moved  to  South  Preston,  and  re- 
erected  on  a  site  donated  by  David  Doyle,  at  an  expense  of  $800. 
In  rebuilding  it  was  reduced  in  size  somewhat.  It  was  dedicated 
by  Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner  on  December  3,  1887,  preaching  in  the 
morning  from  Isa.  Iv,  13,  and  also  preaching  in  the  evening.  The 
sum  of  $285  was  raised  during  the  day. 

Stanton  Hill  class  was  organized  about  1855,  with  H.  P.  Stan- 
ton leader.  Its  members  were  Henry,  Emeline,  ^lary  A.,  and 
David  Stanton  and  wife,  Mrs.  Richard  McLaury,  and  Eunice 
Roberts.  The  schoolhouse  was  used  for  worship  until  the  church 
was  built.  The  site  was  donated  by  A.  R.  Dix,  he  donating  a 
lot  for  a  public  school  building  on  condition  that  the  ^lethodists 
have  the  old  school  lot  for  the  erection  of  a  church.  The  build- 
ing cost  $1,625,  and  was  dedicated  on  October  27,  1883,  Rev.  J. 
B.  Sweet  preaching  from  Mai.  iii,  10.  Rev.  William  Hiller 
asked  for  $300,  and  $320  was  subscribed  in  fifteen  minutes,  after 
which  he  dedicated  the  church. 

Winwood  is  a  recent  development  on  the  charge.  Services 
w^ere  begun  here  about  1899,  and  held  in  ^he  schoolhouse.  Mrs. 
Susan  Weed  donated  a  lot  to  the  society,  and  the  society  pur- 
chased one  for  $130,  both  being  conveyed  by  the  same  deed. 

The  church  is  32x45  feet,  w^ith  a  lecture  room  18x25  feet,  and 
an  alcove  7x25  feet  for  the  choir.  The  contract  price  of  the 
building  was  $2,590,  but  the  final  cost  was  $3,500.  It  was  dedi- 
cated on  August  16,  1903,  Rev.  J.  Krantz,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  J.  F. 


Win  WOOD,  Pa. 


653 


Warner  officiating.  During  the  day  $2,000  was  raised,  the 
balance  having  been  raised  before. 

Camp  meetings  were  held  in  a  piece  of  woods  owned  by  C.  P. 
Tallman  from  1875  to  1881.  At  one  time  it  was  thought  best 
to  incorporate  as  "The  Tallmansville  Camp  Meeting  Associa- 
tion," but  it  was  not  done.    The  land  has  since  been  cleared. 


WIN  WOOD  CHURCH 


The  name  of  the  charge  was  changed  from  Tallmansville  to 
Lake  Como  in  1881. 

Pastorates 

1859,  — -;  i860,  J.  Whitham;  1861,  G.  W.  Leach,  C.  Stod- 
dard; 1862-63,  I-  N.  Pardee;  1864-65,  N.  S.  Reynolds;  1866,  S. 
G.  Stevens;  1867-69,  H.  H.  Dresser;  1870,  J.  D.  Woodruff;  1871, 
W.  B.  Kinney;  1872-73,  D.  Larish ;  1874,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1875, 
M.  D.  Fuller,  G.  W.  Leach;  1876,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1877-79,  J-  H. 
Taylor;  1880-81,  F.  A.  Dony;  1882-84,  G.  A.  Cure;  1885-87, 
D.  A.  Sanford;  1888-90,  T.  M.  Furey;  1891-93,  J.  V.  Newell; 
1894-97,  L.  W.  Karschner;  1898,  P.  G.  Ruckman ;  1899-1902,  A. 
C.  Olver ;  1903,  J.  N.  Meaker. 

Moscow,  Pa. 

"The  class  from  which  the  Moscow  class  sprung  was  organ- 
ized by  William  Noble,  a  local  preacher  from  Sterling,  at  Dale- 
ville,  in  1826.  This  was  the  first  religious  organization  in 
Covington  township.  Its  members  were  Thomas  Depew,  John 
Fish  and  wife,  Frederick  Rush  and  wife,  and  Mrs.  David  Dale. 


654 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  appointment  was  a  part  of  the  Canaan  Circuit.  In  1828  V. 
M.  Coryell  was  one  of  the  preachers  on  that  circuit  and  preached 
here.  In  1836  the  meetings  of  the  society  were  held  at  Joseph 
Loveland's  house,  on  the  Daleville  road,  near  Moscow.  After- 
ward they  were  held  at  the  Rupert  [school] house,  near  the 
culvert  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western  Railroad. 
After  the  schoolhouse  was  built  on  the  site  of  [afterward  occu- 
pied by]  Gaige  and  Clement's  store  the  meetings  were  held  in  it 
until  the  church  was  built." 

We  insert  the  following,  though  not  directly  related  to  the 


MOSCOW  CHURCH 


Moscow  society:  "The  first  preaching  in  Roaring  Brook  town- 
ship was  in  1853,  by  a  Methodist  minister,  at  the  house  of  J.  M. 
Stevens,  about  a  mile  below  Dunning.  Services  were  held  in  the 
schoolhouse  on  the  Cobb  road  in  summer  and  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Stevens  in  winter.  The  first  class  was  formed,  however,  in  a 
small  building  at  Dunning,  owned  by  S.  S.  Welsh,  and  used  as  a 
schoolhouse.  This  was  in  1856.  William  C.  Robinson  was  ap- 
pointed leader.  The  other  members  were  Margaret  and  Jennie 
Robinson,  J.  M.,  Sarah  W.,  and  Elnora  A.  Stevens.  The  class 
was  transferred  in  1857  to  the  Forest  Hill  schoolhouse,  at  the 
south  side  of  the  Forest  Hill  camp  ground." 


Moscow,  Pa. 


6SS 


The  charge  was  formed  in  1853  ^^^^  known  as  Madison  Mis- 
sion until  1858,  when  it  took  the  name  of  Moscow.  The  follow- 
ing shows  the  plan  of  the  charge  at  its  organization:  Class  No.  i, 
Owen  Simpson,  leader,  meets  at  Rupert  Schoolhouse;  Class  No. 
2,  G.  F.  Finch,  leader,  meets  at  Union  Church ;  Class  No.  3,  Ralph 
Pease,  leader,  meets  at  White  Schoolhouse ;  Class  No.  4,  meets  at 
Turnersville ;  Class  No.  5,  Dr.  William  R.  Rogers,  leader,  meets 
at  Naglesville.  The  last-named  class,  consisting  of  eight  mem- 
bers, was  afterward  annexed  to  a  charge  in  the  Philadelphia 
Conference.  In  the  list  of  classes  for  1858  the  Naglesville  class 
does  not  appear.  In  its  stead.  Class  No.  5  has  William  C.  Robin- 
son for  leader  and  meets  at  Stevens's  house.  In  1859  a  sixth 
class  appeared,  with  George  Finch  as  leader,  and  met  at  Swartz 
Schoolhouse.  In  1864  Class  No.  6  does  not  appear.  In  1869 
the  classes  were  still  fewer  and  numbered  as  follows:  i,  Moscow; 
2,  Turnersville ;  3,  Dunnings ;  4,  White  Schoolhouse.  The  classes 
on  the  charge  at  this  writing  are  Moscow,  Turnersville,  Spring- 
brook,  and  Maple  Lake. 

The  charter  of  the  Moscow  society  was  granted  August  10, 
1848,  naming  as  the  first  trustees  Owen  Simpson,  George  Swartz, 
George  W.  Swartz,  Larry  Miller,  and  Joseph  Loveland.  The 
corporate  name  of  the  society  is  "The  Second  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  and  Congregation  of  Covington."  In  1862  the  board 
of  trustees  consisted  of  Edward  Simpson,  William  W.  Noble, 
George  Swartz,  George  W.  Swartz,  and  Peter  Swartz. 

The  church  was  commenced  in  1853  and  finished  the  follow- 
ing year.  Owen  Simpson,  George  Swartz,  Larry  Miller,  Joseph 
Loveland,  and  George  W.  Swartz  constituted  the  building  com- 
mittee. The  building  cost  $1,300,  and  was  dedicated  on  January 
24,  1854,  Rev.  Abel  Barker  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

In  1885  the  church  was  thoroughly  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 
The  building  committee  consisted  of  W.  F.  Clements,  J.  W. 
Brock,  H.  L.  Gaige,  G.  S.  Brown,  and  Rev.  G.  A.  Cure.  Toward 
the  improvements  the  Cheerful  Workers  gave  $655.59,  the 
Young  People's  Society  $189.35,  and  Mrs.  Gaige's  Sunday  school 
class  $100.  The  improvements  were  a  tower  and  vestibule,  in- 
clined floor,  alcove,  new  walls  and  wainscoting,  new  pews  and 
stained-glass  windows,  new  roof,  and  the  building  painted. 

The  parsonage  was  built  about  1867.  In  1899,  a  cost  of 
$1,214.86,  the  house  was  enlarged  and  greatly  improved. 

Mr.  W.  F.  Clements,  who  died  August  24,  1897,  was  many 
years  the  Sunday  school  superintendent  and  a  general  mainstay 
of  the  church. 


656 


Wyoming  CoNFEREMCfi 


Turnersville  is  three  miles  south  of  Moscow.  Work  has  been 
maintained  here  since  1826,  when  the  place  was  first  settled. 
''Previous  to  the  building  of  the  log  schoolhouse,  services  were 
held  in  the  homes  of  the  settlers."  Being  on  the  dividing  line 
between  the  Philadelphia  and  Oneida  Conferences,  the  place  was 
occasionally  reached  by  preachers  from  each.  In  those  early 
days  services  were  seldom  held  by  the  Methodists  more  frequent- 
ly than  once  a  month. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  donated  by  John  Simpson,  and  the 
church,  which  is  a  union  church,  was  dedicated  by  a  Presbyterian 
preacher,  known  as  "Father  Hunt." 

Since  the  organization  of  Wyoming  Conference  Turnersville 
has  been  a  part  of  it,  and  since  1853  ^  P^^t  of  Moscow  charge. 
Prior  to  1852  it  was  largely  connected  with  the  Philadelphia 
Conference. 

In  1889  the  building  was  repaired  at  an  expense  of  $600,  and 
was  reopened  in  October,  1889,  by  Rev.  W.  B.  Westlake. 

Rev.  Henry  Stanley  located  here  in  1868,  and  died  on  April 
23,  1898.  He  preached  fortnightly  in  the  church  during  most  of 
his  residence  here,  and  in  many  ways  rendered  valuable  service 
to  the  pastor  and  charge. 

Springhrook  is  six  miles  west  of  Moscow.  We  know  very  lit- 
tle about  the  history  of  this  class.  The  church  is  said  to  have 
been  built  in  1866.  On  October  16,  1876,  the  society  was  incor- 
porated as  'The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Springbrook," 
and  Frederick  Robinson,  William  Daniels,  and  Nathan  Turner 
were  the  trustees. 

In  1876  Springbrook  and  Maple  Lake  were  constituted  a 
charge,  and  in  1878  Forest  Hill  was  added.  As  a  charge  it  was 
served  in  1876-78  by  A.  C.  Olver,  in  1879  by  J.  B.  Sweet. 

Springbrook  became  a  part  of  Moscow  charge  in  1900.  Prior 
to  this  it  was  a  part  of  Thornhurst  charge  a  number  of  years. 

Maple  Lake  is  four  miles  west  of  Moscow.  A  short  time  be- 
fore the  war  the  church  was  built  on  a  lot  donated  by  Timothy 
Rozelle,  the  deed  for  the  same  being  executed  by  Timothy  Ro- 
zelle  and  wife  Sarah,  on  Januarv  25,  1875,  and  given  to  L.  K. 
Case,  D.  P.  Scull,  and  T.  H.  Kridler  as  trustees.  'The  Maple 
Lake  Methodist  Episcopal  Church"  was  incorporated  on  October 
16,  1876,  with  Lambert  K.  Case,  Thomas  Kridler,  and  Timothy 
Rozelle  trustees.  This  class  formed  a  part  of  the  Springbrook 
charge  for  a  few  years.    After  being  closed  several  years  the 


Union,  Pa. 


657 


Moscow  pastor  began  work  in  the  church  in  19CX);  and  preached 
there  biweekly. 

Daleville.  Work  has  been  abandoned  at  this  point.  A  church 
was  buih  in  1878,  and  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Fowler,  D.D. 
The  building  was  torn  down  about  1890  and  moved  to  Goulds- 
boro.  For  several  years  this  class,  with  Union,  constituted  a 
charge.  From  1877  to  1878  D.  F.  Waddell  was  the  pastor.  From 
1879  to  1882  it  was  with  Moscow,  Union  being  an  appointment 
during  these  years.  In  1883-84  Daleville  and  Union  were  served 
by  P.  Houck;  in  1885  I.  P.  Towner  was  the  pastor;  1886-87, 
supply. 

Elmhurst.  Meetings  were  taken  from  the  Stevens  schoolhouse 
to  a  public  hall  in  the  village  of  Elmhurst.  Subsequently  Rhodes 
Hall  was  used.  Preaching  services  were  held  biweekly  until 
1901,  when  they  were  discontinued. 

Union.  We  note  this  here,  not  that  it  ever  formed  a  part  of 
Moscow  charge,  but  that  the  fact  may  not  be  lost.  There  was  a 
charge  called  Union.  Rev.  G.  A.  Cure  says:  "There  was  only 
one  church  on  the  Union  charge.  It  was  called  'Union  Church,' 
and  was  situated  near  Madisonville,  three  miles  from  Moscow. 
I  preached  there,  at  a  schoolhouse  near  Elmhurst,  at  another  such 
edifice  near  Nobletown,  and  at  Greenwood  Chapel,  one  half  mile 
from  No.  21  of  the  old  gravity  road.  Salary,  $425."  The 
chapel  at  Greenwood  was  sold  in  1901  to  the  Evangelical  Associa- 
tion for  $15. 

While  the  charge  existed  it  was  served  as  follows:  1875-76, 
J.  T.  Burrall;  1877-79,  J.  G.  Stephens;  1880,  G.  A.  Cure;  1881, 
C.  H.  Hayes ;  1882,  W.  R.  Turner. 

Pxistorates 

1853-54,  Joseph  1.  David;  1855,  Charles  Smith;  1856-57, 
William  Shelp;  1858,  C.  C.  Smith;  1859,  H.  Stanley;  i860,  J. 
L.  Race;  1861,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft;  1862,  D.  Personeus;  1863,  J-  W. 
Munger;  1864-65,  J.  T.  Crowell;  1866-68,  G.  M.  Chamberlain; 
1869-71,  G.  A.  Severson;  1872-73,  J.  C.  Leacock;  1874,  I.  B. 
Hyde;  1875-76,  S.  J.  Austin;  1877-78,  G.  M.  Colville;  1879-81, 
W.  B.  Westlake;  1882-84,  J.  Madison;  1885-87,  G.  A.  Cure; 
1888-89,  A.  C.  Olver;  1890-94,  S.  C.  Simpkins;  1895-96,  A.  D. 
David;  1897-98,  S.  G.  Snowden;  1899-1903,  G.  H.  Prentice. 
42 


658 


Wyoming  Conference 


Narrowsburg,  N.  Y. 

The  first  Methodist  service  in  Narrowsburg  was  conducted 
in  the  home  of  C.  C.  Murray,  in  July,  1839,  by  Rev.  T.  J.  Lyon, 
who  was  one  of  the  preachers  on  the  Lumberland  and  Port  Jer- 
vis  Circuit  of  the  New  Jersey  Conference.  In  1841  the  circuit 
was  called  Forestburg,  and  in  1842  and  1843  it  was  called  Port 
Jervis.  In  1844  the  circuit  was  divided,  one  part  keeping  the 
name  of  Port  Jervis,  the  other  taking  the  name  of  Barryville. 
Narrowsburg  formed  a  part  of  the  Barryville  Circuit  until  the 
Narrowsburg  Circuit  was  formed  in  1856,  when  the  appoint- 
ments on  the  circuit  were  Narrowsburg,  Swamp  Steam  Mills, 
Beaver  Brook,  Wells  and  Ayrs  schoolhouses. 

In  the  fall  of  1842  a  revival  was  held  at  Narrowsburg  in  an 
old  log  house  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  northeast  of  the  district 
schoolhouse.  'Mrs.  Lucinda  Murray,  "a  mother  in  Israel,"  and 
eight  others  professed  conversion  and  joined  the  church.  A 
class  was  formed  with  Oliver  Vail  as  leader. 

In  1847  Narrowsburg,  or  Big  Eddy,  as  it  was  then  called,  was 
apportioned  $60  for  preacher's  salary. 

The  first  Quarterly  Meeting  and  Conference  held  at  Narrows- 
burg was  August  4  and  5.  On  this  occasion  $32  was  collected 
for  Dickinson  College. 

The  church  was  built  in  the  summer  of  1856,  on  land  given 
by  Dr.  Wackerbarth,  and  was  dedicated  on  November  13,  1856, 
by  Rev.  B.  W.  Pearson.  A  condition  upon  which  the  lot  was 
given  was  that  the  lot  was  to  be  used  for  church  purposes  only, 
and  the  church  should  be  opened  to  all  denominations.  After 
some  agitation  the  society  decided  to  move  the  church  down  the 
hill  into  a  better  location.  To  make  this  possible  financially 
the  society  decided  to  do  without  a  pastor  one  year  and  use  the 
amount  of  money  usually  turned  in  that  direction  to  remove  the 
church.  Messrs.  J.  A.  Baird  and  Schriver  canvassed  the 
charge  for  funds  and  secured  the  needed  amount.  The  job  was 
let  to  Mr.  Pregnall,  of  Honesdale.  The  present  site  was  given 
by  the  Murray  family,  and  the  removal  cost  the  society  $500. 
According  to  the  original  grant  the  first  lots  would  have  revert- 
ed to  Dr.  Wackerbarth 's  heirs.  The  taxes  being  unpaid,  they 
were  in  time  sold  for  taxes,  and  the  society  bought  one  of  the 
lots  and  now  holds  the  comptroller's  deed  for  it. 

In  the  fall  of  1898  the  interior  of  the  church  was  completely 
remodeled,  being  reseated  on  a  modern  plan,  repainted,  recar- 
peted,  and  recushioned,  at  a  cost  of  $480.    It  was  reopened  on 


Narrowsburg,  Pa. 


659 


November  29,  1898,  Rev.  A.  W.  Cooper  preaching  morning  and 
evening.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  did  splendid  work  in  raising 
funds  for  this  work. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1848  in  the  home  of  C.  C. 
Murray,  Oliver  Carmichael  being  the  first  superintendent.  At 
this  first  meeting  $10  was  raised  for  books. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1867  at  a  cost  of  $800.  The  lot  was 
given  by  Mr.  C.  K.  Gordon.  The  deed,  however,  was  not  exe- 
cuted until  January  3,  1868. 

Narrow sburg  in  1861  was  a  station.  In  1866  it  became  an  ap- 
pointment in  Wyoming  Conference.  Mr.  C.  K.  Gordon  was  the 
first  steward  elected  from  Narrowsburg,  and  this  was  in  January, 

1855. 

The  society  became  incorporated  in  1892. 

Atco,  Pa.,  is  about  two  miles  from  Narrowsburg,  on  the  plank 
road  which  leads  to  Honesdale.  A  schoolhouse  was  built  there 
in  1859,  church  services  were  instituted  soon  afterward, 

being  conducted  by  the  Beach  Pond  pastor.  About  this  time  a 
class  was  formed  which  included  Henry  Babcock  and  wife, 
Stephen  Bates,  and  Mrs.  W.  D.  Guinnip.  Mr.  Babcock  was  the 
first  Sunday  school  superintendent.  This  class  became  a  part  of 
Narrowsburg  charge  about  1865.  The  schoolhouse  burned  about 
1878,  and  with  it  some  valuable  records  of  the  class.  The  society 
uses  the  present  schoolhouse,  preaching  services  being  held  bi- 
weekly. 

Szvamp  Mills,  N.  Y .,  is  about  five  miles  from  Narrowsburg, 
and  gets  its  name  from  an  excelsior  mill  situated  at  one  end  of  a 
swamp  pond.  At  the  invitation  of  several  families  living  around 
there  Rev.  D.  Evans  began  preaching  services  in  the  schoolhouse 
on  alternate  Sabbaths.  In  1896  stewards  were  appointed  for  the 
place  and  it  became  a  part  of  Narrowsburg  charge. 

Pastorates 

1840  (Lumberland  and  Port  Jervis),  J.  M.  Pierson  and  T.  J. 
Lyon;  1841  (Forestburg),  T.  J.  Lyon;  1842  (Port  Jervis),  Wil- 
liam M.  Barrows;  1843  (Port  Jervis),  John  D.  Blain,  C.  O.  May- 
bee;  1844-45  (Barryville  until  1856),  Jacob  Mott;  1846,  Robert 
Van  Syckle;  1847,  W.  G.  Wiggins;  1848,  E.  P.  Cook;  1849- 
50,  A.  H.  Belles;  1851,  L.  Bradbury;  1852,  B.  F.  Walters;  1853, 
B.  S.  Wilson,  G.  A.  Van  Home;  1854-55,  J-  W.  Suran;  1856, 
(Narrowsburg),  G.  A.  Van  Home;  1857,  ;  1858,  J.  S.  Swit- 


66o 


Wyoming  Conference 


zer;  1859-60,  J.  H.  Runyon ;  1861-62,  G.  B.  Jackson;  1863-64, 
Elbert  Clement;  1865,  H.  H.  Dresser;  1866-67,  C.  W.  Todd;  1868, 
C.  A.  Ward;  1869-70,  W.  N.  Cooley;  1871-72,  J.  D.  Woodruff; 
1873-75,  R.  Varcoe;  1876-77,  R.  Hiorns ;  1878,  P.  M.  Mott;  1879, 

 ;  1880-82,  R.  Varcoe;  1883-84,  S.  W.  Spencer;  1885-87,  L. 

Cole;  1888-89,  G.  B.  Stone;  1890-94,  D.  Evans;  1895-96,  D.  B. 
Wilson;  1897-1900,  G.  M.  Bell;  1901-03,  William  McAlpine. 


The  class  was  organized  in  1856  by  Rev.  D.  Williams,  who  was 
a  member  of  this  Conference,  and  supplying  the  Welsh  Calvinistic 
Methodist  Church  at  the  time.  Mary  Mott,  Dorcas  Travis,  C. 
D.  Barber,  William  and  Ann  Ferris,  with  a  few  others,  consti- 
tuted this  class.  The  place  was  called  Blakely  until  the  name  was 
changed  to  Peckville  in  1872,  In  i860  the  charge  included  Oly- 
phant,  Archbald,  Jermyn,  Blakely,  and  Secor's  Point,  just  above 
Throop,  and  was  called  Blakely  Mission,  presumably  receiving  aid 


from  the  Missionary  Society.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  school- 
house,  which  is  now  used  for  a  hose  house. 

The  church  was  built  in  1868  on  land  which  was  bought  of  Mr. 
John  D.  Peck  for  $200,  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  raising  the  amount 
of  purchase  money.  The  deed,  however,  was  not  executed  until 
June  26,  1869,  William  Purdy,  D.  C.  Barber,  G.  W.  Thomas, 
James  Hurd,  William  Williams,  and  S.  F.  Wright  being  trustees 
at  that  time.    The  church  cost  $5,000,  including  the  bell  and  fur- 


Peckville,  Pa. 


PECKVILLE  CHURCH 


Peckville,  Pa. 


66i 


nishings.  The  pastor  helped  to  cut  the  timber  and  haul  it  to  the 
place  of  building.  The  building  was  dedicated  on  July  4,  1868, 
Kev.  R.  Nelson,  D.D.,  preaching  the  sermon.  An  excursion  train 
ran  up  from  Scranton  carrying  a  large  number  to  the  services. 
The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  served  a  dinner  in  the  basement  after 
the  service  was  over.  The  Aid  Society  raised  over  $1,000  during 
the  year  the  church  was  being  built,  and  $1,500  was  raised  on  the 
day  of  dedication. 

The  present  church  was  built  in  1894.  The  main  part  is  64x45 
feet,  and  at  the  rear  is  the  old  church,  36x54  feet,  and  so  connected 
with  the  auditorium  by  sliding  doors  that  both  rooms  may  be 
thrown  together  when  extra  seating  is  needed.  The  pastor  worked 
so  hard  in  helping  to  build  this  church  that  his  overdoing  is 
believed  to  have  been  the  cause  of  a  severe  fit  of  sickness.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  November  25,  1894,  Rev.  B.  I. 
Ives,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morning  and  conducting  the  soliciting 
during  the  day,  and  Rev.  W.  L.  Thorpe  preaching  in  the  evening 
from  Luke  viii,  5,  and  conducting  the  dedicatory  service. 

The  pastors  usually  lived  at  Archbald  prior  to  1862,  when 
Blakely  became  the  place  of  pastoral  residence.  In  1877  the  par- 
sonage was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,  on  a  lot  60x150  feet,  which 
was  deeded  to  the  society  by  the  Hillside  Coal  and  Iron  Company, 
on  October  28,  1885,  consideration  of  $1.  The  house  was  im- 
proved and  enlarged  in  1888  at  an  expense  of  $500. 

Grassy  Island.  The  lot  is  leased  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson 
Canal  Company  for  ninety-nine  years  at  $1  per  year.  The  chapel 
was  built  in  1892  at  a  cost  of  $600.  A  Sunday  school  is  kept  in 
operation  here  under  the  supervision  of  the  Peckville  church. 

The  society  was  visited  by  an  uncommon  revival  in  1869. 

Pastorates 

1856,  D.  Williams;  1857,  F.  Illman ;  1858-59,  D.  Williams; 
1860-61,  J.  O.  Woodruf¥;  1862-63,  I.  T.  Walker;  1864-66,  E.  H. 
Hynson;  1867-68,  S.  F.  Wright;  1869,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1870- 
72,  J.  F.  Wilbur;  1873,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1874-75,  Jonas 
Underwood  ;  1876-78,  W.  J.  Hill ;  1879-80,  F.  Gendall ;  1881,  E.  P. 
Eldridge;  1882-84,  R.  Hiorns ;  1885-87,  J.  B.  Sweet;  1888-92, 
W.  B.  Westlake;  1893-94,  F.  P.  Doty;  1895-99,  S.  C.  Simpkins ; 
1900- 1902,  F.  Gendall;  1903,  E.  Kilpatrick.  Rev.  F.  Gendall  died 
in  August,  1902,  and  the  balance  of  the  year  was  supplied  by  Rev. 
J.  E.  Bone. 


662 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pleasant  Mount,  Pa. 

The  first  class  in  the  township  was  organized  in  1806,  in  the 
house  of  Abram  Cramer.  The  house  was  still  standing  in  1886, 
the  oldest  in  the  township.  Rev.  Anning  Owen  was  the  first 
Methodist  preacher  to  visit  the  place.  He  was  presiding  elder 
on  Susquehanna  District  in  1806,  and  probably  organized  the 
class  on  some  of  his  trips.  If  done  by  him  at  some  other  time, 
it  was  probably  while  he  was  on  Wyoming  Circuit  in  1801. 

A  union  church  was  built  in  1822.  It  stood  on  the  first  road 
running  north  and  south,  east  of  the  village,  on  land  which  was 
owned  in  1886  by  George  E.  Morse.  It  was  24x48  feet,  and  was 
formed  by  an  addition  24  feet  square  to  a  log  house  of  the  same 
size.  Here  the  society  worshiped  until  1830-32,  when  it  built  a 
church  two  miles  east  of  the  village  on  the  Bethany  turnpike. 
The  ground,  one  acre  and  fifty-eight  perches,  was  deeded  to  tiie 
society  on  November  26,  1836,  in  consideration  of  $22.50,  by 
David  Kennedy.  It  now  forms  a  part  of  the  burying  ground. 
The  church  is  said  to  have  been  dedicated  on  July  4,  but  the  year 
is  uncertain.    The  building  was  greatly  improved  in  1851. 

On  July  3,  1854,  Rodney  Harm  deeded  two  acres  and  eighty- 
five  rods  to  the  society,  in  consideration  of  $100,  upon  which  a 
parsonage  was  built  the  same  year,  and  in  1855  $350  was  raised 
to  pay  the  balance  of  parsonage  debt. 

On  this  lot  the  present  church  was  built  in  1865-66.  The  build- 
ing cost  $3,300,  and  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  November  21, 
1866,  at  II  A.  M.,  Rev.  William  Reddy  preaching  from  i  Pet.  i, 
II.  At  this  service  $1,000  was  raised  to  fully  provide  for  the 
expense. 

This  building  was  repaired  in  1888  at  an  expense  of  $350.  It 
was  reopened  on  October  11,  1888,  Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner  preaching 
at  2  p.  M.,  and  the  Wyoming  Trio  singing  in  the  evening. 

The  society  became  incorporated  on  September  7,  1866,  with 
B.  Benjamin,  C.  D.  Cobb,  W.  Bonner,  W.  Partridge,  D.  L. 
Fletcher,  and  Patrick  McGonigle  trustees. 

In  March  and  April,  1847,  ^  revival  of  great  power  visited  the 
society. 

This  territory  was  first  on  Wyoming  Circuit,  second  on  Canaan 
Circuit,  and  in  1843  was  made  an  appointment,  but  remained  so 
but  one  year.  From  1844-50  it  was  a  part  of  Bethany  Circuit, 
and  in  1851  permanently  appeared  among  the  list  of  appointments. 

In  1853-54  the  following  were  the  appointments  of  the  circuit: 
Pleasant  Mount   (the  old  church),  Red  Schoolhouse,  White 


White's  Valley,  Pa. 


663 


Schoolhouse,  Pleasant  Mount  Village  Schoolhouse,  Sherwood 
Schoolhouse,  Brick  Schoolhouse,  and  Lebanon  Schoolhouse. 

White's  Valley.  In  1867  a  portion  of  Pleasant  Mount  Church 
withdrew  and  organized  the  White's  Valley  class.  The  society 
became  incorporated  on  February  4,  1868,  as  "The  Second  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  of  Pleasant  Mount,  at  White's,"  with  Wil- 
liam Hull,  Joseph  B.  Allen,  William  Partridge,  Hamlin  Bonham, 
Philip  White,  and  Samuel  F.  White  trustees.  The  church  was 
built  in  1870  and  1871,  on  land  which  was  deeded  to  the  society 
on  August  27,  1873,  by  Levi  Horton,  for  $40.  In  the  construc- 
tion of  this  church  material  out  of  the  old  church  on  Bethany  turn- 
pike was  used.  This  building  is  on  the  road  from  Mount  Pleasant 
to  Honesdale.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  February  23,  1871, 
Rev.  William  Reddy  preaching  in  the  morning,  and  Rev.  William 
Bixby  in  the  evening  from  Psa.  Ixxxiv,  4. 

Pastorates 

1851,  G.  M.  Peck;  1852,  T.  Wilcox;  1853-54,  R.  S.  Rose;  1855- 
56,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1857-58,  N.  W.  Everett;  1859-60,  F.  Spencer; 
1861-62,  A.  Brigham;  1863-64,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1865,  L.  C.  Floyd; 
1866-67,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1868,  Jonas  Underwood;  1869-70,  J.  V. 
Newell;  1871-72,  W.  M.  Cooley;  1873-75,  G.  T.  Price;  1876-78, 
S.  F.  Wright;  1879-81,  S.  Jay;  1882-84,  J.  B.  Sweet;  1885-86, 
J.  Madison  ;  1887-91,  W.  R.  Cochrane  ;  1892-93,  T.  Burgess  ;  1894- 
96,  W.  M.  Shaw ;  1897-1901,  J.  H.  Boyce;  1902-03,  L.  W.  Karsch- 
ner. 

Salem,  Pa. 

The  first  sermon  in  Salem  was  by  Rev.  William  Colbert,  and 
preached  on  May  16,  1793,  in  a  Mr.  Park's  house.  His  journal 
has  the  following  concerning  this  service:  "I  knew  not  how  I 
could  preach,  but  I  thought  I  would  try  and  do  as  well  as  I  could. 
I  did,  and  the  Lord  be  praised!  I  don't  know  that  I  have  seen 
the  word  attended  with  more  power  since  I  left  Maryland.  My 
text  was  Amos  xi,  12.  Though  the  life  of  a  traveling  preacher 
is  very  laborious  and  fatig^uing,  it  is  what  I  glory  in." 

A  letter  from  Anson  Goodrich,  of  Salem,  to  Dr.  Peck  dated 
March  13,  1857,  contains  the  following  information: 

''Ephraim  Bidwell  and  Dorcas  his  wife  came  from  Connecticut 
and  settled  in  this  town — then  Canaan — in  the  year  1800.  They 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  It  was  by 
an  invitation  from  Mr.  Bidwell  that  year,  or  the  following,  that 


664 


Wyoming  Conference 


two  preachers,  Ephraim  Chambers  and  James  Polemus,  preached 
several  times." 

They  were  from  Wyoming — Chambers  probably  in  1801  or 
1802,  and  Polemus  the  year  following.  Mr.  Goodrich  further 
says : 

'T  recollect  hearing  Mr.  Owen,  Christopher  Frye,  and  Alfred 
Griffith  preach  in  barns,  dwelling  houses,  and  a  log  schoolhouse — 
in  fact,  the  only  schoolhouse  in  what  is  now  Salem.  Mr.  R.  M. 
Stocker,  who  was  raised  in  Salem,  and  now  lives  in  Honesdale, 


SALEM  CHURCH 


thinks  this  was  probably  the  East  schoolhouse,  built  in  1807  or 
1808.  Mr.  Owen  was  presiding  elder,  and  held  the  first  quarterly 
meeting  which  was  ever  witnessed  by  the  people  here,  in  Major 
Woodbridge's  barn.  The  major  was  a  stanch  Calvinist,  and 
manifested  much  opposition  to  the  fanatics,  as  they  were  called, 
upon  their  first  making  their  appearance  in  this  country." 

These  are  the  only  references  we  have  to  services  here  until  Mr. 
Draper  was  sent  into  this  section  by  Bishop  Ashbury  in  1807. 

"Mr.  Draper  first  called  at  Major  Woodbridge's,  in  what  is 
now  Salem,  Wayne  County.    He  was  in  his  mill;  it  was  a  log 


Salem,  Pa. 


665 


mill ;  and  when  Mr.  Draper  opened  to  him  his  business  the  major 
was  somewhat  reserved,  but  treated  him  with  becoming  courtesy. 
Mr.  Draper  proposed  to  preach  the  next  Sabbath,  and  the  major 
did  not  object.  He  invited  Mr.  Draper  to  partake  of  the  hospi- 
taHties  of  his  house,  but  said  nothing  about  his  having  a  regular 
appointment  in  the  place  until  after  the  Sabbath,  when  he  heard 
him  preach  three  times.  The  people  flocked  out  to  hear  the 
missionary,  and  gave  great  attention  to  the  word.  Indeed,  at  the 
very  first  there  were  evident  indications  of  a  divine  influence  at 
work  upon  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

"Major  Woodbridge  was  a  Presbyterian  of  many  years  stand- 
ing, although  in  no  wise  bigoted.  He  was  a  man  of  intelligence, 
of  character,  and  of  influence.  He  was  a  little  slow  to  pledge 
himself  for  the  support  of  the  new  sect,  but  he  lent  an  ear,  and 
proceeded  as  he  saw  the  light.  Having  heard  Mr.  Draper,  and 
seen  the  interest  which  was  awakened  among  the  people,  he  had 
no  doubt  but  that  God  was  in  the  movement,  and  he  promised  him 
his  most  cordial  support.  He  invited  Mr.  Draper  to  establish 
regular  preaching  at  his  house,  and  gave  him  every  facility  in  his 
work." 

Shortly  after  this  a  love  feast  was  held  in  Major  Woodbridge's 
barn.  "They  admitted  all  who  wished  to  come  in,  and  the  barn 
w^as  full.  There  were  only  three  or  four  to  speak,  but  they  spoke 
over  and  over.  Major  Woodbridge,  his  wife,  and  a  Dutch  woman 
were  all  that  Mr.  Draper  had  to  help  him.  The  Dutch  woman 
became  boisterous,  and  the  major  was  a  little  alarmed,  and  came 
to  Mr.  Draper  and  asked  him  if  that  would  not  do  harm.  Mr. 
Draper  told  him  he  rather  thought  not,  and  his  friend  seemed 
content. 

"Many  were  awakened,  and  the  meeting  continued  until  late  at 
night.  An  old  raftsman,  seventy  years  of  age,  was  awakened  and 
converted.  Mr.  Draper  told  the  major  to  take  the  names  of  all 
who  wished  to  join  the  society,  and  he  must  lead  the  meetings. 
Twenty-two  persons  gave  him  their  names,  and  he  was  regularly 
installed  as  a  class  leader  in  the  Methodist  Church  almost  before 
he  was  aware  of  it." 

He  continued  to  act  as  class  leader  until  the  time  of  his  death  in 
1811  or  1812. 

"The  following  persons  were  members  of  the  first  class  formed 
in  Salem:  Theodore  Woodbridge,  Ephraim  and  Dorcas  Bidwell, 
Harris  and  Ruey  Hamlin,  Ruey  Hamlin  [afterward  Mrs.  Baldwin, 
of  Minnesota],  Michael  Mitchel  and  wife,  Catharine  Hamlin 
[afterward  Mrs.  Lee,  of  Canaan],  Irena  Potter,  Dorcas  Miller, 


666 


Wyoming  Conference 


Charles  and  Ann  Goodrich,  Charles  Goodrich,  Jr.,  Timothy  and 
Betsy  Hollister,  Josiah  and  Eunice  Curtis,  Gideon  and  Ann  Cur- 
tis, Fitch  H.  Curtis,  William  Cobb,  Salmon  and  Sally  Jones, 
Joseph  Miller,  William  and  Ann  Dayton,  Sanford  and  Laminta 
Wright,  Jeremiah  and  Ruth  Osgood,  Edmund  and  Rebecca  Nich- 
olson, and  Oliver  Hamlin." 

"The  stewards'  book  of  1812  shows  the  following  additions: 
Luther,  Polly,  Prudence,  Jabez,  Oren,  and  Sally  Bidwell,  Sophia 
Curtis,  Sally  Hamlin,  Lucena  Wright,  Polly  and  Joel  Potter, 
Hannah  Wheatcraft,  Henry  and  Lucy  Avery,  Adrial  and  Achsah 
Andrews,  Samuel  Harford,  John  Andrews,  Lucy  Andrews,  Lamira 
Avery,  Benjamin  Harrison.  Later  John  Glossenger,  Betsy  Ryon, 
Sally  Brown,  Cyprian  Cobb,  Mary  Glossenger,  Nancy  Loudon, 
and  Eli  Mitchell  are  mentioned.  The  first  quarterly  meeting  was 
held  by  Presiding  Elder  Anning  Owen,  in  Major  Woodbridge's 
barn.  The  Woodbridge  house  was  on  the  East  and  West  road, 
about  midway  between  Hamlinton  and  Little  Meadows.  The  barn 
stood  on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  a  little  east  of  the  house  which 
was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road." — R.  M.  Stocker. 

The  old  stewards'  book  for  Canaan  Circuit  for  1808  shows  that 
Rev.  Thomas  Elliott  received  quarterage.  According  to  the 
Minutes  he  w-as  appointed  to  Tioga  Circuit.  He  may  have  been 
brought  liere  to  help  with  the  expanding  work. 

In  September,  181 8,  a  very  successful  camp  meeting  was  held 
in  Salem. 

When  Canaan  Circuit  was  formed  in  1808,  being  taken  from 
Wyoming  Circuit,  Salem  became  the  head  of  the  circuit.  In  1820 
the  circuit  had  twelve  preaching  places.  When  there  was  a  sec- 
ond or  junior  preacher  on  the  circuit  he  lived  at  Canaan  Corners. 
When  Salem  Circuit  was  formed  from  Canaan  Circuit  in  1842 
the  two  preachers  lived,  one  at  Salem,  the  other  at  Sterling.  In 
1855  Salem  Circuit  contained  the  following  preaching  places: 
Salem,  Noble  Hill,  Catterson,  South  Sterling,  Jefiferson,  Bidwell 
Hill,  North  Salem,  Jones's  Settlement,  Hollisterville,  Clifif  School- 
house.  In  i860  Sterling  was  set  off,  since  which  time  Salem  has 
had  five  preaching  places:  Hamlinton  (Salem  Corners),  Hollister- 
ville, Maplewood,  Little  Chapel,  and  Bidwell  Hill. 

"In  1815  Charles  Goodrich  deeded  the  land  where  the  church  in 
Hamlinton  now  stands  to  Gideon  Curtis,  Adrial  Andrews,  Edmund 
Nicholson,  Charles  Goodrich,  Jr.,  and  Fitch  H.  Curtis,  evidently 
for  school  and  religious  purposes,  this  being  the  lot  on  which  the 
old  schoolhouse  stood.  In  1829  this  same  land  was  deeded  by  the 
above-named  grantees  to  William   Noble,   Timothy  Hollister, 


Salem,  Pa. 


667 


Anson  Goodrich,  and  Oliver  Hamlin,  trustees  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Salem.  In  1830  these  same  trustees,  with 
the  addition  of  Samuel  Harford,  obtained  a  charter  from  the  Salem 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  A  union  church  had  been  built 
on  the  lot  and  dedicated  August  18,  1827.  The  Methodists  gave 
one  half  and  Presbyterians  and  Protestants  the  other  half,  with 
the  understanding  that  the  Methodist  Episcopals  should  have  the 
church  every  alternate  Sabbath  in  the  morning  and  the  other 
Sabbath  in  the  afternoon.  The  Presbyterians  and  Protestants 
divided  the  balance  of  the  time  between  them.  One  Sunday  the 
Protestants  took  possession  of  the  church  a  half  hour  earlier  than 
the  regular  hour,  when  it  was  not  their  turn.  The  Methodists 
got  the  keys  and  locked  them  out.  These  difficulties  culminated 
in  a  lawsuit  between  the  Presbyterians  and  Methodists,  in  which 
the  Presbyterians  were  victors,  after  which  the  Methodists  bought 
out  the  interest  of  such  individual  Presbyterians  as  would  sell. 
Dr.  Wright  and  some  others  would  not  sell,  and  always  claimed 
their  rights.  When  the  Presbyterians  built  their  church  in  1832- 
33,  some  of  the  Methodists  aided  the  enterprise.  Old  difficulties 
have  vanished  and  good-will  now  prevails. 

"This  union  church  was  38x40,  with  two  entrance  doors  in  the 
south  end,  a  high  pulpit  between  the  doors,  and  galleries  on  the 
north  end  and  the  two  sides.  The  women  sat  on  the  west  side  of  the 
church,  while  the  men  occupied  the  other  side." — R.  M.  Stacker. 

Rev.  George  Peck,  D.D.,  preached  the  last  sermon  in  the  old 
church  and  laid  the  corner  stone  of  the  present  churqh,  which  is 
called  Centenary,  in  1866.  The  building  was  dedicated  on  Thurs- 
day, April  25,  1867,  Rev.  H.  Mattison  preaching  in  the  morning 
and  Rev.  George  Peck,  D.D.,  in  the  evening. 

The  present  parsonage  was  built  in  1872-73. 

Father  Anson  Goodrich  lived  until  1861,  when  he  passed  away, 
and  his  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  William  Wyatt,  on 
July  6,  1861. 

A  letter  to  the  Northern  Christian  Advocate  gives  evidence 
that  amid  many  triumphs  there  have  been  some  trying  experiences 
on  this  circuit.  In  1852  the  "animosity  of  the  children  of  darkness 
to  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  manifested  itself  by  throwing  a  dead 
dog  in  the  parsonage  well,  stealing  the  pastor's  chickens,  and 
slitting  his  carriage  top  in  pieces."  In  fact,  the  pastor  was  so 
terrorized  that  he  moved  his  family  ofif  the  charge  two  months 
before  Conference.  It  is  understood  that  these  troubles  arose  be- 
cause of  the  pastor's  antislavery  and  temperance  sentiments  being 
too  advanced  for  some. 


668 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  years  1837-38,  1861-62,  and  1900  were  among  the  good  re- 
vival seasons,  and  1859-60  is  still  talked  about  as  the  great  revival 
when  there  were  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  conversions. 

Lackawaxen  was  with  Salem  a  short  time. 

Bidzi'dl  Hill.  A  class  had  existed  here  a  number  of  years, 
when  on  October  9,  1869,  the  corner  stone  was  laid  for  the  church. 
When  the  church  was  half  built  a  revival  broke  out  which  greatly 
strengthened  the  class.  The  revival  of  1901  doubled  the  mem- 
bership of  the  society. 

Maplewood  class  was  organized  on  December  10,  1870,  by  the 
pastor.  It  was  called  'Torest  Chapel"  a  while,  subsequently  ''For- 
est Mills,"  but  is  now  called  ]Maplewood  and  is  in  Lake  township. 
The  church  was  begun  in  1871.  When  partly  finished  the  society 
began  using  it.  It  was  completed  in  1874,  and  dedicated  on 
Thursday,  November  19,  1874.  Rev.  A.  GriflBn  preached  and 
raised  $900.  The  chapel  cost  about  $2,000.  Rev.  D.  C.  Olm- 
slead  conducted  the  dedicatory  service. 

Little  Chapel  is  a  small  building  given  to  the  society  by  Andrew 
J.  Andrews  in  the  deed  by  which  James  Floyd  and  Sarah  his 
wife  conveyed  a  farm  to  him  on  February  11,  1858.  The  claim 
which  conveys  the  property  to  the  Methodists  reads,  "excepting 
and  reserving  therefrom  to  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  their 
heirs  and  assigns,  the  building  on  easterly  portion  of  said  premises 
called  the  'Little  Chapel*  for  the  use  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  exclusively."  A  revival  in  1899  greatly  strengthened 
this  society. 

HoUisterville.  The  society  here  was  formed  in  1850.  The  class 
worshiped  in  a  union  church  with  the  ]^Iethodist  Protestants  until 
1870,  when  the  class  removed  to  Greenwood  Chapel,  where  there 
had  been  a  good  revival  recently.  It  formed  a  part  of  the  union 
charge  until  1874,  and  the  class  returned  to  HoUisterville,  be- 
coming again  a  part  of  Salem  Circuit,  and  worshiped  in  the  Baptist 
church  until  1884.  The  old  academy  building  and  lot  were  pur- 
chased by  James  \'an  Camp  and  presented  to  the  society.  The 
deed  had  not  been  executed  long  when  repairs  began,  and  $525  was 
spent  in  fitting  the  building  for  church  uses.  The  property  is 
valued  at  $2,000.  It  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  February  28, 
1884,  Rev.  A.  B.  Richardson  preaching  at  1 130  p.  m.  and  Rev. 
J.  Madison  in  the  evening.  A  revival  in  i860  added  sixty  to  the 
society. 


South  Canaan,  Pa. 


669 


Pastorates 

1842,  C.  Perkins,  W.  Dean ;  1843,  Dean ;  1844,  Thomas  Wil- 
cox; 1845,  G.  M.  Peck;  1846,  E.  A.  Young;  1847-48,  C.  E.  Taylor; 
1849-50,  J.  B.  Cooper;  185 1,  Z.  S.  Kellogg;  1852,  G.  W.  Leach; 
1853,  C.  V.  Arnold ;  1854,  C.  V.  Arnold,  Charles  White ;  1855,  R.  S. 
Rose;  1856,  R.  S.  Rose,  J.  T.  W.  SiilKvan;  1857,  F.  Spencer,  M. 
Swallow;  1858,  M.  Swallow,  W.  H.  Leak;  1859,  J-  Miller,  L.  C. 
Phillips;  i860,  A.  R.  Jones;  1861-62,  J.  Madison;  1863,  C. 
Malsbury;  1864-66,  J.  O.  Woodruff;  1867-68,  N.  W.  Everett; 
1869-71,  S.  F.  Wright;  1872,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1873,  H.  H. 
Dresser;  1874-75,  W.  G.  Queal;  1876-77,  P.  R.  Tower;  1878-79, 
G.  M.  Peck;  1880-82,  J.  Underwood;  1883-85,  A.  F.  Brown;  1886- 
87,  S.  Homan;  1888-90,  J.  V.  Newell;  1891-93,  P.  Houck;  1894- 
96,  H.  G.  Harned;  1897-98,  L  N.  Steelman;  1899-1902,  E.  A. 
yuimby ;  1903,  L.  T.  Van  Campen. 

South  Canaan,  Pa. 

As  early  as  18 10  this  territory  came  under  the  influence  of  the 
Methodist  itinerant.    In  the  early  days  of  Canaan  Circuit,  Canaan 


I 


SOUTH  CANAAN  CHURCH 


Corners,  between  South  Canaan  and  Waymart,  was  the  point  from 
which  work  on  this  end  of  the  circuit  was  done. 

The  South  Canaan  class  first  worshiped  in  an  old  dwelling  on 
or  near  the  farm  now  owned  by  Eugene  Swingle.  A  Mr.  Swingle 
had  lived  in  the  house,  and,  having  built  himself  a  new  one,  per- 


676 


Wyoming  Conference 


mitted  the  Methodists  to  worship  in  the  one  he  had  vacated.  In 
course  of  time  a  schoolhouse  was  built  near  where  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church  now  stands.  It  was  in  this  schoolhouse  that 
John  D.  Gilbert  preached  in  182 1,  and  where  services  were  held 
until  1834,  when  a  church  was  built  on  the  site  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church.  Services  continued  here  for  years.  When 
the  church  divided  both  factions  continued  to  worship  in  the 
church.  In  time  it  became  very  much  in  need  of  repair.  Our 
people  wished  to  repair,  but  the  Methodist  Protestants  refused, 
whereupon  our  people  left  the  building  and  built  for  themselves. 

The  society  was  chartered  on  May  2,  1865,  with  Owen  Bronson, 
Harmon  McMinn,  P.  W.  Lerch,  Henry  Lerch,  Sylvanus  Osborn, 
Henry  Bronson,  H.  W.  Newton,  W.  H.  Moore,  John  W.  David, 
Miles  Swingle,  A.  C.  Cortright,  William  McDavid,  S.  L.  Darte, 
and  Simon  Swingle  trustees.  The  church  was  built  in  1865- 
66  on  a  lot  donated  by  Philip  W.  Lerch  and  wife,  the  deed  for 
the  same  being  executed  on  June  16,  1866.  The  building  cost 
$2,300,  and  was  dedicated  on  February  15,  1866,  Dr.  George  Peck 
preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon.  Repairs  were  made  on  the 
building  in  1886,  1892,  and  1897. 

The  parsonage  was  bought  on  March  19,  1871,  of  William  L. 
Marcy  for  $450,  and  in  1877  the  old  house  gave  place  to  a  new 
one  costing  $1,000.  The  house  was  repaired  in  1895,  and  in  1897 
at  a  cost  of  $200. 

The  cemetery  is  owned  by  this  society.  On  January  4,  1871, 
Samuel  Hetzel  donated  one  acre  and  forty-eight  rods  for  that 
purpose,  and  on  July  3,  1886,  one  acre  and  ninety  perches  were 
bought  for  $225,  of  Mr.  Hetzel,  making  an  addition  to  the  former 
plot. 

East  Chapel  is  east  from  South  Canaan  Corners  one  mile.  It 
is  built  on  land  leased  from  Alexander  Correll,  and  when  the 
property  is  no  longer  used  for  church  purposes  it  reverts  to  Mr. 
Correll.  The  chapel  cost  $662.95,  and  was  dedicated  on  January 
22,  1899,  Rev.  P.  R.  Tower  preaching  the  sermon  of  the  day. 

Vardcn,  or  Hemlock,  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  where 
preaching  services  are  held  biweekly  and  a  Sunday  school  sus- 
tained. The  society  was  incorporated  on  September  15,  1868, 
with  Andrew  Swingle,  James  Robinson,  Henry  Reed,  John 
Shafer,  Adam  Wagner,  and  Samuel  Hetzel  trustees. 

Gravity  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  where  a  Sunday  school 
is  sustained  and  preaching  services  held  biweekly. 


Sterling,  Pa. 


67t 


Prior  to  1821  work  was  done  largely  by  the  preachers  on  Canaan 
Circuit.  We  give  the  appointments  of  Canaan  from  1821-59. 
South  Canaan  appears  in  the  Minutes  in  i860. 

Pastorates 

1821,  John  D.  Gilbert;  1822,  Elisha  Bibins,  H.  D.  Warren; 
1823,  Elisha  Bibins;  1824,  Joshua  Rogers,  Mark  Preston;  1825, 
Joshua  Rogers,  Sophronius  Stocking,  Joseph  Castle;  1826, 
Sophronius  Stocking,  Joseph  Castle,  J.  Pearsall ;  1827,  John  Say  re, 
Silas  Comfort;  1828,  John  Parker,  V.  M.  Coryell;  1829,  George 
Evans,  Peter  Wentz;  1830,  George  Evans,  M.  Ruger;  1831,  E. 
Reed;  1832,  M.  H.  Gaylord ;  1833,  C.  W.  Harris,  E.  W.  Tenney; 
1834,  Marcus  R.  Cushman,  Erastus  Smith ;  1835,  B.  Ellis ;  1836,  L. 
S.  Bennett,  A.  Barker;  1837,  L.  S.  Bennett,  William  Reddy;  1838, 
C.  P.  Stanley,  W.  M.  Wooley;  1839,  John  Barnes;  1840,  L.  S. 

Bennett,  1841,  J.  O.  Boswell  ;  1842,    Phillips;  1843,  John 

Mulkey;  1844-45,  Epenetus  Owen;  1846-47,  G.  M.  Peck;  1848, 
Charles  Perkins;  1849,  T.  Wilcox;  1850,  A.  Schoonmaker;  1851, 
T.  Wilcox;  1852-53,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1854-55,  Erastus  Smith; 
1856,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1857,  S.  W.  Weiss,  G.  S.  Griffin;  1858,  C.  L. 

Rice,  G.  S.  Griffin;  1859,   Whittie;  i860,  E.  Postore;  1861, 

W.  P.  Abbott;  1862-63,  J.  T.  Crowell;  1864-66,  George  C.  Hart; 
1867-68,  G.  Westfall;  1^69-70,  J.  R.  Angell;  1871,  H.  G.  Harned; 
1872-73,  W.  B.  Golden;  1874-75,  F.  Gendall ;  1876-78,  S.  Jay; 
1879-81,  P.  M.  Mott;  1882,  S.  W.  Spencer;  1883-84,  R.  Varcoe; 
1885-87,  E.  Kilpatrick;  1888-89,  S.  C.  Simpkins;  1890-93,  J.  H. 
Boyce;  1894-95,  P.  R.  Tower;  1896-98,  H.  A.  Smith;  1899-1901, 
J.  A.  Transue;  1902-03,  A.  Eastman. 

Sterling,  Pa. 

Sterling,  or  Nobletown,  was  settled  by  Crosses,  Bortrees,  and 
Gilpins  about  1800.  Edward  Mullingsford  and  Charles  Clif¥  made 
their  advent  here  in  1816,  and  William  T.  and  David  W.  Noble  in 
1820.  This  place  was  one  of  the  preaching  places  on  Wyoming 
and,  afterward,  Canaan  Circuits.  It  was  known  as  the  Irish  Set- 
tlement at  first,  afterward  as  Newfoundland,  and  finally  as 
Sterling.  In  1806  Alfred  Griffith,  who  was  one  of  the  preachers 
on  Wyoming  Circuit,  was  met  by  an  Irishman  *'by  the  name  of 
Matthew  Bortree,  who  had  been  a  Methodist  in  his  native  country, 
but,  having  emigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  where  he  enjoyed 
no  religious  privileges,  had  become  cold  and  backslidden.  But 
the  Holy  Spirit  again  visited  him,  and  he  became  deeply  anxious 


672 


Wyoming  Conference 


to  retrieve  his  spiritual  losses,  and  the  object  of  his  present  visit 
was  to  get  the  promise  of  the  preachers  to  visit  his  settlement  and 
establish  there  an  appointment.  The  settlement  was  of  about 
twenty  years'  standing,  and  yet  a  sermon  had  never  been  heard, 
nor  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  seen  in  it."  The  result  of  this  visit 
was  an  agreement  that  ^Ir.  Griffith  should  make  the  first  visit  to 
the  settlement.  The  agreement  was  fulfilled.  He  put  up  at 
Bortree's  house.  On  the  evening  of  his  arrival  he  preached  to 
seventy  or  eighty  persons.  The  following  day  he  preached  morn- 
ing, afternoon,  and  evening.  After  the  second  service  Bill 
Clemons,  a  rough  fellow,  approached  him  and  asked  him  what  he 
meant  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.    He  responded  by 


STERLING  CHURCH 


reading  him  the  articles  of  faith  and  general  rules.  With  deep 
feeling  Clemons  said  he  would  not  object  to  becoming  a  Methodist 
himself.  The  appointment  was  regularly  kept  up,  and  winter  wit- 
nessed a  blessed  revival  in  the  settlement.  Matthew  Bortree  be- 
came a  local  preacher,  and  it  is  claimed  that  on  the  spot  where 
Bortree's  house  stood  the  church  now  stands.  Bill  Clemons 
became  a  class  leader. 

Services  were  held  in  early  days  in  William  T.  Noble's  barn 
(now  L.  L.  Ames's)  and  in  Isaac  Megargle's  (now  A.  J.  Cross's). 
A  little  later  services  were  held  in  the  Xobletown  schoolhouse. 

The  first  class  of  which  we  have  any  record  was  in  1822. 
William  T.  Noble  was  the  leader  and  an  exhorter.    The  class  in- 


Sterling,  Pa. 


673 


eluded  William  T.  Noble  and  wife,  Charles  Cliff  and  wife,  Lyman 
Noble,  William  E.  Hamlin  and  wife,  and  Mary  A.  MuUingsford. 

In  1848  a  frame  church,  32x48,  was  built,  but  not  completed, 
costing  about  $1,000.  Pierce  Coston  and  Roswell  Noble  were  the 
carpenters  who  built  it;  much  in  labor  and  materials  were  con- 
tributed, however.  George  Stevens  was  killed  in  felling  timber 
for  this  church.  The  society  became  incorporate  on  May  12, 
1849,  with  Edward  MuUingsford,  James  M.  Noble,  William  E. 
Hamlin,  John  Catterson,  Charles  F.  Cliff,  Isaac  Megargle,  and 
Simon  Bortree  trustees.  Most  of  these  men  served  the  church 
faithfully  many  years.  The  building  committee  consisted  of  Simon 
Bortree,  James  M.  Noble,  Isaac  Megargle,  William  E.  Hamlin, 
and  Allen  Bortree.  The  interior  of  the  church  was  finished,  and 
the  dedication  occurred  on  May  11,  185 1,  Rev.  H.  R.  Clarke 
preaching  and  conducting  the  dedicatory  services.  The  lot  upon 
which  the  church  was  built  passed  by  deed  to  the  society  on  April 
20,  1854,  from  James  M.  Noble,  in  consideration  of  $IQ. 

In  1 87 1  a  tower  was  built  and  an  eight-hundred-pound  bell 
purchased. 

In  June,  1899,  this  building  was  sold  at  auction,  Jeremiah  Gilpin 
buying  it  for  $60.  It  was  torn  down  and  moved  away.  The 
present  church  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  The  building  com- 
mittee consisted  of  Rev.  David  Evans,  S.  N.  Cross,  J.  E.  Cross, 
L.  F.  Ammerman,  and  A.  W.  Noble.  The  windows  are  memorial 
windows  and  cost  $650.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  gave  a  window 
bearing  the  pastor's  name.  The  Epworth  League  and  Society  of 
Young  Helpers  each  put  in  a  window.  David  Bortree  put  in  a 
window  as  a  memorial  to  Simon  and  Rachel  Bortree.  The  Junior 
League  has  a  window.  Others  are  in  memory  of  Russel  E.  Cross, 
Charles  F.  Cliff,  Allen  Bortree,  F.  J.  Bortree,  M.  J.  Bortree,  John 
and  Alice  A.  Simons,  Mary  A.  Cross,  WiUiam  W.  Noble,  James 
M.  and  Eliza  M.  Noble,  William  E.  Hamlin  and  Deborah  A. 
Hamlin,  Thomas  M.  Noble,  and  several  windows  bear  the  names 
of  parties  still  living.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  in  addition  to  $300 
given  on  the  subscription,  gave  the  carpet,  kneeling  cushion,  and 
pulpit  chair,  costing  $192.  The  Society  of  Young  Helpers  gave 
the  Bible  and  organ,  besides  giving  $200  on  subscription.  W.  H. 
Cross  gave  the  Hymnal.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  February 
28,  1900,  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner,  assisted  by  Revs.  L.  W.  Karschner 
and  E.  A.  Quimby. 

Edward  MuUingsford,  wife,  and  only  child,  Mary,  died  in  1857 
and  bequeathed  $1,000  to  the  society.  Of  this  $100  was  paid  to 
James  M.  Noble  for  an  acre  of  ground  to  be  used  as  a  cemetery, 
43 


674 


Wyoming  Conference 


and  the  rest  was  spent  in  building  a  parsonage  and  barn;  $650 

was  paid  for  building  the  parsonage  "from  the  foundation  up." 
In  1 901  the  building  was  enlarged  and  improved  at  a  cost  of  $600. 

This  territory  was  first  served  from  Wyoming  Circuit,  and  sub- 
sequently formed  a  part  of  Canaan  Circuit.  When  Salem  Circuit 
was  formed  in  1842  this  territory  constituted  a  part  of  that  circuit. 
In  1853  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold  lived  at  Salem  and  Rev.  Mr.  White  at 
Sterling,  the  first  pastor  to  live  at  this  place,  the  two  men  alternat- 
ing in  their  work.  In  1859  Jacob  Miller  and  L.  C.  Phillips  were 
on  the  circuit.  For  some  cause,  now  unknown,  the  Sterling  part 
of  the  circuit  disliked  Mr.  Miller,  while  the  Salem  part  liked  him. 
The  Quarterly  Conference,  consequently,  decided  to  drop  Sterling 
from  the  charge.  Accordingly,  in  i860  the  Sterling  part  of  the 
circuit  was  formed  into  a  charge.  The  appointments  were  Noble 
Hill  (SterHng),  South  Sterling,  Cliff's  (probably  Jericho),  Cat- 
terson's  (on  the  road  to  Moscow,  one  mile  from  Nobletown),  and 
Sugar  Hill  (back  of  Hemlock  Grove).  The  following  year  Cliff's 
was  discontinued.  In  1862  three  appointments  were  added — Pau- 
pack,  Ledgedale,  and  Robinson's.  These  were  all  discontinued  at 
the  end  of  the  year,  and  an  appointment  at  Lee's  Schoolhouse  in- 
stituted, which  was  continued  but  one  year.  In  1864  there  were 
four  appointments  in  the  circuit — Noble  Hill,  South  Sterling, 
Cliff's,  and  Sugar  Hill.  In  1866  another  change  in  the  appoint- 
ments was  made  by  adding  Gouldsboro.  This  and  Cliff's,  which 
seems  to  have  been  taken  up  again,  were  discontinued  at  the  end 
of  the  year,  and  Hemlock  Grove  taken  up. 

The  following  have  served  this  society  as  trustees,  in  addition 
to  the  first  board:  John  Simons,  John  H.  Williams,  Charles  F. 
Cliff,  Allen  Bortree,  Lewis  Simons,  George  E.  Cliff,  Albert  J. 
Cliff,  Thomas  M.  Noble,  James  D.  Gilpin  (who  was  also  recording 
steward  twenty-one  years),  A.  J.  Cross,  and  D.  L.  Cross. 

South  Sterling  class  worshiped  first  in  a  schoolhouse  which 
stood  where  the  church  now  stands,  subsequently  in  a  schoolhouse 
which  stood  where  Frey's  blacksmith  shop  now  stands.  This  used 
to  be  called  the  Lancaster  or  Gilpin  Settlement.  After  a  precious 
work  of  grace  in  1853  the  pastor  circulated  a  subscription  paper 
for  the  building  of  a  church.  The  church  was  built  at  a  cost  of 
$1,500,  on  land  donated  the  society  by  Richard  Gilpin  and  wife, 
and  was  dedicated  in  1854,  Rev.  George  Peck  officiating.  The  lot 
contains  one  acre  and  twenty  perches.  The  trustees  at  the  time 
were  Richard  Gilpin,  Richard  Lancaster,  Christian  G.  Wolf, 
Samuel  Banks,  and  John  T.  Crothers.    The  building  was  re- 


South  Sterling,  Pa.  675 

modeled  in  1903  at  an  expense  of  $2,298.92.  The  building  com- 
mittee was  Isaac  M.  Barns,  Benson  Carlton,  Emory  Gilpin,  Perry 
Gilpin,  and  Dr.  F.  Gilpin.  The  church  was  reopened  on  November 
30,  1893,  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner  preaching  from  John  iv,  38,  and  Rev, 
W.  L.  Thorpe  conducting  the  dedicatory  service.  Five  hundred 
dollars  was  raised  at  this  service.   In  1901  memorial  windows  were 


SOUTH  STERLING  CHURCH 


put  in  the  Sunday  school  room,  making  it  correspond  with  the 
auditorium,  which  has  memorial  windows.  The  society  was 
chartered  on  December  8,  1859,  Richard  Gilpin,  Richard  Lan- 
caster, F.  Lancaster,  John  Lancaster,  C.  W.  Gilpin,  Jeremiah 
Gilpin,  C.  G.  Wolf,  Samuel  Banks,  and  Daniel  Gorman  being 
named  as  trustees. 

Laanna,  formerly  called  Houcktown.  In  1888  there  were  no 
religious  services  held  at  this  place,  the  people  attending  services 
at  South  Sterling,  three  miles  away.  On  January  6,  1889,  the 
people  of  the  community  met  and  organized  a  Sunday  school, 
electing  George  W.  Carlton  superintendent,  and  he  has  continued 
to  serve  until  the  present  time.  The  schoolhouse  was  used  for 
Sunday  school  purposes,  and  biweekly  preaching  services  were 
commenced  here  in  the  fall  of  1889. 

A  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  in  1897,  and  when  the 
subscription  for  the  church  was  started  it  had  between  two  and 
three  hundred  dollars.  The  church  was  built  upon  a  lot  donated 
by  Nathan,  John,  and  Charles  Houck.  The  building  is  24x36  feet 
with  an  ell  14x20  feet.    It  was  commenced  on  October  6,  1898, 


676 


Wyoming  Conference 


and  finished  in  the  spring  of  1899,  having  cost  $2,000.  It  was 
dedicated  on  June  21,  1899,  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner. 

The  first  and  present  trustees  are  M.  O.  Smith,  Emory  Gilpin, 


LAANXA  CHURCH 


WilHam  BHtz,  John  Houck,  Charles  Houck,  E.  H.  Holmes,  James 
R.  Smith,  Reuben  Lancaster,  and  George  W.  Carlton. 

Hemlock  Grove.  We  are  unable  to  state  when  work  was  begun 
here.  The  site  for  the  church  was  a  gift  from  Jesse  R.  Burrus. 
The  building  was  commenced  in  1873  and  was  finished  in  1875, 
being  dedicated  on  Thursday,  July  21,  1875,  and  cost  $2,500.  The 
first  trustees  were  Theodore  Correll,  Lewis  Robacker,  Peter  Corey, 
Samuel  Banks,  and  Charles  Brink.  Samuel  Banks  was  the  first 
class  leader,  and  has  been  followed  by  George  H.  Bortree,  Lewis 
Robacker,  and  James  W\  Gilpin.  The  first  Sunday  school  superin- 
tendent was  Horace  E.  Kipp,  and  Professor  Dooley,  David  Bais- 
ley,  T.  H.  Gilpin,  J.  C.  Carlton,  Angeline  Burrus,  and  Theodore 
Correll  have  since  served.  In  1895  the  church  was  repaired  at  a 
cost  of  $125. 

Pastorates 

1860-61,  I.  T.  Walker;  1862-63,  J.  O.  Woodruff;  1864,  G. 
Westfall;  1865-66,  D.  Personeus ;  1867-68,  G.  A.  Severson ;  1869- 
70,  H.  G.  Harned;  1871,  D.  Larish ;  1872-74,  George  Pritchett; 
1875,  J.  F.  Williams;  1876-78,  J.  F.  Warner;  1879,  F.  A.  Dony; 
1880-81,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1882-83,  P.  M.  Mott ;  1884-85,  D.  G. 
Stevens;  1886-88,  Jonathan  Weston;  1889-90,  J.  Madison;  1891- 


Thompson,  Pa. 


677 


93,  L.  W.  Karschner;  1894-96,  J.  H.  Boyce;  1897-1902,  D.  Evans; 
1903,  A.  O.  Williams. 

Thompson,  Pa. 

It  is  claimed  that  Rev.  Nathaniel  Lewis,  a  local  preacher,  who 
lived  near  Susquehanna,  was  the  first  to  preach  in  this  place,  and 
that  he  organized  the  class,  which  consisted  of  Frederick  and 
Rachel  Bingham,  John  and  Ann  Writer,  and  Betsy  Gelatt.  Meet- 
ings were  held  at  Writer's,  Rosengrant's  (where  Jenkins  after- 
ward lived),  Collins's,  Gelatt's,  and  Bingham's.  Funerals  were 
usually  held  at  Writer's  until  the  schoolhouse  was  built.  John 
Writer  was  the  first  leader,  and  subsequently  Charles  Writer  and 
John  Jenkins  were  leaders.  Willard  Calhoun  was  the  most  noted 
local  man  who  ever  preached  here.  He  was  a  rough,  fighting  man 
before  his  conversion,  and  a  noisy,  shouting  preacher  afterward. 
He  is  said  to  have  frequently  stepped  out  of  his  way  in  order  to 
kick  Jonathan  Gelatt's  dog,  because,  he  said,  it  was  a  Calvinistic 
dog.  The  Gelatts  favored  the  Baptists  and  were  consequently 
Calvinists. 

In  1850  the  class  had  but  eleven  members,  eight  women  and 
three  men,  and  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse.  A  gracious  revival 
this  year  not  only  added  to  the  society,  but  resulted  in  building 
the  church. 

The  building  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  January  8,  1852,  by 
Z.  Paddock,  D.D.  "The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Thomp- 
son Mission"  was  incorporated  on  September  8,  1853,  with  Daniel 
M.  Bennedict,  Lyman  Woodmansee,  Omar  A.  Larkin,  Henry 
Sampson,  and  Christopher  P.  Tallman  trustees. 

The  church  was  renovated  in  1875  at  an  expense  of  $500,  and  in 
1887  $600  was  spent  in  beautifying  the  interior  and  rebuilding  the 
vspire. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  formed  a  part  of  the  Lanesboro 
Circuit  many  years,  and  may  possibly  have  been  with  Sanford 
Circuit  a  while. 

From  i860  to  1865  this  charge  was  called  Ararat. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1876,  costing  $900.  It  was  ex- 
tensively repaired  in  1902. 

Starrucca  is  four  miles  north  of  Thompson.  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Lewis,  of  South  Harmony,  now  Susquehanna,  visited  Starrucca, 
and,  after  many  rebufi^s  in  his  attempts  to  secure  a  place  in  which 
to  preach,  finally  persuaded  Thomas  Carr,  an  innkeeper,  to  allow 
him  to  preach  in  his  barroom.  These  services  resulted  in  the  con- 
version of  the  landlord's  wife  and  daughter,  and  finally  the  land- 


678 


Wyoming  Conference 


lord  himself.  Services  were  held  in  this  barroom  some  time,  and 
a  class  was  organized  there.  Local  preachers  continued  to  labor 
here  assisted  by  ministers  from  surrounding  charges.  The  growth 
of  the  class  made  it  necessary  to  secure  a  larger  room  for  worship, 
and  the  services  were  accordingly  transferred  to  the  school  build- 
ing, known  as  the  ''Baptist  schoolhouse."  The  class  continued  to 
worship  in  the  schoolhouse  until  the  erection  of  the  first  Methodist 
church  at  Starrucca,  known  as  the  "Old  Church."  This  church 
was  dedicated  on  January  i,  1848,  Rev.  Philip  Bartlett  preaching 
from  Psa.  xciii,  5.  This  building  still  exists,  and  is  one  of  the 
landmarks  of  the  village.  Some  years  ago  it  was  removed  from 
its  original  site  to  the  lower  end  of  the  town,  and  is  now  used  as  a 
dwelling  house. 

The  present  church  was  built  in  1871-72,  on  a  site  which  was 
deeded  as  a  gift  to  the  society  on  June  19,  1873,  by  Judge  Elisha 
P.  Strong.  This  gentleman  gave  munificent  aid  to  this  enterprise. 
The  building  was  dedicated  on  June  13,  1872.  At  the  morning 
service  Rev.  N.  S.  Reynolds  offered  prayer,  Rev.  W.  B.  Kinney 
read  a  Scripture  lesson,  and  Rev.  D.  D.  Lindsley  preached  from 
''Thy  kingdom  come,"  after  which  $2,700  was  raised.  The  church 
was  then  dedicated  by  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead.  At  the  evening 
service  Rev.  H.  H.  Dresser  offered  prayer,  and  Rev.  W.  B.  Kinney 
preached  from  "What  is  truth?"  after  which  $250  was  raised  for 
the  purchase  of  an  organ. 

In  1850  services  were  held  in  a  schoolhouse  at  a  stone  quarry. 
For  a  few  years  Starrucca  was  a  part  of  Lake  Como  charge. 

Ararat  is  four  miles  south  of  Thompson.  In  early  times  there 
was  a  class  at  this  place,  of  which  Augustus  West  and  others  were 
leaders,  but  it  had  disbanded.  In  the  fall  of  1841  Susan  Baldwin 
invited  Rev.  William  Reddy  to  visit  Ararat  and  preach.  ]\Ir. 
Reddy  was  pastor  at  Carbondale  at  the  time.  He  visited  the  place, 
preached  in  the  schoolhouse,  and  promised  to  send  a  man  to  them 
who  would  organize  a  class  if  six  persons  could  be  found  to  join 
it.  Accordingly,  Rev.  Philo  Blackman,  who  was  serving  the 
Lanesboro  Circuit,  began  work  here  and  formed  a  class  consisting 
of  Asher  Chamberlain  and  wife,  Peter  Carlin  and  wife,  Susan 
Baldwin,  and  Roxanna  Avery.  Asher  Chamberlain  was  the  first 
class  leader.  He  was  followed  by  Thomas  Doyle,  who  joined  the 
class  soon  after  its  organization. 

The  church  was  built  on  a  lot  donated  by  Rolla  Carpenter,  and 
vvas  dedicated  on  Saturday,  August  16,  1873,  Rev.  Y.  C.  Smith, 
D.D.,  preaching  at  2  p.  m.  from  Matt,  v,  6. 


Thorn  HURST,  Pa. 


679 


In  the  fall  of  1882  one  hundred  conversions  and  sixty  accessions 
were  reported. 

Pastorates 

1852-53,  W.  Shelp;  1854,  S.  G.  Stevens;  1855,  M.  Swallow; 
1856,  M.  Swallow,  M.  L.  Bennett;  1857,  J-  Madison;  1858-59,  F. 
Illman;  i860,  Henry  Stanley;  1861,  Ira  N.  Pardee;  1862,  J.  L. 
Race;  1863,  C.  Pearce;  1864,  D.  WilHams ;  1865-67,  J.  Under- 
wood; 1868,  R.  Varcoe,  H.  H.  Strickland  ;  1869,  Lewis  Alexander; 
1870-71,  M.  D.  Matoon;  1872,  W.  W.  Andrews;  1873-75,  J.  F. 
Warner;  1876,  J.  G.  Stephens;  1877,  Y.  C.  Smith;  1878,  R. 
Hiorns;  1879,  R.  Varcoe;  1880-82,  T.  C.  Roskelly;  1883-84,  T. 
Burgess;  1885,  W.  H.  Stang;  1886,  C.  W.  Todd;  1887,  F.  P. 
Doty;  1888-89,  L.  Cole;  1890,  D.  A.  San  ford ;  1891,  T.  M.  Furey; 
1892,  T.  A.  Bell;  1893-96,  A.  C.  Olver;  1897-1901,  A.  D.  David; 
1902-03,  R.  M.  Pascoe. 

Thorn  HURST,  Pa. 

This  charge  is  the  old  Stoddartsville  charge.  The  church  at 
Thornhurst  was  built  about  1858.  The  contractor,  failing  to  get 
his  pay,  caused  the  property  to  be  sold  by  the  sheriff.  Josiah 
Lewis  bought  it  for  $50.  On  August  31,  1865,  Mr.  Lewis  sold 
the  property  to  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Gouldsboro"  for  $700.  The  church  lot  is  6x16  rods. 

In  June,  1888,  in  consideration  of  $101,  J.  B.  Finley  and  wife 
deeded  a  lot  on  the  east  side  of  the  church,  5x8  rods,  to  E.  J. 
Drum,  J.  B.  Gardner,  P.  E.  Williams,  Jacob  Blakeslee,  Lewis 
vStull,  and  P.  L.  Kinney,  who  were  trustees  of  the  society  at  that 
time.  One  dollar  was  paid  down,  and  a  mortgage  of  $100  given 
by  the  society.  It  is  understood  that  the  holder  of  the  mortgage 
made  a  present  of  the  claim  to  the  society  a  few  years  later.  The 
parsonage  was  built  in  1888,  at  a  probable  cost  of  $350. 

In  1889  the  society  purchased  a  lot  west  of  the  church,  contain- 
ing thirty-two  perches,  of  Abial  Leonard  and  wife  Fannie,  paying 
$125  for  it. 

Blakeslee  is  about  eight  miles  south  of  Thornhurst.  The  society 
was  organized  about  1840  in  a  log  schoolhouse  which  stood  very 
near  the  spot  occupied  by  the  present  church.  The  first  church 
was  built  about  1845.  The  trustees  at  that  time  were  Washington 
Winter,  William  Ebach,  Andrew  Eschenbach,  Jacob  Blakeslee, 
and  Hiram  Blowers,  who  also  acted  as  building  committee.  All 
have  gone  to  their  reward.  The  names  of  two  of  them  are  on 
memorial  windows  in  the  present  church.    The  present  church 


680 


Wyoming  Conference 


was  built  in  1896-97.  The  dilapidated  old  church  was  torn  down 
and  some  of  its  materials  used  in  the  new  church.  The  building 
committee  was  F.  P.  Blakeslee,  J.  M.  Warner,  James  Seurenbach, 
and  Rev.  A.  O.  Williams.  The  King's  Daughters  raised  a  large 
percentage  of  the  $1,500  which  the  new  enterprise  demanded.  Five 
young  ladies  raised  $100  each — Millie  Blakeslee,  Rachel  Blakeslee, 
Cora  F.  Warner,  Lula  Winter,  and  Mrs.  Alexander  McKeen. 
These  young  ladies  made  the  new  church  a  possibility.  The  dedi- 
catory services  were  held  on  February  16  and  17,  1897.  Rev.  J.  G. 
Fckman  preached  on  Tuesday  evening  and  Wednesday  afternoon. 
Rev.  John  Davy  preached  on  Wednesday  morning,  and  Rev.  W.  L. 
Thorpe  on  Wednesday  evening.  Mr.  Thorpe  managed  the 
finances,  and  at  the  close  of  the  evening  service  conducted  the 
dedicatory  service. 

Stoddartsville  is  ten  miles  southwest  of  Thornhurst.  The  place 
derives  its  name  from  one  of  its  early  settlers,  John  Stoddart,  who 
came  from  Philadelphia.  In  1813  Rev.  Marmaduke  Pearce,  the 
preacher  on  Wyoming  Circuit,  was  requested  to  establish  work 
here.  This  he  did,  and  Stoddartsville  became  a  regular  preaching 
place  on  the  circuit.  This  for  a  short  time  only,  and  then  it 
became  a  part  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  charge. 

Caleb  and  Robert  Kendall,  two  local  preachers  from  the  State 
of  Delaware,  settled  here  a  short  time  prior  to  18 13. 

Gilbert  Barnes  was  converted  and  joined  the  class.  While  it 
formed  a  part  of  the  Wilkes-Barre  charge  he  served  as  class 
leader  and  Sunday  school  superintendent  in  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
was  for  a  time  sexton  at  Wilkes-Barre,  walking  over  the  mountains 
on  Sunday  mornings  in  time  to  get  the  church  ready  for  service. 

The  church  was  built  about  1820  by  John  Stoddart,  a  Presby- 
terian, and  was  open  to  all  denominations.  About  1850  it  came 
into  the  hands  of  the  Methodists,  who  rebuilt  it  at  that  time.  Mr. 
L.  Stull  gave  a  deed  for  the  lot  at  the  time  of  rebuilding. 

About  this  time  Peter  L.  Kinney  was  elected  a  trustee,  and  is 
still  living,  having  been  a  trustee  all  these  years. 

Mrs.  Lewis  Stull  and  Mrs.  Henry  Stoddart  both  served  long 
terms  as  Sunday  school  superintendents. 

Preaching  services  are  held  here  now  during  the  summer 
months  only. 

Locust  Ridge  is  five  miles  southeast  of  Thornhurst.  It  is 
claimed  that  Methodism  has  existed  in  this  place  more  than  seventy 
years,  though  we  are  unable  to  give  definite  statements  concerning 
the  early  days. 


Locust  Ridge,  Pa. 


After  agitating  the  building  of  a  church  several  years  a  building 
committee  was  appointed  in  1897  and  $200  secured  on  subscrip- 
tion. Through  a  disagreement  in  the  community  concerning  its 
being  a  union  church  the  matter  was  dropped.  In  the  summer  of 
1900  church  building  was  again  agitated,  and  the  following  ap- 
pointed as  building  conmiittee :  Rev.  J.  N.  Meaker,  J.  E.  Bush, 
and  Michael  Argot.  The  first  meeting  of  this  committee  was 
held  on  October  10,  1900.  It  was  resolved  to  proceed  as  rapidly 
as  possible  to  build  a  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  "For,"  said  the 
pastor,  "if  the  Methodists  wish  to  build  a  church  they  have  no 
apology  to  make  to  any  other  denomination.  We  shall  waste  no 
time  in  talking  of  a  union  church."  During  the  winter  a  lot  was 
purchased  which  was  large  enough  for  the  church  and  a  cemetery. 
In  March,  190 1,  the  ground  was  broken,  and  on  April  6  the 
corner  stone  was  laid  by  the  pastor.  The  erection  of  this  church 
was  unique  in  the  history  of  church  building.  A  little  before  the 
corner  stone  was  laid  the  school  trustees  served  notice  on  the 
society  that  on  account  of  necessary  repairs  to  be  made  to  the 
building  the  society  could  no  longer  have  the  use  of  the  school- 
house  for  services.  Men  gathered  for  work,  volunteering  their 
services.  In  one  day  the  heavy  timbers  were  felled,  scored,  hewed, 
and  drawn  to  the  place  of  building.  On  a  second  day  some  hem- 
lock lumber  was  on  the  ground  at  night  which  in  the  morning 
had  stood  in  the  trees.  Michael  Argot,  J.  E.  Bush,  and  Nicholas 
Noll  each  gave  three  weeks  of  labor.  A  carpenter  was  secured 
who  boarded  a  week  with  each  of  the  above-named  persons.  So 
vigorously  was  the  work  pushed  that  in  three  weeks  and  one  day 
from  the  felling  of  the  first  timber  the  society  took  possession  of 
the  building.  The  plan  used  was  No.  i,  published  by  the  Church 
Extension  Society.  The  building  is  22x32  feet  with  ten-foot 
posts,  and  ceiled  on  the  inside.  Seats  were  extemporized  so  as  to 
give  immediate  use  of  the  building.  During  the  summer  some 
secondhand  connected  chair  seats  were  purchased,  cleaned,  and 
varnished,  and  the  building  seated  with  these.  The  building  was 
painted  on  the  outside  and  oiled  on  the  inside  by  willing  workers. 
The  church  is  valued  at  $800.  Materials  were  given  valued  at 
$80.62,  and  labor  was  donated  to  the  amount  of  $181.73.  The 
balance  was  provided  for  by  subscriptions. 

The  church  was  dedicated  on  November  20,  1901,  by  Rev.  J.  F. 
Warner,  who  preached  from  2  Cor.  iv,  7. 

Pocono  Lake  is  ten  miles  southeast  of  Thornhurst,  and  was 
known  as  Hauser's  Mills  many  years.    The  first  sermon  by  a 


682 


Wyoming  Conference 


Methodist  preacher  in  this  place  was  by  Rev.  D.  Larish  in  1868, 
and  was  at  the  funeral  of  Jonas  Hay's  child.  Soon  after  this 
services  were  started  in  the  schoolhouse,  recently  torn  down,  which 
stood  on  the  present  school  ground  and  a  little  nearer  the  road 
than  the  present  schoolhouse.  Subsequently  the  Reformed  church 
was  used.  For  a  short  time  prior  to  1894  services  were  discon- 
tinued. In  October,  1894,  services  were  resumed  in  the  Reformed 
church.  Meetings  itinerated  for  a  few  years.  The  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 
hall,  a  room  over  F.  C.  Miller's  store,  Mrs.  Smiley's  house,  I.  J. 
Angle's  house,  and  a  room  in  F.  C.  Miller's  boarding  house  were 
all  used  before  going  into  the  church.  The  site  for  the  church 
was  deeded  as  a  gift  to  the  society  in  August,  1901,  by  Charles 
Greavle.  The  church  cost  $2,100,  and  was  dedicated  on  August 
31,  1902,  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner,  who  preached  in  the  morning  from 
2  Cor.  ix,  15.  The  evening  sermon  was  by  Rev.  J.  N.  bleaker 
from  Isa.  xi,  11.  Mr.  Joseph  W.  Powell  managed  the  finances. 
A  balance  of  $700  was  asked  (in  exact  figures  $631)  and  received. 
An  Epworth  League  of  thirty-four  members  and  a  Junior  League 
of  sixteen  members  were  organized  during  the  day.  At  the  even- 
ing service  there  were  a  number  of  conversions  and  twenty-five 
persons  received  into  the  church  on  probation  and  by  letter. 

Pastorates 

(Stoddartsville)  1853,  W.  C.  Morse;  1854,  ;  1855-56,  J.  S. 

I.ewis;  1857,  J.  A.  Baldwin;  1858,  John  L.  Staples;  1859-60,  J.  G. 
Eckman;  1861,  W.  H.  Ware;  1862-63,  S.  F.  Wright;  1864,  C. 
:\Ialsbury ;  1865-66,  J.  C.  Leacock;  1867,  J.  D.  WoodruflF;  1868-70, 
D.  Larish;  1871-72,  J.  H.  Paddock;  1873-75,  P.  M.  Mott;  1876-77, 
P.  Houck;  1878-80,  R.  C.  Gill;  1881-83,  D.  G.  Stephens;  1884, 
James  Jones;  1885-86,  W.  Frisby;  1887,  S.  ]\Iorris ;  1888-90,  John 

Davy;  1891-93,   ;  1894-95,  T.  Vaughn;  1896-97,  A.  O. 

Williams;  1898-1900,  J.  N.  Meaker  (in  1900  name  of  charge  be- 
came Thornhurst)  ;  1901,  L.  D.  Tyler;  1902,  G.  W.  Craig;  1903, 
W.  B.  Signor. 

Uniondale  and  Dundaff,  Pa. 

Services  w^ere  held  at  L^niondale  as  early  as  1850,  but  what- 
ever may  have  existed  at  that  time  seems  to  have  been  scattered. 
Rev.  George  Leach  writes  of  having  an  appointment  here  while 
he  was  on  the  Dundaff  Circuit  in  1850-51.  In  the  fall  of  1876 
a  class  was  organized  here  containing  seven  members — Isaac  T. 
Curtis  and  wife  and  members  of  the  Westgate  family.  The  pas- 
tor of  Herrick  Center  preached  here  infrequently.    In  1878  some 


Uniondale,  Pa. 


683 


services  were  held  in  the  school,  but  the  Herrick  Center  pastor 
did  not  find  the  soil  easily  cultivated,  and  ceased  to  visit  the  place. 
Shortly  after  this  a  local  preacher.  Rev.  P.  J.  Gates,  preached  a 
while,  and  in  the  fall  when  he  left  the  society  had  eleven  mem- 
bers. In  the  spring  of  1879  Rev.  R.  P.  Christopher  moved  to 
Dundaff.  He  was  appointed  by  the  presiding  elder  to  work  at 
Uniondale.  He  held  his  services  in  the  new  schoolhouse  every 
Sunday  morning.  Audiences  grew.  On  Sunday,  June  15,  1879, 
three  were  received  by  letter  and  three  from  probation,  making 
the  membership  of  the  class  seventeen. 

At  the  Quarterly  Conference  held  at  Lyon  Street  on  July  26, 
1879,  Uniondale,  Lyon  Street,  and  Darte's  Corners  were  set  off 
from  the  Herrick  Center  charge,  and  made  an  appointment.  The 
old  school  building  was  purchased,  moved,  fitted  up  for  church 
work,  and  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft,  on  September  10, 
1879.  A  revival  followed  the  opening  of  this  church,  which  gave 
the  society  forty-six  probationers  on  October  12,  1879. 

The  Conference  of  1880  put  Uniondale  with  Clifford,  Rev. 
G.  M.  Peck  and  Rev.  R.  P.  Christopher  being  the  pastors.  At  the 
first  Quarterly  Conference,  held  at  Clifford  on  May  20,  1880, 
the  charge  was  divided,  making  Uniondale,  Dundaff,  Lyon  Street, 
and  Darte's  Corners  a  charge,  with  R.  P.  Christopher  pastor. 

On  November  19,  1884,  the  society  became  incorporate,  with 
William  Anderson,  Israel  Rounds,  W.  N.  Norton,  Israel  T.  Cur- 
tis, Maurice  O.  Rounds,  C.  W.  Todd,  and  Albert  Cory  trustees. 

The  growth  of  the  society  rendered  a  new  church  necessary. 
The  Quarterly  Conference  of  March  11,  1889,  appointed  a  build- 
ing committee.  A  lot  costing  $200  was  purchased,  and  on  June  9, 
1890,  the  corner  stone  of  the  present  church  was  laid.  The  build- 
ing cost  $3,248,  and  was  dedicated  on  January  22,  1891,  Rev. 
William  Searls  preaching  and  conducting  the  finances.  During 
the  day  $1,748  was  raised.  Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner  conducted  the 
dedicatory  services. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1882,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,  and  it 
was  enlarged  in  1887.   The  barn  was  built  in  1883. 

Lyon  Street  is  three  miles  west  of  Uniondale.  A  class  was 
formed  in  the  Kent  Settlement  in  1810,  which  lasted  but  a  few 
years.  In  1830  Rev.  V.  M.  Coryell  formed  a  class,  which  was 
the  beginning  of  the  present  society.  Its  members  belonged  to 
the  Lyon,  Kent,  and  Giddings  families.  This  was  the  native 
place  of  Rev.  C.  W.  Giddings,  for  a  number  of  years  a  member 
of  this  Conference.  We  quote  from  a  letter  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Leach : 


684 


Wyoming  Conference 


'Tor  about  thirty  years  these  meetings  were  held  in  two  school- 
houses,  neither  of  which  was  conveniently  located.  Arrange- 
ments were  made  for  building  a  meetinghouse  in  a  suitable  loca- 
tion. The  foundation  was  laid  and  the  timber  for  the  frame 
brought  to  the  site,  but  owing  to  some  church  difficulty  the  enter- 
prise was  abandoned  and  the  dilapidated  wall  and  decayed  timber, 
when  I  came  to  the  circuit  (Dundaff,  1850),  presented  a  melan- 
choly evidence  of  what  might  have  been.  A  revival  had,  with 
other  good  results,  the  effect  of  making  a  meetinghouse  desirable, 
but  some  were  unwilling  to  build  on  the  old  location,  and  a  less 
centrally  located  lot  was  purchased.  But  one  of  our  converts,  an 
ambitious  man,  who  had  united  with  the  Freewill  Baptist  Church, 
bought  a  lot  on  an  adjoining  farm  and,  with  the  help  of  a  few 
others,  built  a  house  of  worship  for  that  denomination  so  close 
to  the  site  of  our  contemplated  church  that  we  relinquished  the 
place,  and,  with  the  approval  of  those  who  before  objected  to  the 
old  location,  we  found  ourselves  able  to  erect  a  better  building 
than  we  had  made  arrangements  for.  The  rival  building  did  not 
compare  favorably  with  ours,  and,  according  to  the  history  of 
our  county,  soon  ceased  to  be  used."  The  building  was  not  com- 
pleted during  Mr.  Leach's  pastorate,  1850-51,  but  was  soon  after- 
ward, and  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  March  2,  1853.  The  build- 
ing was  erected  mainly  through  the  efforts  of  Walter  Lyon,  his 
sons  Wheeler,  John,  and  Walter,  and  Carlton  Kent  and  Andrew 
Giddings. 

Darte's  Corners  is  five  miles  west  of  Uniondale  and  two  miles 
beyond  Lyon  Street.   This  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment. 

Dundaif.  About  1830  the  few  families  in  Dundaff  who  were 
Methodists  were  organized  into  a  class,  including  Horace  G. 
Phelps,  Benajah  P.  Bailey,  and  a  half  dozen  others  from  the 
Wilbur  and  King  families.  Preaching  services  in  those  days 
were  held  at  long  intervals,  and  the  schoolhouse  was  the  church. 
However,  this  new  sect  was  not  allowed  the  use  of  the  school- 
house  long.  They  tried  to  buy  a  site  for  a  church,  but  could  not. 
Dilton  Yarrington,  a  very  kind-hearted  man,  said  he  would  give 
the  back  part  of  his  garden  for  a  site,  and  ground  for  an  alley, 
so  that  it  might  be  accessible.  Funds  were  secured  and  a  plain 
frame  church  erected.  Rev.  G.  W.  Leach  thought  this  building 
was  erected  in  1825.  Mr.  George  M.  Rogers  says  it  was  before 
1835,  and  the  county  history  says  it  was  in  1839.  Rogers 
writes  as  follows:  "In  1838  Lucian  Bennett  preached  here.  The 
abolition  question  came  up,  and  he  was  not  an  abolitionist.  An 


DuNDAt-F,  Pa. 


685 


abolition  speaker  came  here.  Most  of  the  leading  men  wished 
him  to  speak  in  the  church.  Mr.  B.  said  no.  They  insisted.  He 
barred  the  door  from  the  inside.  Mr.  Yarrington  crawled  in  a 
back  window  and  let  them  in.  This  caused  so  much  trouble  that 
Mr.  Yarrington  and  many  others  joined  the  Presbyterian 
Church." 

In  early  days  Dundaff  was  a  prosperous  village,  being  located 
on  an  important  turnpike  and  having  a  bank  and  some  manufac- 
turing enterprises. 

The  trustees  in  1839  were  Philip  I.  Stewart,  Stephen  Hodgson, 
Richard  Meredith,  William  H.  Slocum,  George  W.  Fish,  and 
William  Wilbur. 

Rev.  G.  W.  Leach  writes  that  in  1850  "the  village  members  con- 
sisted of  his  wife,  the  wife  of  Rev.  C.  Perkins,  and  two  other 
exemplary  ladies,  whose  principal  value  to  the  church  consisted  in 
their  good  example." 

In  1872  the  church  was  moved  to  a  lot  on  Main  Street  and 
thoroughly  repaired.  Mr.  Phinney  Ayres  gave  the  society  the 
lot  and  also  some  ground-glass  windows.  The  total  repairs  cost 
$500.  The  building  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead.  In 
1882  the  building  was  again  repaired,  at  a  cost  of  $600.  The  spire 
was  put  up  at  this  time,  and  a  bell  put  in — the  gift  of  Henry  O. 
Wilbur,  of  Philadelphia,  in  honor  of  his  parents,  William  and 
Arminda  Wilbur,  who  were  members  here  a  long  time. 

On  August  6,  1885,  the  society  was  incorporated,  with  R.  P. 
Christopher,  Thomas  Halstead,  William  Wilbur,  George  M.  Rog- 
ers, J.  H.  Littell,  Luther  Wells,  and  Henry  Sullender  trustees. 

In  1898  the  building  was  again  renovated,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 
The  auditorium  was  made  anew,  beautiful  windows  put  in,  floor 
carpeted,  and  new  furniture  bought.  It  was  rededicated  on 
Thursday,  May  26,  1898.  Rev.  G.  S.  Connell  preached  in  the 
morning;  in  the  afternoon  Rev.  W.  H.  Hiller  preached  his  599th 
sermon  to  that  people,  and  the  evening  sermon  was  by  M:  S. 
Hard,  D.D.,  who  managed  the  finances  of  the  day,  raising  $200. 

Dundaff  was  the  head  of  Dundaff  Circuit  from  1838  to  1865. 
(See  Clifford.)  From  1895  to  1902  it  was  segregated  from 
Uniondale  and  served  as  follows:  1895-97,  G.  S.  Connell;  1898, 
L.  D.  Tyler;  1899,  J.  W.  Worley;  1900,  L.  D.  Tyler;  1901,  M. 
Rivera;  1902,  P.  G.  Ruckman.  In  1903  it  was  put  back  with 
Uniondale. 

William  Wilbur  was  a  trustee  thirty  years.  George  M.  Rogers 
has  been  a  trustee  and  steward  twenty-five  years,  and  a  Sunday 
school  superintendent  seventeen  years. 


686 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1880-81,  R.  P.  Christopher;  1882-84,  C.  W.  Todd;  1885-86,  J. 
H.  Littell;  1887-91,  W.  H.  Hiller;  1892-92^^,  A.  Osborn; 
1892^^-94,  W.  L.  Linnaberry;  1895-96,  D.  Evans;  1897,  H.  G. 
Harned;  1898-1901,  A.  Eastman;  1902,  J.  G.  Raymond;  1903, 
W.  E.  Davis. 

Wallsville,  Pa. 

This  charge  was  known  as  North  Abington  from  its  organiza- 
tion in  1871  until  its  name  was  changed  to  Wallsville,  in  1901, 
and  in  its  early  days  formed  a  part  of  the  Abington  Circuit.  (See 
Waverly,  Pa.) 

The  class  at  Wallsville  was  formed  in  the  Aylesworth  school- 
house  about  1836,  and  the  society  worshiped  in  this  building  until 
the  church  was  built.  A  revival  in  December,  1836,  added  con- 
siderable strength  to  the  class. 

The  church,  which  cost  $1,600,  was  built  in  1862,  on  a  lot  which 
was  deeded  to  the  society  on  May  17,  1873,  by  Leonard  Hopfer 
and  wife  Caroline,  in  consideration  of  $10.  The  trustees  at  the 
time  of  this  transfer  were  Nathaniel  Decker,  Harrison  Hopfer, 
Leonard  Hopfer,  G.  C.  Kennedy,  George  Corey,  A.  R.  Weidman, 
and  John  J.  Knapp.   The  church  was  repaired  in  1896. 

The  society  became  incorporated  on  May  25,  1866,  as  "The 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  North  Abington,"  with  Leonard 
Hopfer,  George  W.  Corey,  Ira  Lewis,  Harrison  Hopfer,  Jere- 
miah D.  Knight,  G.  C.  Kennedy,  and  Nathaniel  Decker  trustees. 

In  1901  ninety-six  conversions  occurred  in  a  revival  at  this 
place. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1885  at  a  cost  of  $700.  A  debt  of 
$300  on  this  parsonage  was  paid  in  1890-91. 

Montdale,  Scott  Valley  or  Brown  Hollow,  is  about  six  miles 
east  of  Wallsville.  The  class  was  formed  here  in  1870,  with  fif- 
teen or  twenty  members,  and  worshiped  in  the  Baptist  church  and 
schoolhouse  prior  to  the  erection  of  the  church.  On  June  25, 
1874,  C.  E.  Vosburg  and  wife  Lydia,  in  consideration  of  $5, 
deeded  William  B.  Hierlihy,  Nathaniel  Decker,  A.  H.  Bedient, 
Jerome  Grosvenor,  Stephen  J.  Cook,  Leonard  Hopfer,  and  Har- 
rison Hopfer,  trustees,  three  quarters  of  an  acre  of  land.  The 
church  was  erected  on  this  lot  in  1875,  and  cost  $3,000.  It  was 
dedicated  Thursday,  November  4,  1875,  Rev.  William  Reddy 
preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon,  after  which  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman, 
who  preached  in  the  evening,  conducted  the  dedicatory  service. 


Waymart,  Pa. 


687 


A  total  of  $1,275  was  raised  during  the  day  to  liquidate  the 
indebtedness. 

The  society  became  incorporated  as  "The  Scott  Valley  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church"  on  May  2,  1898,  with  C.  L.  Clark,  A.  H. 
Bedient,  William  Stevens,  E.  Merritt,  and  G.  L.  Newton  trustees. 

The  sheds  were  built  in  1899. 

In  1900  one  hundred  and  five  conversions  occurred  at  this 
place. 

Franklin  Valley,  once  called  Benton,  is  three  miles  east  of 
Wallsville.  The  class  was  organized  in  1870,  and  worshiped  in 
a  schoolhouse  until  1885,  when  the  society  purchased  a  school- 
house  and  fitted  it  up  for  church  purposes,  at  a  cost  of  $300.  The 
lot  upon  which  it  stands  was  given  to  the  society  by  Warner  Fos- 
ter and  wife  Zilpha  M.,  the  deed  for  the  same  being  executed 
March  20,  1886. 

Carpenter  Schoolhouse  is  about  three  miles  southeast  from 
Wallsville.  This  class  was  organized  in  1886,  and  preaching 
services  are  held  biweekly. 

Pastorates 

1871-72,  S.  J.  Austin;  1873-75,  N.  J.  Hawley;  1876-78,  J.  B. 
Santee;  1879-80,  W.  J.  Hill;  1881,  W.  Edgar;  1882-83,  R.  P. 
Christopher;  1884-86,  F.  P.  Doty;  1887-89,  J.  R.  Allen;  1890-91, 
P.  Holbrook;  1892-95,  B.  N.  Butts;  1896-98,  E.  D.  Cavanaugh; 
1899-1903,  B.  R.  Hanton. 

Waymart,  Pa. 

We  find  the  origin  of  Methodism  in  Waymart  to  have  been  in 
the  work  at  Canaan  Four  Corners,  about  a  mile  from  the  village 
of  Waymart.  The  class  at  Canaan  Corners  was  organized  at  an 
early  day,  and  formed  a  part  of  the  Canaan  Circuit.  On  Septem- 
ber 21,  1830,  the  society  was  incorporated,  with  Charles  Stanton, 
Stephen  Blatchley,  William  Stanton,  Thomas  Clark,  Thomas 
Starkweather,  William  M.  Grifiin,  Zear  Bunnell,  Charles  A. 
Cortright,  and  Horace  Lee  trustees.  This  array  of  trustees  be- 
tokens a  vigorous  class.  The  church  at  the  Corners  was  built  in 
1834,  on  land  donated  by  Thomas  Starkweather.  The  building 
was  moved  to  Steene  in  later  years.    (See  Steene.) 

A  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  a  log  schoolhouse  at  the 
Corners  in  1819,  by  Vene  Lee  and  his  wife  Polly.  This  couple 
became  widely  known  as  Father  and  Mother  Lee.  Mother  Lee, 
especially,  was  known  over  a  wide  section  of  territory  as  an  ex- 


688 


Wyoming  Conference 


ceptionally  pious  woman,  powerful  in  prayer  and  exhortation. 
An  incident  in  connection  with  this  Sunday  school  is  worth  pre- 
serving. A  Ladies'  Aid  Society  in  Philadelphia  offered  a  prize 
of  a  Bible  and  hymn  book  to  the  scholar  in  the  school  who  would 
commit  to  memory  the  largest  portion  of  the  New  Testament. 
Moses  Swingle,  commonly  called  ''Redheaded  Mose/'  who  lived 
six  miles  away,  started  in  to  win  the  prize.  Abigail  Frisby,  a 
stripling  of  a  girl,  was  more  than  his  equal,  and  won  the  prize. 


WAYMART  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


learning  from  the  first  of  Matthew  to  the  eighth  chapter  of  John, 
and  reciting  the  same.  She  afterward  moved  to  Ohio,  and  at 
eighty-two  years  of  age  could  repeat  the  Scripture  she  learned  in 
this  contest. 

William  Griffin,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Lee,  who  received  local 
preacher's  license  about  1822,  lived  at  the  Corners.  He  was  a 
cabinetmaker  by  trade,  and  made  coffins  out  of  the  native  woods. 
It  was  not  uncommon  for  him  to  act  as  both  undertaker  and  min- 
ister at  a  funeral  service.   He  was  a  very  useful  local  preacher. 

When  Waymart  promised  to  become  the  center  of  population 
and  business  interest  the  society  secured  the  use  of  the  Presby- 


Waymart,  Pa. 


689 


terian  church  in  the  village,  and  held  services  therein  until  a  mis- 
understanding arose  concerning  the  joint  occupancy  of  the  build- 
ing. The  Methodists  appointed  Thomas  Thomas  and  the 
Presbyterians  Oscar  Hudson  to  adjust  matters.  They  met  and 
agreed  upon  terms  of  settlement.  The  Presbyterian  society, 
however,  rejected  the  settlement,  and  on  April  10,  1850,  the  Meth- 
odists decided  to  build,  and  appointed  the  following  building 
committee :  Thomas  Thomas,  James  Carr,  Emmons  Eaton,  Asa 
W.  Dimmick,  and  William  Bayley. 

On  March  3,  1856,  Roswell  P.  Patterson  and  wife  deeded  the 
lot  upon  which  the  church  stands  to  the  society  for  $25.  The 
church,  which  cost  $1,770,  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  Novem- 
ber 12,  1856,  Rev.  George  Landon  preaching  in  the  morning  and 
Rev.  Reuben  Nelson  in  the  evening. 

The  society  became  incorporated  on  September  i,  1869,  with 
John  Lee,  Elbert  Stone,  Richard  Kellow,  Hubbard  Rounds,  Robert 
Weed,  Asa  Dimmick,  and  William  McMullen  trustees. 

The  sum  of  $1,019  was  expended  in  improving  the  church  in 
1896.  The  repairs  consisted  in  an  arched  pine  ceiling,  new  win- 
dows and  frames,  new  wainscoting,  and  new  pews. 

On, September  10,  1832,  Stephen  Blatchley  and  wife  deeded 
to  the  trustees  of  Canaan  Circuit  a  parsonage  property,  as  a  gift, 
which  was  located  on  the  Belmont  and  Easton  turnpike,  on  the 
border  of  Waymart.  A  new  house  has  replaced  the  old  one,  and 
the  property  is  now  owned  by  E.  E.  Weed.  When  Canaan  Circuit 
was  served  by  two  preachers  one  lived  here  and  the  other  at 
Salem. 

The  first  parsonage  in  Waymart  was  purchased  of  Thomas 
Clark,  about  1858,  and  is  located  on  the  Belmont  and  Easton 
turnpike  near  Mr.  Wannacot's.  It  was  sold  to  John  Fobes  about 
the  time  the  property  was  purchased  of  Mr.  Williams. 

The  second  parsonage  was  purchased  of  William  H.  Williams, 
on  September  28,  1870,  for  $1,500.  This  was  located  forty  or 
fifty  rods  beyond  the  present  parsonage,  on  the  left-hand  side  of 
the  road,  toward  South  Canaan.  At  the  purchase  of  this  prop- 
erty the  trustees  gave  their  notes.  On  June  22  and  23,  1872, 
Rev.  S.  W.  Weiss  was  with  the  Waymart  people  by  invitation. 
He  preached  morning  and  evening.  At  the  morning  service 
$1,700  was  raised,  and  in  the  evening  $300.  This  amount  met  the 
notes,  accrued  interest,  and  some  minor  matters.  This  property 
was  sold  to  Mortimer  Tuthill  on  October  29,  1894,  for  $510. 

The  present  parsonage  was  built  in  1894,  upon  land  bought  of 
Mr.  R.  P.  Patterson  for  $150.   To  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  made 

44 


690 


Wyoming  Conference 


to  Mr.  Tuthill  were  added  $1,171.86  to  defray  the  cost  of  this 
house  and  lot. 

Mr.  George  Starkweather,  son  of  Thomas  Starkweather,  is 
now  hving  at  Waymart,  and  has  made  a  phenomenal  record.  He 
began  attending  Sunday  school  in  the  schoolhouse  at  Canaan  Cor- 
ners on  April  13,  1828,  and  has  been  a  Sunday  school  worker  ever 
since.  For  a  while  he  taught  a  class  of  boys  in  the  Waymart 
Sunday  school.  In  1869  he  was  elected  secretary  of  the  school, 
and  has  served  in  that  office  until  the  present  time. 

Steene  is  about  four  miles  below  Waymart,  and  was  known  as 
No.  4  many  years,  subsequently  No.  16.  When  the  gravity  road 
was  changed  to  a  steam  road  the  name  was  changed  to  Steene. 
After  worshiping  in  a  schoolhouse  a  number  of  years  the  society 
secured  the  old  church  at  Canaan  Corners  and  moved  it  to  a  lot, 
donated  by  Mr.  Emmons  Eaton,  in  1859.  The  deed,  however, 
was  not  executed  until  April  5,  1865.  The  trustees  at  this  time 
were  Emmons  Eaton,  Abraham  Lewis,  James  Pierce,  Caleb  Perry, 
and  P.  W.  Potter.  The  society  was  incorporated  on  April  20, 
1870,  as  "The  Eaton  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  with  William 
Pentecost,  George  Aunger,  Morris  Cole,  Emmons  Eaton,  and 
Walter  Penwarden  trustees.  Rev.  William  Wyatt  dedicated  this 
church  in  1859. 

Pastorates 

1858-59,  C.  L.  Rice;  i860,  A.  Brigham ;  1861-62,  H.  Wheeler; 
1863-64,  J.  Madison;  1865-66,  C.  L.  Rice;  1867-69,  George  C. 
Hart;  1870,  J.  L.  Race;  1871,  G.  Westfall ;  1872-74,  R.  J.  Kel- 
logg; 1875,  S.  F.  Wright;  1876-78,  F.  Gendall ;  1879,  J.  F.  War- 
ner; 1880-81,  J.  Madison;  1882-83,  L.  Cole;  1884-85,  S.  Homan ; 
1886-89,  A.  F.  Brown;  1890-91,  A.  C.  Olver;  1892,  W.  Raw- 
lings;  1893,  C.  W.  Todd;  1894-98,  G.  H.  Prentice;  1899-1901, 
L.  W.  Karschner ;  1902-03,  Thomas  Eva. 


Afton,  N.  Y. 


691 


CHAPTER  XIV 
ONEONTA  DISTRICT 
Afton,  N.  Y. 

Union  Valley,  North  Afton  (Ayreshire),  and  Afton  (South 
Bainbridge)  formed  a  part  of  the  old  Bainbridge  Circuit  until 
formed  into  a  charge  in  1858  bearing  the  name  of  South  Bain- 
bridge. It  took  the  name  of  Afton  in  1859.  Union  Valley  re- 
mained a  part  of  Afton  charge  until  1876,  when  it  was  put  with 
Bainbridge. 

We  are  unable  to  give  the  circumstances  connected  with  the 
formation  of  the  class  at  Afton,  and  any  date  we  might  mention 
would  be  conjectural.  The  society  held  services  in  the  village 
schoolhouse .  prior  to  going  into  the  church,  and  became  incor- 
porated at  a  meeting  held  in  the  schoolhouse  on  November  24, 
185 1.  Jesse  C.  Flagg  and  Dorr  Stowell  presided,  and  Dorr  Sto- 
well,  Charles  W.  Griswold,  Samuel  C.  Bump,  Luman  C.  Pollard, 
and  Isaac  Furgason  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  First  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Society  of  South  Bainbridge."  On  April  12,  1852, 
Damaris  Garrett  deeded  the  society  forty-four  rods  of  land,  in 
consideration  of  $150.  The  church  was  built  on  this  lot,  at  a 
cost  of  $1,500,  and  was  dedicated  in  September,  1852,  by  Rev. 
William  Reddy.  This  church  was  thoroughly  remodeled  in  1880. 
One  thousand  dollars  was  spent  in  building  an  alcove  back  of  the 
pulpit,  reseating  the  auditorium,  and  changing  the  entrances  to 
the  building.  At  this  time  Mr.  George  Knight  presented  the 
church  with  a  bell.  In  1899  the  building  was  thoroughly  rebuilt. 
The  tower,  and  an  addition  to  the  left  of  the  building,  15x52  feet, 
were  built.  The  addition  can  be  opened  so  as  to  add  to  the  seat- 
ing capacity  of  the  auditorium  when  needed,  and  also  serves  for 
social  purposes.  The  walls  were  substantially  repaired  and  an 
excavation  made  to  hold  a  furnace.  The  pulpit  was  placed  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  auditorium,  which  was  seated  with  cir- 
cular pews,  wainscoted,  walls  papered  and  decorated.  Stained- 
glass  windows  replaced  the  old  ones,  the  floor  was  carpeted,  and 
the  room  lighted  with  gas.  These,  with  some  minor  improve- 
ments, cost  $1,906.34.  The  church  was  reopened  on  Thursday, 
January  11,  1900.  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  conducted  a  love  feast 
at  10:30,  after  which  Rev.  T.  F.  Hall  preached  a  sermon  on  the 


692 


Wyoming  Conference 


theme,  ''A  Good  Foundation."  In  the  afternoon  Dr.  Hard 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  from  Isa.  xxxv,  8-10.  Following 
the  sermon,  $618.46  was  raised.  The  service  closed  with  the  ded- 
icatory service,  which  was  conducted  by  Rev.  T.  F.  Hall.  In  the 
evening  Rev.  A.  W.  Hayes,  D.D.,  preached  from  'Tt  is  finished." 

The  first  parsonage  was  purchased  of  Lyman  Lesuer,  on  March 
9,  1865,  for  $1,450.  It  was  located  on  Spring  Street,  a  couple  of 
blocks  above  the  church,  and  was  sold  to  Truman  Green  in  1893. 
On  April  28,  1894,  the  society  secured  a  property  on  Pleasant 
Street  for  $2,250,  from  Mary  E.  Barrett.  This  was  used  until 
going  into  the  present  house,  in  the  fall  of  1901.  The  lot  on 
which  the  parsonage  now  stands  was  secured  by  deed  from  Lo- 


AFTON  CHURCH 


villa  Stewart,  on  April  3,  1895,  for  $500.  On  this  a  house  and 
barn  were  built  in  1901,  costing  about  $2,200,  most  of  which  was 
provided  for  in  the  sale  of  the  Pleasant  Street  property. 

North  Afton  is  about  two  miles  above  Afton.  That  the  class 
was  vigorous  at  an  early  day  is  evidenced  from  the  fact  that  the 
society  was  incorporated  on  February  17,  1829,  at  a  meeting  held 
in  the  storehouse  of  Benjamin  Jacobs,  taking  the  corporate  name 
of  "The  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  Congre- 
gation in  Newton  Hollow,"  in  the  west  part  of  the  town  of  Bain- 
bridge.  The  first  trustees  were  Cooley  Wilkins,  Charles  Curtis, 
Lewis  Weeks,  Thomas  Newton,  Peter  Bridgman.  By  failure  to 
elect  trustees  the  charter  became  invalid.  Accordingly,  the  so- 
ciety met  at  the  chapel  on  September  10,  1833,  and  incorporated 


North  Afton,  N.  Y. 


693 


again  as  'The  West  Bainbridge  Methodist  Episcopal  Church." 
Edward  Z.  Hyde  and  Reuben  Reynolds  presided  at  this  meeting, 
and  Dana  Post,  Button  Stowell,  William  Cleveland,  Wesley 
Cleveland,  and  Edward  Z.  Hyde  were  elected  trustees.  The  house 
of  worship  was  erected  in  1829,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  This  society 
was  one  of  the  earliest  formed  on  the  old  Bainbridge  Circuit.  This 
house  stood  just  off  the  main  road,  on  the  road  leading  from 
North  Afton  to  Coventry,  and  but  a  little  ways  from  the  corner. 
The  lot  on  which  the  present  church  stands  was  secured  by  deed 
from  George  F.  Hard  and  wife  Mary,  and  Daniel  S.  Hyde  and 
wife  Vitella,  on  January  29,  1864,  for  $100.  The  trustees  at  this 
time  were  Joseph  H.  Fletcher,  Abijah  Cornell,  and  William  Kel- 
ley.  The  church  was  built  about  this  time.  The  building  was 
repaired  in  1873,  at  a  cost  of  $1,200,  and  in  1897  was  completely 
renovated,  at  an  expense  of  $800. 

Russell  Hill  was  supplied  with  preaching  from  Afton  for  some 
years. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  at  Afton  and  North  Afton  have  been 
important  factors  in  work  at  both  places. 

The  charge  has  experienced  many  revival  seasons. 

Some  old-time  camp  meetings  were  held  in  a  grove  midway 
between  Afton  and  North  Afton,  owned  by  Elijah  and  Chauncey 
Hyde,  later  owned  by  Mr.  Mahew  and  Mr.  Balcolm.  Meetings 
were  held  a  couple  of  years,  1845  and  1846,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  creek,  and  subsequently  several  years  on  the  east  side  of  the 
creek.   The  meeting  of  1850  was  one  of  especial  power. 

Pastorates 

1858-59,  J.  W.  Mitchell;  1860-61,  W.  G.  Queal ;  1862-63,  L. 
Bowdish;  1864-66,  B.  H.  Brown;  1867-69,  W.  W.  Andrews; 
1870-72,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1873-75,  T.  P.  Halstead ;  1876-77,  H.  N. 
Van  Deusen;  1878-79,  N.  J.  Hawley ;  1880-82,  J.  F.  Williams; 
1883-84,  A.  F.  Chaffee;  1885-86,  A.  J.  Cook;  1887-91,  N.  B.  Rip- 
ley; 1892,  C.  D.  Shepard:  1893-95,  C.  B.  Personeus ;  1896-98, 
J.  L.  Thomas;  1899-1902,  C.  E.  Sweet;  1903,  E.  L.  Jeffrey. 

Bainbridge,  N.  Y. 

The  beginning  of  Methodism  in  the  town  of  Bainbridge  was  at 
Searles  Hill,  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  township,  and  about 
1 810.  The  class  was  organized,  and  preaching  services  held  in 
the  log  house  of  Abner  Searles.  Soon  after  this  a  schoolhouse 
was  built  on  Searles  Hill,  when  the  society  went  there  with  its 
services. 


694 


Wyoming  Conference 


Methodism  was  introduced  to  Bainbridge  village  by  Charles 
Curtis,  who  began  holding  services  irregularly  in  1816,  using  any 
place  he  could  secure  to  hold  them  in. 

"The  First  Episcopal  Methodist  Society  of  the  Town  of  Bain- 
bridge" was  incorporated  on  ^larch  25,  1816,  with  Samuel  Banks, 
Israel  Stowell,  and  William  Banks  trustees.  The  next  incor- 
poration was  on  February  11,  1833.  Charles  Curtis  and  Reuben 
Reynolds  presided  at  the  meeting,  and  Charles  Curtis,  William 


BAINBRIDGE  OLD  CHURCH 


Banks,  David  Scott,  John  Xewton,  Joseph  Badger,  and  Ambrose 
Lyon  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  North  Bainbridge  Society  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church."  The  society  was  again  incor- 
porated on  June  i,  1853.  Charles  Curtis  and  Levi  Scott  presided 
over  the  meeting,  and  Ansel  Phinney,  Charles  Curtis,  and  Leroy 
Scott  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  North  Bainbridge  Milage 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church." 

The  society  began  to  agitate  the  building  of  a  church  in  1825, 
but  five  years  passed  before  the  building  began  to  materialize. 
"The  first  stick  of  timber  drawn  for  the  church  was  given  by 
Samuel  Carpenter,  who  lived  near  what  is  now  Afton  Lake. 


Bainbridge,  N.  Y. 


695 


Nearly  all  of  the  lumber  entering  into  the  construction  was  do- 
nated, as  was  also  much  of  the  manual  labor — working  at  odd 
times,  several  one  day,  none  the  next.  It  was  July,  1830,  before 
the  frame  was  ready  to  raise.  This  was  to  the  people  of  those 
days  what  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  modern  edifices  is  to 
present-day  gatherings,  except  that  it  called  for  more  hard  work 
and  danger.  The  raising  of  the  main  portion  of  the  church  was 
accomplished  without  difficulty,  but  when  the  framework  for  the 
steeple  was  being  placed  in  position  one  of  the  main  supports 
fell,  precipitating  a  dozen  men  into  the  basement  amid  the  falling 
timbers.  Four  were  seriously  hurt,  Briggs  Lyon,  who  lived  a 
mile  or  two  west  of  the  village,  being  the  most  seriously  injured. 
His  fractures  and  bruises  were  so  severe  that  it  was  necessary 
to  improvise  a  litter  to  carry  him  home,  there  not  being  the  spring- 
wagons  and  good  roads  of  the  present  day.  On  the  shoulders  of 
four  men,  who  were  frequently  relieved  by  their  companions,  the 
wounded  man  left  the  labor  of  love  to  return  to  his  home.  He 
lived  for  several  years,  but  never  fully  recovered  his  health.  The 
other  three  who  were  injured  were  Alson  Searles,  of  Searles 
Hill,  Rufus  Burlingame,  of  Afton,  and  Ephraim  Bixby,  of 
Bainbridge. 

"This  accident  naturally  delayed  the  work  of  construction,  and 
it  was  not  until  late  in  the  fall  that  the  building  was  ready  for 
occupancy.  Even  then  it  had  no  arrangement  for  heating,  and 
when  services  were  held  during  the  ensuing  winter  small  indi- 
vidual foot  stoves  were  used,  such  as  were  common  in  those  times, 
in  which  fire  was  made.  The  interior  of  the  church  was  of  the 
style  of  the  day,  having  a  high  pulpit  and  galleries  on  three  sides. 
The  building  was  without  paint,  either  outside  or  in,  and  no 
changes  were  made  except  by  the  elements  until  1853." 

The  lot  on  Evans  Street,  upon  which  the  old  church  stands, 
was  deeded  to  the  society  on  May  4,  1854,  by  Charles  Curtis  and 
wife  Permelia,  in  consideration  of  $400. 

In  1865-66  radical  and  extensive  repairs  were  made  on  the 
building.  The  galleries  were  torn  out,  the  old  pulpit  cast  aside, 
an  addition  built  on  the  rear,  and  the  steeple  enlarged,  making 
the  building  more  modern.  Mr.  William  Cooley,  of  Yaleville, 
had  the  contract  for  the  work,  which  cost  $4,000.  The  church 
was  reopened  on  Thursday,  March  i,  1866,  Rev.  William  Searls 
preaching  in  the  rriorning  and  Rev.  William  Bixby  in  the  even- 
ing.  The  sum  of  $1,500  was  raised  during  the  day. 

In  1874  some  minor  changes  were  made,  chief  of  which  was 
the  change  in  location  of  the  choir.    It  was  removed  from  near 


696 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  entrance  and  placed  on  the  left  side  of  the  pulpit.  Gaylord 
S.  Graves  served  as  choir  leader  thirty  years. 

In  1890  $1,300  was  spent  in  changing  the  plan  of  seating, 
making  two  aisles  and  two  entrances,  papering  and  painting  the 
building. 

The  site  for  the  present  church  was  deeded  to  the  society  on 
October  14,  1898,  by  Mrs.  Dr.  Copley,  for  $1,200.  The  corner 
stone  was  laid  on  August  23,  1902,  by  Rev.  T.  F.  Hall,  D.D.,  and 
Rev.  J.  S.  Crompton.  Addresses  were  made  by  Revs.  T.  F.  Hall, 
C.  E.  Sweet,  A.  R.  Burke,  C.  M.  Olmstead,  and  J.  S.  Crompton. 
The  stone  contained  the  following:   Bible,  Hymnal,  Discipline, 


BAINBRIDGE  NEW  CHURCH 


Conference  ^linutes,  Epworth  League  Year  Book,  New  York 
Advocate,  Northern  Advocate,  Epzvorth  Herald,  Bainbridge  Re- 
publican and  Express,  Lesson  Quarterly,  League  Topic  Card, 
lists  of  officers  and  members  of  the  Senior  and  Junior  Leagues 
and  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  an  historical  sketch  of  the 
church. 

The  building,  including  organ  $1,000,  bell  $200,  seating  and 
other  furnishings,  cost  $10,000.  The  windows  are  all  memorial. 
The  Epworth  League  bought  the  organ,  and  the  Ladies'  Aid 
Society  raised  about  as  much  money  for  the  project. 

The  building  was  dedicated  on  Friday,  ^lay  8.  1903,  Rev. 
John  Krantz,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morning  from  Psa.  xxxi,  8, 
and  managing  the  finances  of  the  day.    In  the  afternoon  Rev, 


Union  Valley,  N.  Y. 


697 


Edgar  Brown,  D.D.,  preached  from  Mark  ii,  3.  The  evening 
service  was  a  platform  service  addressed  by  pastors  of  the  local 
churches  and  visiting  clergymen,  and  closed  with  the  dedicatory 
service,  conducted  by  Rev.  T.  F.  Hall,  D.D. 

When  Bainbridge  appeared  among  the  appointments  in  1822 
it  was  a  circuit  of  considerable  dimensions.  About  1830  it  in- 
cluded North  Bainbridge  (Bainbridge),  East  Guilford,  Searles 
Hill,  Turnpike  (now  West  Bainbridge),  Coventry,  Coventry- 
ville.  South  Bainbridge  (Afton),  Nineveh,  Harpursville,  Wind- 
sor, Vallonia  Springs,  Lanesboro,  Page  Brook,  Perch  Pond, 
Melondy  Hill,  Sanford,  Masonville,  Sidney,  and  numerous  small 
schoolhouse  appointments.  In  1841-42  the  circuit  included  North 
Bainbridge,  Ireland's  Schoolhouse,  Searles  Hill  Schoolhouse, 
Coventry  (church).  West  Bainbridge  (church).  South  Bain- 
bridge Schoolhouse,  East  Masonville  Schoolhouse,  Masonville 
Schoolhouse,  Log  Schoolhouse,  Tompkins  Schoolhouse,  Me- 
londy Hill  Schoolhouse,  Morse  Schoolhouse,  Plains  Schoolhouse, 
and  North  Windsor  Schoolhouse.  The  parsonage  was  at  Mason- 
ville.   Bainbridge  subsequently  became  the  home  of  the  pastor. 

In  1833  Rev.  Reuben  Reynolds  was  one  of  the  preachers  on 
the  circuit.  He  was  hired  by  the  bridge  company  to  keep  the 
tollhouse,  for  which  he  received  one  dollar  per  week.  His  family 
did  the  work  while  he  was  absent  on  the  circuit. 

Searles  Hill  continued  to  be  an  appointment  until  its  absorp- 
tion in  Union  Valley  in  1852. 

The  parsonage  lot  was  bought  of  Nelson  Humphrey  in  1883 
for  $900,  and  the  parsonage  erected  the  same  year  at  a  cost 
of  $1,600. 

In  1842  there  were  two  hundred  conversions  on  the  circuit, 
and  in  185 1  there  were  three  hundred. 

In  1892  an  $800  debt  of  nine  years'  standing  was  paid. 

Union  Valley  receives  its  name  from  the  fact  that  the  societies 
at  Searles  Hill,  Turnpike,  and  the  Bush  Settlement  united  to 
form  this  church.  On  March  9,  1852,  the  members  of  the  north- 
west part  of  Bainbridge  Circuit  met  at  the  house  of  Peleg  Ferris 
for  the  purpose  of  incorporation.  Lyman  J.  Bush  and  John  H. 
Post  presided.  Samuel  H.  Bush,  Nelson  Ireland,  John  H.  Post, 
Lyman  J.  Bush,  and  George  Blanchard  were  elected  trustees  of 
"The  Union  Valley  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Bainbridge." 

On  November  11,  1850,  in  consideration  of  $1,  Job  Ireland  and 
his  wife  Ursula  deeded  the  society  one  fourth  acre  of  land,  upon 
which  the  church  was  built  in  1852  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.    It  was 


698 


Wyoming  Conference 


dedicated  by  Rev.  William  Reddy  some  time  in  1853.  On  Sep- 
tember 26,  i860,  Philander  Loomis  and  wife  Phoebe  sold  the  so- 
ciety nine  and  one  third  rods  of  land  adjoining  the  above  for 
$11.62,  and  on  November  7,  i860,  Job  Ireland  and  wife  sold  the 
society  twenty-one  rods  of  land  adjoining  the  first  purchase  for 
$26.25.  These  last  purchases  were  for  the  purpose  of  building 
sheds. 

From  the  time  of  the  formation  of  Afton  charge  until  1876 
Union  \'alley  formed  a  part  of  Afton  charge. 

Pastorates 

1822,  Joshua  Rogers;  1823,  John  Griffing;  1824,  Isaac  Grant, 
Elijah  King;  1825,  H.  G.  Warner,  Herota  Barnes;  1826,  Mark 
Preston,  Benjamin  Shipman ;  1827,  Henry  Peck,  George  Evans ; 
1828,  George  Evans,  R.  Lumry ;  1829,  J.  M.  Brooks,  M.  Ruger, 
1830,  J.  M.  Brooks,  E.  Colston;  1831,  Morgan  Ruger;  1832,  E. 
L.  Wadsworth;  1833,  C.  G.  Hapgood ;  1834,  D.  Fancher;  1835, 
R.  Ingalls,  D.  Fancher;  1836,  T.  D.  Wire,  S.  B.  Yarrington; 
1837,  T.  D.  Wire,  A.  D.  Burlingame;  1838,  A.  D.  Burlingame; 
1839,  J.  D.  Warren,  A.  Brown;  1840,  J.  D.  Warren,  F.  P.  Cleave- 
land;  1841-42,  Jacob  Brooker,  R.  S.  Rose;  1843,  P-  Bartlett, 
Benjamin  Ferris;  1844,  George  Evans,  B.  Ferris;  1845,  G. 
Evans,  Atchinson  Oueal ;  1846,  E.  P.  Beecher,  W.  G.  Queal ; 
1847-48,  E.  W.  Breckinridge,  A.  R.  Wells;  1849,  E.  P.  Beebe, 
W.  G.  Queal;  1850,  E.  P.  Beebe,  L.  D.  Brigham ;  1851,  E.  D. 
Thurston,  S.  S.  Weber;  1852,  E.  D.  Thurston,  B.  B.  Carruth ; 
1853,  R-  S.  Southworth:  1854,  F.  P.  Cleaveland,  R.  S.  South- 
worth;  1855,  H.  Halstead,  W.  Peck;  1856,  J.  Davis,  T.  J.  Bissell ; 
1857,  J.  Davis,  R.  Townsend;  1858,  T.  P.  Halstead;  1859-60, 
William  Southworth;  1861-62,  D.  L.  Pendell ;  1863-64,  L.  Sperry; 
1865,  A.  C.  Smith;  1866,  L.  Sperry;  1867-68,  L.  V.  Ismond ; 
1869-71,  A.  J.  Cook;  1872-73,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1874-75,  A.  B. 
Richardson;  1876-77,  X.  S.  Reynolds;  1878,  A.  F.  Brown; 
1879-81,  J.  Ryder;  1882-83,  J.  N.  Lee;  1884-85,  G.  A.  Place; 
1886-883^,  H.'  B.  Cook:  1888^^-90,  W.  T.  Blair;  1891-94,  T. 
F.  Hall;  1895-96,  E.  Kilpatrick;  1897-1900,  C.  H.  Sackett ; 
1901-03,  J.  S.  Crompton. 

COOPERSTOWN,  N.  Y. 

One  writer  states  that  Philip  Wager  and  Jonathan  Newman 
were  the  first  ^lethodist  preachers  to  preach  in  Cooperstown. 
It  might  be  a  fair  conjecture  that  these  men  who  were  on  Otsego 


COOPERSTOWN,  N.  Y. 


699 


Circuit  in  1791  reached  this  place  during  the  year.  However, 
this  is  simply  conjecture.  We  have  no  evidence  that  they  did. 
It  is  also  claimed  that  Cooperstown  supported  a  pastor  in  1795. 
This  is  highly  improbable,  as  the  class  in  1816  had  only  twenty 
members.  Further,  Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol,  who  was  pastor  here  in 
1838,  claimed  that  Methodism  was  introduced  to  Cooperstown  in  ^ 
1810  or  1812. 

The  following  were  members  in  these  early  days :  Amos  Berry, 
P.  Butts,  George  Roberts,  Daniel  McLeland,  Joseph  Perkins  and 


wife,  Asher  Campbell,  Justus  Hinman,  B.  Eaton,  Ezra  Crane  and 
wife,  Andrew  Petty  and  wife,  Benjamin  Allen  and  wife,  Mr. 
Potter  and  wife,  A.  Jarvis,  and  H.  Knowlton. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  society  held  in  the  schoolhouse  on  October 
22,  1816,  at  which  Rev.  Seth  Mattison  and  Daniel  McLeland  pre- 
sided the  society  became  incorporated  as  "The  First  Incorporated 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Cooperstown," 
George  Roberts,  Daniel  McLeland,  Asher  Canfield,  Joseph  Per- 
kins, and  Justus  Hinman  were  elected  trustees. 

Meetings  were  held  in  the  courthouse,  schoolhouse,  and  private 


COOPERSTOWN  OLD  CHURCH 


yoo  Wyoming  Conference 

dwellings  until  i8i9,when  a  church, 35x45,  with  fifteen-foot  posts, 
and  no  tower  or  steeple,  was  erected  on  a  building  lot  donated  by 
James  Averell  and  wife  Marcy.  This  lot  contained  one  rood  or 
thirty  perches  and  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Chestnut  Street 
about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  above  the  corner  of  the 
present  church  lot  on  the  corner  of  Chestnut  Street  and  Glenn 
Avenue.  It  was  ultimately  absorbed  in  the  lot  occupied  recently 
by  the  Cooper  House.  The  deed  was  executed  on  April  13,  1824, 
to  David  Marvin,  Asher  Canfield,  Asa  Ransom,  Ezra  Crane,  and 
Benjamin  Allen  as  trustees.  The  deed  contained  a  clause  stipu- 
lating that  should  the  society  cease  to  use  the  lot  for  church  pur- 
poses it  should  revert  to  the  Averell  estate.  Notwithstanding 
this  fact,  after  the  church  was  moved  off  the  lot,  the  trustees 
(Romeo  Bowen,  Harry  Knowlton,  Zadock  Fitch,  and  Alexander 
H.  Cooper),  on  December  2,  1839,  deeded  the  lot  to  William  H. 
Averell,  son  of  James,  in  consideration  of  $50. 

In  the  Memoir  of  Rev.  Benjamin  G.  Paddock  we  learn  that  in 
1 8 18  he  was  appointed  to  Otsego  Circuit,  the  senior  preacher 
living  at  Cooperstown.  A  place  of  worship  had  already  been 
commenced.  It  was  thought  best  in  1819  to  make  Cooperstown 
a  charge,  segregating  it  from  the  circuit.  P.  G.  Paddock  was 
appointed  to  the  place,  though  he  was  supernumerary.  Through 
his  leadership  the  chapel  was  completed.  He  was  the  promoter 
of  a  great  revival,  in  which  Rev.  John  Smith,  the  Presbyterian 
pastor,  heartily  cooperated.  From  June  i,  1819,  to  March  i, 
1820,  one  hundred  and  one  members  were  added  to  the  Presby- 
terian church.  It  is  not  known  how  many  united  with  the  Metho- 
dist church.  At  the  end  of  the  year  Mr.  Paddock  reported  one 
hundred  and  fifty-five  members.  It  is  presumed  that  the  churches 
shared  about  equally  in  results.  However,  a  writer  twenty-one 
years  later  claimed  that  most  of  the  converts  went  to  the  Presby- 
terian church,  largely  on  account  of  the  location  of  the  Methodist 
church. 

After  Mr.  Paddock's  pastorate  Methodism  began  to  decline 
until  in  1838  the  society  had  but  fifteen  members,  ''and  they  were 
quite  poor."  At  the  close  of  Mr.  Bristol's  pastorate  there  were 
sixty-two  members.  In  the  next  year  about  forty  were  added 
to  the  number. 

The  location  of  this  church  was  unfortunate,  as  it  was  outside 
the  cluster  of  dwellings,  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town.  A  writer 
to  the  Northern  stated  that  it  was  deserted  about  1838  for  re- 
ligious purposes,  meetings  being  held  in  private  houses  or  the 
schoolhouse.   On  December  6,  1838,  Ellery  Cory  and  wife  Phoebe 


COOPERSTOWN,  N.  Y. 


701 


and  Holder  Cory  deeded  the  society  a  lot  on  the  north  side  of 
Elm  Street  for  $250.  This  lot  had  sixty  feet  front,  and  it  was 
about  216  feet  from  the  corner  of  Elm  and  Pioneer  Streets  to 
the  center  of  the  lot.  Buckingham  Fitch,  Zadock  Fitch,  Russell 
Brovvnell,  Henry  Bowen,  and  Romeo  Bowen  were  the  trustees  at 
the  time.  Either  in  1838  or  1839  the  church  was  moved  from 
Chestnut  Street  to  the  lot  on  Elm  Street.  Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol 
took  a  position  at  one  end  of  a  roller,  and  did  vigorous  work  in 
moving  the  building.  The  cost  of  removal  and  repairs  was  about 
$850.  To  raise  this  amount  Mr.  Bristol  "was  dispatched  in 
various  directions  to  raise  funds."  A  subscription  book  is  in  ex- 
istence showing  that  his  visits  to  various  charges  secured  $263.50. 
The  local  society  probably  raised  about  $236.50. 

After  removal  and  extensive  repairs  the  building  was  dedicated 
by  the  presiding  elder,  D.  A.  Shepard.  In  this  removal  a  debt  of 
$350  was  incurred,  which  was  carried  until  1847  before  being 
paid.  In  1846-47  the  building  was  remodeled,  a  basement  being 
built  and  an  uninviting  tower  constructed,  and  on  March  27, 
1848,  the  society  secured  additional  land  from  the  Corys,  at  a 
cost  of  $200.  The  total  outlay  was  over  $1,000.  Of  this  amount 
$559  was  raised  by  the  society,  and  the  balance  was  secured  out- 
side the  congregation. 

On  May  i,  1872,  Luther  I.  Burditt  and  wife  Eliza  deeded  the 
society  a  lot  on  Eagle  Street  for  $500,  upon  which  a  house  was 
built  costing  about  $1,000. 

In  1875  the  church  passed  through  its  last  transformation.  The 
basement  was  eliminated,  the  old  steeple  gave  place  to  a  more 
inviting  one,  a  lecture  room  was  built  on  the  rear  of  the  church, 
and  memorial  windows  put  in.  The  large  rose  window  in  the 
tower  was  put  in  by  ministers  who  had  entered  the  work  from 
Otsego  County.  In  these  repairs  $3,800  was  spent.  The  building 
was  rededicated  on  November  10,  1875.  Bishop  R.  S.  Foster 
preached  in  the  morning  from  Isa.  ix,  6,  and  Rev.  Henry 
Wheeler  in  the  evening  from  Gen.  xxviii,  17.  Twelve  hundred 
dollars  was  asked  at  the  close  of  the  bishop's  sermon,  and  $1,500 
raised.  At  the  close  of  the  evening  sermon  a  statement  was  made 
to  the  congregation  that  a  church  in  Schenectady  would  sell  its 
pipe  organ,  costing  $2,200,  for  $800.  The  congregation  at  once 
raised  $500,  which,  with  the  excess  of  the  morning,  bought  the 
organ. 

In  1885  a  debt  of  $600,  which  had  been  carried  nine  years,  was 
paid,  and  in  the  following  year  $500  was  spent  in  recarpeting  the 
church,  buying  a  new  furnace,  and  decorating  the  lecture  room. 


702 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1897  $600  was  expended  in  painting,  papering,  and  carpeting 
the  building. 

On  ]March  10,  1902,  John  Pank  deeded  the  society  the  property 
on  the  corner  of  Chestnut  Street  and  Glen  Avenue  for  $4,600, 
taking  as  part  payment  the  Eagle  Street  parsonage  at  $2,500.  The 
house  on  this  last-purchased  lot  was  moved  on  to  the  lower  side 
of  the  lot  and  nicely  fitted  for  a  parsonage.  On  the  corner  of  the 
lot  there  is  being  erected  a  church  which  will  cost  about  $13,000. 
\Mien  finished  the  society  will  have  one  of  the  most  attractive 
properties  in  the  Conference. 

The  Oneida  Conference  was  entertained  by  this  societv  in 
April,  1858. 

In  the  days  when  the  society  was  very  weak  it  received  $150 
per  year  from  the  ^Missionary  Society  for  several  years. 

Hyde  Park  was  a  part  of  this  charge  from  the  time  of  organiza- 
tion until  it  was  put  with  Hartwick  in  1902. 

Pastorates 

Prior  to  1819  part  of  Otsego  Circuit;  1819,  B.  G.  Paddock; 
1820,  Elias  Bowen;  1821,  Dana  Fox;  1822  (Otsego  and  Coopers- 
town),  Orin  Doolittle,  Eli  Allen;  1823-27,  probably  a  part  of 
Otsego  Circuit;  1828  (Otsego  and  Cooperstown),  Isaac  Grant; 
1829  (Cooperstown  alone  again),  Henr\-  F.  Rowe ;  1830-37,  part 
of  Otsego  Circuit  again;  1838-39  (an  appointment  again),  D.  W. 
Bristol;  1840,  V.  ^l.  Coryell;  1841,  William  Bixby;  1842,  Lyman 
A.  Eddy  ;  1843  (Otsego  and  Cooperstown),  L.  A.  Eddy,  J.  Shank  ; 
1844-45,  (alone  again),  Cassius  H.  Harvey;  1846-47,  B.  W.  Gor- 
ham;  1848-49,  D.  W.  Bristol;  1850-51,  E.  G.  Andrews;  1852-53, 
Charles  Blakeslee ;  1854,  S.  Comfort;  1855-56,  M.  C.  Kern;  1857, 
Joseph  Shank;  1858,  J.  T.  Crippen ;  1859-60,  J.  L.  Wells;  1861-62, 
G.  W.  Bridge;  1863,  R.  Townsend ;  1864,  J.  Pilkington ;  1865-67, 
I.  D.  Peaslee;  1868-70,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1871-72,  H.  M.  Cryden- 
wise;  1873,  W.  A.  Wadsworth;  1874-76,  A.  S.  Clarke;  1877-79, 
W.  M.  Hiller:  1880-81,  J.  C.  Leacock ;  1882-84,  A.  J.  Cook;  1885- 
87,  A.  F.  Chaffee;  1888-90,  T.  F.  Hall;  1891-93;  W.  T.  Blair; 
1894-98,  B.  P.  Riplev;  1889-1900,  E.  Kilpatrick ;  1901-03,  J.  H. 
Littell. 

Cooperstown  Junction 

On  ^lay  8,  1876,  a  meeting  of  the  people  of  Colliersville  and 
vicinity  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse.  Rev.  H.  B.  Cook,  who  was 
pastor  of  Oneonta  Plains  and  Colliersville,  presided  at  the  meet- 
ing, which  was  largely  attended.   Jerome  H.  Talmadge,  Alonzo  B. 


COOPERSTOWN,  N.  Y. 


Every,  J.  P.  Barnes,  A.  E.  Thurston,  George  German,  G.  M. 
Pendell,  James  Badeau,  Abraham  Diefendorft,  and  F.  M.  Fox 
were  elected  trustees.  R.  M.  Roundy  was  elected  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  new  society.  A  building  committee  was  appointed 
consisting  of  Alonzo  B.  Every,  F.  M.  Fox,  G.  M.  Pendell,  and 
Jerome  H.  Talmadge.  On  May  29,  1876,  Merritt  and  David 
Multer  deeded  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Junction  and 
Colliersville  forty-nine  and  a  half  square  rods  of  land  for  $180. 
The  church  was  built  upon  this  lot  by  day  labor,  J.  P.  Manning 
being  the  foreman.  The  building  cost  $2,777.50,  which  was  raised 
during  the  summer  and  on  the  day  of  dedication,  which  was 
November  2,  1876. 

There  were  a  number  of  Baptists  in  the  community  who  were 
interested  in  church  work  and  they  were  given  the  use  of  the 
church  afternoons  a  number  of  years.  A  diminution  of  their  num- 
bers prompted  them  to  discontinue  their  services  here. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Dr.  D.  E.  Siver,  the  Cooperstown  and 
Susquehanna  Valley  Railroad  Company  gave  the  society  a  lot 
adjoining  the  church  lot,  containing  forty-nine  rods,  the  deed  for 
which  was  executed  on  November  7,  1898.  During  the  summer 
and  fall  of  1898  a  house  valued  at  $1,500  was  erected  on  this  lot, 
$1,000  in  money  being  raised  for  that  purpose  and  $500  in  labor 
being  contributed.    The  following  year  the  barn  was  built. 

The  society  was  incorporated  as  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Society  of  Junction  and  Colliersville"  on  April  11,  1900,  with 
Lester  Howe,  W.  J.  Barnes,  and  A.  B.  Every  trustees. 

In  1892  the  society  was  greatly  strengthened  by  a  revival. 

From  1876  to  1878  this  society  was  served  by  the  Oneonta 
Plains  pastor,  and  from  1879  it  has  been  with  Portlandville,  the 
charge  taking  the  name  of  Cooperstown  Junction  in  1891. 

Portlandville  is  four  miles  north  of  Cooperstown  Junction. 
Work  was  established  here  at  an  early  day.  The  church  was 
dedicated  on  January  16,  1849.  Rev.  Lyman  Sperry,  the  presid- 
ing elder,  preached  at  11  a.  m.  and  Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol  in  the 
afternoon.  In  the  evening  the  Otsego  District  Ministerial  Associa- 
tion convened  in  the  church. 

In  1867  $3,000  was  spent  in  repairs.  The  building  was  raised,  a 
basement  constructed,  a  bell  purchased,  and  the  auditorium  refur- 
nished. The  building  was  reopened  on  Thursday,  August  i,  1867, 
Rev.  William  Bixby  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  C.  D. 
Mead  in  the  evening. 

The  society  became  incorporated  on  October  28,  1852,  as  The 


704 


Wyoming  Coxferexce 


First  ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Portlandville."  Thomas 
L.  Wakefield  and  George  Bowers  presided  at  the  meeting  for 
incorporation,  and  Thomas  L.  Wakefield,  Erastus  Soule,  and 
Lorenzo  Lane  were  elected  trustees. 

The  lot  upon  which  the  church  was  built  contained  a  quarter 
of  an  acre,  and  was  deeded  to  the  society  on  August  8,  1855, 
Rachel  Lane,  Lorenzo  Lane  and  wife  Marcia,  William  Lane  and 
wife  Harriet,  Philander  Lane  and  wife  Evaline,  Xelson  Lane  and 
wife  Lavantia,  Caroline  Cronkite,  Caleb  J.  Paul  and  wife  Emaline. 
The  purchase  price  was  $40.  By  two  subsequent  purchases,  one 
in  1868  and  one  in  1873,  additional  land  w^as  purchased. 

The  class  was  first  a  part  of  Otsego  Circuit,  and  when  Milford 
became  an  appointment  formed  a  part  of  that  charge,  where  it 
remained  until  it  became  an  appointment  in  1879.  Westville 
was  for  a  while  connected  with  Portlandville. 

Pastorates 

1879  (Portlandville  and  Junction),  H.  B.  Cook;  1880,  M.  D. 
Sill;  1881-82,  C.  W.  Babcock;  1883,  W\  Burnside ;  1884-86,  N.  B. 
Ripley;  1887,  B.  B.  Carruth ;  1888-89,  W.  H.  Alger;  1890,  R.  P. 
Green;  1891  (Cooperstown  Junction),  A.  W.  Loomis ;  1892-93, 
C.  E.  Sweet;  1894-95,  D.  R.  Smith;  1896,  S.  A.  Luce;  1897-98, 
F.  A.  Mattison;  1899-1900,  B.  L.  Hess;  1901-02,  A.  E.  Potter; 
1903,  C.  A.  Frear. 

Davenport,  X.  Y. 

Methodism  has  been  prominent  in  this  section  ever  since 
its  introduction  into  the  Charlotte  Valley.  The  territory  of  this 
charge,  and  of  Davenport  Center,  was  first  reached  by  the  preach- 
ers of  Delaware  Circuit,  and  subsequently  formed  a  part  of 
Charlotte  Circuit,  which  was  taken  from  Delaware  Circuit  in 
1834.  Charlotte  Circuit  included  Charlotteville,  Russ  Hill,  Dug- 
way,  South  Worcester,  Fergusonville,  East  Davenport  (now 
Davenport),  Davenport  Center,  Briar  Street  (now  East  Mer- 
edith), West  Davenport,  and  the  Hemlocks. 

When  Olaf  G.  Hedstrom  was  appointed  to  the  circuit  in  183^ 
he  made  his  home  in  a  building  which  had  been  used  for  a  wood- 
house  and  wash-shed.  When  he  moved  into  the  building  it  was 
without  furniture,  save  an  old  cracked  stove.  The  preacher  had 
no  money  with  which  to  buy ;  he  therefore  took  some  rough 
boards,  and  sticks  from  the  w'ood  pile,  and  made  a  table,  a  bed- 
stead, a  cupboard,  and  a  few  benches  for  seats.    When  the  work 


Davenport,  N.  Y. 


705 


was  done  he  knelt  and  thanked  God  that  he  was  in  possession  of 
so  comfortable  a  home." 

The  territory  has  been  visited  with  some  notable  revivals.  In 
the  winter  of  1844-45  occurred  one  of  special  interest.  "  A  ball 
had  been  announced  to  be  held  at  the  hotel  on  the  evening  of  the 
Methodist  prayer  meeting,  which  was  held  in  the  church,  not  far 
from  the  hotel.  One  object  of  the  ball  was  to  break  up  the 
Methodist  services,  if  possible.  Rev.  A.  C.  Fields,  who  was  then 
preacher  in  charge  of  the  circuit,  suggested  that  special  prayer 
should  be  made  for  the  rioters  and  dancers  who  had  already 
gathered  at  the  hotel.  It  was  done.  The  prayer  of  faith  was 
speedily  answered.  Long  before  midnight  the  ballroom  was 
vacant,  and  the  persons  who  had  proposed  to  break  up  the  prayer- 
service  were  in  the  church  loudly  and  earnestly  seeking  for  mercy. 
Many  who  had  intended  to  spend  the  night  in  dancing  spent  it 
in  prayer.  The  meeting  continued  with  great  power  all  night,  and 
before  dawn  many  were  saved.  An  extensive  revival  followed 
which  gave  much  strength  to  the  church."  Memorable  revivals 
occurred  during  the  pastorates  of  Elliott,  King,  James  W.  Smith, 
Richmond,  the  Burgars,  Morehouse  and  others. 

In  1853  the  Davenport  Circuit  was  formed,  which  included 
Emmons,  West  Davenport,  Prosper  Hollow,  Davenport  Center, 
Briar  Street,  East  Davenport,  South  Hill,  Fergusonville,  Mary- 
land Hill,  and  South  Worcester,  the  last  two  places  being  in 
Otsego  County.  In  1862  the  circuit  was  divided,  the  places  above 
East  Davenport  constituting  a  charge  taking  the  name  of  Fer- 
gusonville; remaining  appointments  continuing  under  the  name 
of  Davenport. 

This  charge  came  into  Wyoming  Conference  from  the  New 
York  Conference  in  1894. 

The  name  of  this  charge  was  changed  from  Fergusonville  to 
Davenport  in  1899. 

John  Bangs,  brother  to  the  gifted  Nathan  Bangs,  was  one  of 
the  preachers  on  Charlotte  Circuit  in  1837.  He  was  a  strong 
preacher  and  referring  to  the  contrast  between  himself  and  his 
brother  he  said :  "My  father  had  a  great  memory,  and  my  mother 
a  poor  one.   Nathan  inherited  my  father's,  and  I  my  mother's." 

The  Davenport  church  was  built  in  1883,  and  was  dedicated 
on  February  i,  1884,  by  Chaplain  McCabe  and  Rev.  Lucius  H. 
King.  It  is  Gothic  in  style,  having  a  basement  under  the  whole 
church  well  equipped  for  social  work,  and  in  its  tower  swings  a 
bell  weighing  one  thousand  and  seventy  pounds. 

In  1892  the  building  was  repaired  and  the  interior  beautified. 
45 


7o6 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  parsonage  was  located  at  Fergusonville  many  years.  In 
1895  it  was  sold  and  the  present  parsonage  at  Davenport  pur- 
chased, costing  $2,000. 

The  charge  was  blessed  by  gracious  revivals  in  1894  and  1895. 

Fergusonville  is  three  miles  northwest  from  Davenport,  and 
early  became  an  important  point  on  the  Charlotte  Circuit.  The 
church  was  built  in  1835,  costing  $1,400.  It  was  extensively  re- 
paired in  1869. 

In  1848  Rev.  Samuel  D.  Ferguson,  a  distinguished  member  of 
the  Xew  York  Conference,  founded  an  academy  at  Fergusonville 
which,  because  of  its  environment,  salubrity  of  the  climate,  and 
Mr.  Ferguson's  ability,  proved  a  success.  Mr.  Ferguson  died  in 
1855,  and  the  school  was  transferred  to  James  Oliver.  It  has 
long  since  ceased  to  exist,  and  part  of  the  buildings  have  been 
destroyed. 

In  185 1  Davenport  and  Fergusonville  were  swept  by  revivals. 
In  the  latter  place,  it  is  said,  every  family  was  reached  except 
a  Catholic  one. 

Pastorates 

(Delaware  Circuit:)  1794,  Robert  Dillon,  David  Buck;  1795, 
David  Bartine,  Jeremiah  Ballard ;  1796,  Zenas  Conger,  Daniel 
Crouch;  1797,  Anthony  Turk,  John  Robinson;  1798,  John  Robin- 
son, William  Vredenburgh;  1799,  Daniel  Higby,  Xathan  Smith; 
1800,  Thomas  Dodson,  Jonathan  Newman;  1801,  John  Leach, 
Benjamin  Bidlack,  William  \Mlliams ;  1802,  ^latthias  Swaim, 
Stephen  G.  Whitehead;  1803,  Zenas  Covil;  1804,  Henry  Steele, 
Andrew  McKean;  1805,  John  Crawford,  Jesse  Davis;  1806, 
Alexander  ]^Iartin,  Xehemiah  U.  Tompkins;  1807,  Joseph  Willis, 
Wihiam  Snow;  1808,  Xathan  Bangs,  Robert  Dillon;  1809,  Hugh 
Armstrong,  Cyprian  H.  Gridley;  1810,  John  Kline,  Abner  Chase; 
181 1,  Samuel  Fowler,  Elijah  Hibbard ;  1812,  Bela  Smith, 
Alexander  Dunbar,  Hawley  Sanford ;  1813,  John  Finnegan, 
Elisha  P.  Jacob,  Henry  Hobby;  1814,  Stephen  Jacob,  Beardsley 
X'orthrup;  1815,  Stephen  Jacob,  Heman  Bangs;  1816,  Bela 
Smith,  Horace  Weston;  1817,  W.  ^I.  Stilwell,  Isaac  Lent;  1818, 
Arnold  Schofield,  James  Young;  1819,  A.  Schofield.  Henry  Had- 
field,  X'athan  Rice;  1820,  John  Finnegan,  James  Ouinlan ;  1821, 
John  Finnegan,  Roswell  Kelly;  1822,  Jesse  Pomeroy,  Quartus 
Stewart;  1823,  John  Bangs,  Ira  Ferris;  1824,  John  Bangs,  Beza- 
leel  Howe;  1825,  Cyrus  Silliman,  Bezaleel  Howe;  1826,  Cyrus 
Silliman,  Philo  Ferris;  1827,  Friend  W.  Smith,  Philo  Ferris; 
1828,  Friend  W.  Smith,  Paul  R.  Brown ;  1829,  Alexander  Calder, 


Davenport  Center,  N.  Y. 


707 


Paul  R.  Brown;  1830,  Orin  Pier,  Harvey  Brown;  1831,  Harvey 
Brown,  Rodman  Lewis;  1832,  Noah  Sullivan,  John  Bangs;  1833, 
Elbert  Osborn ;  (Charlotte  Circuit:)  1834,  Harvey  Brown;  1835- 
36,  Olaf  G.  Hedstrom;  1837,  Matthew  Van  Dusen,  John  Bangs, 
sup.;  1838,  Daniel  Bullock,  George  L.  Fuller;  1839-40,  John 
Carver;  1841-42,  Eben  S.  Hibbard ;  1843-44,  Andrew  C.  Fields; 
1845,  Daniel  Bullock,  Abraham  Davis ;  1846,  Addi  Lee,  John 
Bangs,  sup. ;  1847,  Russell  S.  Scott,  John  Bangs,  sup. ;  1848, 
Russell  S.  Scott,  Samuel  D.  Ferguson;  1849,  Hiram  Lamont, 
Moses  L.  Pendell,  S.  D.  Ferguson,  sup. ;  1850,  Hiram  Lamont, 
Joseph  Elliott,  S.  D.  Ferguson,  sup.;  1851,  Lucius  H.  King, 
Noble  Lovett,  S.  D.  Ferguson,  sup.;  1852,  L.  H.  King,  Robert 
Kerr,  S.  D.  Ferguson,  sup.;  (Davenport  Circuit:)  1853,  David 
Gibson,  Asahel  M.  Hough;  1854,  David  Gibson,  Royal  Court- 
right;  1855-56,  James  W.  Smith,  George  Hearn;  1857,  James  M. 
Burgar,  John  F.  Richmond;  1858,  James  M.  Burgar,  Orin  P. 
Dales;  1859,  Alonzo  C.  Morehouse,  J.  P.  Burgar;  i860,  Alonzo  C. 
Morehouse,  Sanford  L  Ferguson;  1861,  Nehemiah  O.  Lent,  San- 
ford  L  Ferguson;  (Fergusonville :)  1862-63,  Robert  Kerr;  1864- 
65,  Robert  H.  Kelley;  1866,  Charles  W.  Lyon;  1867,  W.  W. 
Shaw;  1868  (Fergusonville  and  Charlotte  two  years,  when  the 
charge  is  Fergusonville  again),  W.  W.  Shaw,  L.  S.  Brown;  1869, 
W.  S.  Winans,  E.  F.  Barlow;  1870-71,  W.  S.  Winans;  1872-74, 
E.  White;  1875-76,  J.  H.  Wood;  1877,  John  Keogan;  1878,  C.  H. 
Travis,  1879-80,  Thomas  Elliott;  1881-83,  C.  Palmer;  1884-85, 
(Fergusonville  and  Charlotteville  two  years),  C.  H.  Travis,  1886- 
87  (Fergusonville  and  Davenport  to  1897),  S.  Merchant;  1888- 
92,  G.  W.  Martin;  1893,  Samuel  Bullen;  1894-98,  C.  E.  Sweet; 
1899-1902,  Joshua  Brundle;  1903,  J.  L.  Serviss. 


Davenport  Center,  N.  Y. 

The  early  history  of  this  charge  is  involved  with  the  history  of 
the  Davenport  charge.  Its  pastors  are  to  be  found  in  Delaware, 
Charlotte,  and  Davenport  Circuits.  At  the  division  of  Davenport 
Circuit  in  1862  one  part  (see  Davenport)  continued  the  name 
Davenport,  and  carried  the  name  until  1895,  when  it  was  changed 
to  Davenport  Center. 

This  charge  came  into  Wyoming  Conference  from  the  New 
York  Conference  in  1894. 

The  church  at  Davenport  Center  was  built  in  1835,  at  a  cost 
of  $3,000,  and  was  extensively  repaired  in  1876. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Davenport  Center. 


7o8 


Wyoming  Conference 


West  Davenport  is  two  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Davenport. 
The  church  was  built  in  1852  at  a  cost  of  $1,100,  and  was 
thoroughly  repaired  in  1874  at  a  cost  of  $1,600,  at  which  time 
the  bell,  which  cost  $300,  was  purchased.  The  building  was 
again  repaired  in  1891  at  an  expense  of  $600. 

A  good  revival  occurred  at  this  place  in  1850-51,  and  in  1885 
there  were  over  one  hundred  conversions. 

Pastorates 

1862,  Nehemiah  O.  Lent;  1863,  Edwin  B.  Pierce;  1864,  Amos 
N.  Mulnix;  1865,  Peter  V.  Schermerhorn ;  1866-67,  WiUiam  D. 
Fero;  1868-69  Joseph  Elliott;  1870-71,  Lorenzo  G.  Niles;  1872, 
Adelbert  Gaylord;  1873-74,  William  W.  Taylor;  1875-76,  Milo 
Couchman;  1877-78,  Edward  P.  Crane;  1879-81,  Edwin  Hunt; 
1882-83,  T.  Carter;  1884-86,  A.  B.  Barker;  1887-88,  A.  H. 
Haynes;  1889,  George  L.  McLane;  1890-91,  L.  S.  Brown;  1892- 
93,  M.  S.  Buckingham;  1894-95,  C.  H.  Reynolds;  1896-98,  C.  D. 
Shepard;  1899-1901,  S.  A.  Terry;  1902,  A.  J.  Neff;  1903,  W.  S. 
Wilcox. 

Decatur,  N.  Y. 

The  first  society  organized  in  this  town  was  a  union  afifair  w^ith 
the  following  members :  Timothy  Parker,  Biger  Wright,  Stiles 
Parker,  Jesse  Davis,  Martha  Howe,  James  Parker,  Martha  Davis, 

Sarah  Maple,  Parker,  J.  Lewis,  N.  Lewis,  Samuel  Howe,  P. 

Parker,  and  Elijah  Parker. 

The  first  church  building  was  erected  in  1807,  at  a  cost  of  $500. 

On  January  17,  1823,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Justus 
Lewis,  when  "The  Decatur  Union  Society"  became  incorporated, 
with  Jesse  Davis,  Chauncey  Parker,  and  Sheubel  Bullock  trustees. 
The  Methodists  used  the  "Society  House"  until  they  went  into 
their  own  church. 

As  early  as  1836  Decatur  formed  a  part  of  Westford  Circuit. 
About  this  year,  at  a  Quarterly  Conference  held  on  June  23  and 
24,  this  motion  was  passed:  "Resolved,  That  Decatur  Hollow  be 
allowed  the  privilege  of  circulating  a  subscription  paper  in  order 
to  ascertain  the  practicability  of  maintaining  a  station  preacher, 
and  report  their  success  to  the  presiding  elder."  The  same  record- 
ing steward's  book  states  that  a  church  was  dedicated  at  Decatur 
on  March  16,  1837,  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard  preaching  the  sermon 
and  dedicating  the  church. 

Biger  Wright  was  the  first  class  leader. 

Decatur,  Elliott  Hill,  and  Red  Schoolhouse  are  not  mentioned 


Decatur^  N.  Y. 


709 


again  in  the  Minutes  of  Westford  Circuit  until  February,  1841, 
when  the  preachers  of  the  circuit  were  requested  to  supply  those 
places.  Nor  do  the  Minutes  of  Conferences  give  any  hint  as  to 
how  the  places  were  supplied  with  preaching.  The  July  Quarterly 
Conference  of  1841  passed  the  following:  ''Resolved,  That  Deca- 
tur Hollow,  Elliott  Hill,  and  West  Worcester  be  set  off  as  a 
station."  From  this  time  on  Decatur  appears  among  the  Confer- 
ence appointments. 

While  the  preceding  is  decidedly  fragmentary,  it  is  very  sug- 
gestive, and  by  reading  between  the  lines  we  may  see  the  growth 
of  the  society. 

In  1871  $2,700  was  spent  in  repairing  the  building.  The  gal- 
leries were  removed,  a  tower  built,  bell  purchased,  and  other  im- 
provements made.  The  church  was  reopened  on  Thursday, 
November  30,  1871.  Rev.  W.  N.  Cobb  preached  in  the  morning 
from  Psa.  cxvi,  12-16,  and  after  the  sermon  raised  $1,300.  Rev. 
J.  V.  Newell  preached  in  the  evening. 

In  1890  the  building  was  papered,  ceiled,  and  carpeted,  at  a 
cost  of  $500. 

The  old  church  was  torn  down,  and  a  new  one  built  in  1901 
costing  $2,000.  It  is  of  modern  design  and  has  eleven  memorial 
windows.  It  was  dedicated  on  January  30,  1902,  by  Rev.  T.  F. 
Hall,  D.D.,  $1,950  being  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication. 

The  first  parsonage  was  bought  in  1840,  and  sold  about  1880, 
when  the  present  parsonage  was  built  on  the  lot  by  the  church. 
Anticipating  a  new  house,  the  society  bought  a  half  acre  of  land 
of  William  Cipperly  in  April,  1874,  for  $500.  This  lot  was  sold, 
and  on  October  2,  1875,  the  lot  upon  which  the  parsonage  stands 
was  bought  of  G.  M.  Starkweather  for  $175. 

Between  January  and  April,  1842,  there  were  over  two  hundred 
conversions  at  Decatur,  A  good  revival  occurred  in  1869,  and  in 
February  and  March,  1886,  one  hundred  and  five  were  converted. 

Elliott  Hill  formed  a  part  of  this  charge  until  about  1887,  when 
it  was  placed  with  East  Worcester. 

South  Valley  is  about  four  miles  northwest  of  Decatur.  For 
many  years  this  society  worshiped  in  a  building  which  was 
jointly  owned  by  the  Episcopal  and  Protestant  Methodists.  The 
society  sold  its  interest  in  the  church  for  $300.  Delos  Easier  pre- 
sented the  society  with  a  fine  lot,  upon  which  a  church  costing 
about  $2,000  was  built.  It  was  dedicated  on  July  25,  1895.  Rev. 
L.  B.  Weeks  preached  in  the  morning,  Rev.  C.  H.  Sackett  in  the 
afternoon,  and  Rev.  H.  B.  Benedict  in  the  evening.    The  sum  of 


7IO  Wyoming  Conference 

$300  was  raised  during  the  day.  The  dedicatory  service  was  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft. 

A  bell  costing  $200  was  purchased  in  1902. 

Pastorates 

1841,  A.  E.  Daniels;  1842-43,  C.  Starr;  1844,  S.  C.  Phinney; 
1845-46,  E.  Dennison  ;  1847-48,  E.  L.  North ;  1849,  George  Parsons, 
R.  O.  Beebe;  1850,  George  Parsons;  1851-52,  D.  C.  Dutcher; 
1853-54,  W.  Burnside;  1855-56,  S.  M.  Stone;  1857,  A.  E.  Daniels; 
1858-59,  W.  R.  Lynch;  i860,  P.  Hughston;  1861-62,  D.  Potter; 
1863,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1864-65,  J.  N.  Piatt;  1866-68,  C.  G.  Wood; 
1869,  A.  S.  Clark;  1870,  H.  A.  Blanchard ;  1871,  S.  H.  Hill;  1872- 
74,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1875,  A.  W.  Barrows;  1876,  A.  G.  Bar- 
tholomew; 1877,  S.  H.  Wood;  1878,  W.  Edgar;  1879-80,  L.  B. 
Weeks;  1881-83,  R.  C.  Gill;  1884-86,  C.  B.  Personeus;  1887-88, 
A.  W.  Loomis;  1889-90,  E.  H.  Truesdell ;  1891-92,  R.  P.  Green; 
1893,  G.  N.  Underwood;  1894,  L.  V.  Wood;  1895,  G.  H.  Bent; 
1896-99,  W.  S.  Adams;  1900,  Wi'Uam  Mountenay;  1901,  W.  H. 
Horton;  1902,  Asa  A.  Callendar;  1903,  W.  S.  Adams. 

East  Worcester,  N.  Y. 

The  society  was  formed  about  1823  or  1824.  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Champion,  wife  of  John  Champion,  called  a  meeting  at  the  school- 
house,  situated  near  the  Corners,  on  a  certain  Sunday  evening, 
and  sent  for  a  local  preacher  named  Depew,  living  at  Elliott  Hill 
to  come  and  preach  for  them.  The  large  audience  was  disap- 
pointed. Mrs.  Champion  spoke  to  the  people  explaining  the  teach- 
ings of  Methodism.  After  praying  and  exhorting  she  asked  those 
who  were  willing  to  join  her  in  holding  prayer  meetings  to  signify 
it.  Two  responded.  Meetings  followed  in  which  Mr.  Depew 
assisted.  Preaching  services  were  established.  Rev.  Messrs. 
Depew  and  Jeremiah  Simmons  alternating  in  preaching.  Revival 
work  followed  with  success.  Next  year  this  class  forms  a  part  of 
Westford  Circuit. 

The  class  met  in  the  sclioolhouse  in  district  No.  i,  in  the  town  of 
Worcester,  on  April  10,  1838.  Rev.  A.  E.  Daniels  was  chairman, 
Silas  Devol  secretary,  and  Silas  Devol  and  Aaron  Champion 
acted  as  judges  of  election.  At  this  meeting  ''The  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  East  Worcester"  was  incorporated,  and  Silas 
Devol,  Aaron  Champion,  Eli  P.  Bruce,  Jonathan  Jennings,  and 
John  Rockefeller  were  elected  trustees. 

The  society  was  again  incorporated  on  August  2,  1886.    E.  R. 


East  Worcester,  N.  Y. 


Thurber  and  Elanson  Snow  presided,  and  Giles  C.  DanA,  Aaron 
Hollenbeck,  and  Adam  Eckerson  were  elected  trustees. 

On  July  24,  1838,  Leonard  Caryl  and  wife  Mary  deeded  the 
society  a  lot,  located  on  the  road  to  South  Hill,  for  $1.  He  also 
subscribed  liberally  toward  the  building  of  the  church.  To  this 
man  and  Messrs.  Aaron  and  James  Champion  the  building  of  the 
church  was  chiefly  due.  It  was  put  up  prior  to  1839.  A  writer 
says:  "It  was  a  heavy  tax  on  a  few  persons,  and  when  the  com- 
mittee were  soliciting  contributions  they  called  on  John  Champion, 
the  *hotel  preacher,'  as  he  was  extensively  known,  for  aid.  He 
promised  to  pay  a  certain  amount  if  they  would  grant  him  the 
privilege  of  preaching  the  first  sermon  in  it  after  its  completion. 
This  was  readily  agreed  to.  At  the  dedication,  when  the  prelim- 
inaries had  taken  place,  and  all  were  ready  for  the  sermon  by  the 
presiding  elder,  Uncle  John  left  his  seat  and  started  for  the  pulpit. 
All  eyes  were  turned  on  the  old  gray-haired  veteran,  and  those 
in  the  pulpit  seemed  to  hesitate,  not  knowing  what  was  going  to 
occur.  Many  of  the  auditors  knew  what  was  coming.  One  of 
the  sons  attempted  to  persuade  him  to  relinquish  his  plan,  as  it 
might  disturb  the  proceedings.  He  pushed  his  son  aside,  with 
the  remark  that  he  knew  what  he  was  about  to  do.  On  reaching 
the  altar,  he  addressed  the  ministers,  and  related,  in  a  clear  voice, 
the  contract  made,  and  said  that  he  was  ready  to  fulfill  the  last 
of  the  bargain  on  his  part.  The  ministers  stood  aside,  the  old 
gentleman  took  his  text,  and  for  twenty  or  thirty  minutes  ad- 
dressed the  crowded  house  in  a  manner  never  before  nor  since 
known.  It  almost  seemed  as  if  St.  John,  the  apostle,  were  speak- 
ing in  his  own  flesh  and  blood.  He  concluded  by  trusting  that 
those  who  were  to  occupy  the  sacred  desk  would  preach  only 
from  the  Holy  Bible  before  him,  with  love  to  all,  laying  aside  all 
bigotry,  superstition,  intolerance,  or  fanaticism,  to  the  end  that 
all  might  become  better,  and  prepared  to  occupy  another  temple 
not  made  with  hands ;  also  thanked  all  concerned,  walked  back  to 
his  seat,  and  the  dedicatory  exercises  proceeded." 

The  building  was  enlarged  in  1866  and  rededicated  on  Thurs- 
day, February  7,  1867,  Rev.  William  Bixby  preaching  both 
morning  and  evening.  In  1883  $800  was  spent  in  repairing  and 
improving  the  church. 

In  1895  a  parsonage  was  built  costing  $1,600.  It  was  formally 
opened  on  December  28,  1895,  by  a  reception.  The  following 
Sunday  morning  Rev.  J.  E.  Bone  preached,  and  after  the  ser- 
mon raised  $500  to  finish  paying  for  the  building.  On  January  10, 
1896,  in  consideration  of  $245,  Eliza  A.  Sullivan  deeded  the 


712 


Wyoming  Conference 


society  half  an  acre  of  ground — the  lot  on  which  the  parsonage 
was  built. 

The  charge  has  been  visited  by  a  number  of  gracious  revivals. 

The  charge  was  formed  in  1853,  ^^t  from  1855-82  it  was  with 
Worcester,  and  became  a  charge  again  in  1883. 

Elliott  Hill  was  a  part  of  Westford  Circuit  as  early  as  1836, 
and  became  a  part  of  Decatur  charge  at  its  formation.  On  May 
19,  1880,  James  H.  Skinner  and  his  wife  Mary  deeded  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Elliott  Hill,  in  the  town  of  De- 
catur, a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  ground,  receiving  $1  therefor.  The 
church  was  built  in  1880.  About  1887  this  society  became  a  part 
of  the  East  Worcester  charge; 

Pastorates 

1853,  E.  Dennison;  1854,  Wayne  Carver;  1855-82,  with  Wor- 
cester (which  see)  ;  1883,  G.  H.  Prentice;  1884-85,  W.  R.  Turner; 
1886,  G.  H.  Prentice;  1887-89,  J.  W.  Mevis ;  1890-91,  R.  C.  Gill; 
1892-94,  E.  E.  Pearce;  1895-96,  L.  A.  Wild;  1897-1900,  W.  M. 
wShaw ;  1901-02,  W.  S.  Wilcox ;  1903,  W.  S.  Adams. 

Fly  Creek,  N.  Y. 

Prior  to  the  creation  of  Fly  Creek  charge  this  territory  formed 
a  part  of  Otsego  Circuit. 

Not  long  after  the  year  1800  a  "meetinghouse"  was  built  upon 
the  spot  now  called  the  ''old  chapel  burying  ground,"  situated 
about  one  fourth  of  a  mile  north  of  the  village.  This  was  built  by 
the  Episcopalians. 

The  class  was  organized  about  the  year  1810  by  the  Rev.  Seth 
Mattison,  with  the  following  among  the  first  members  :  Benjamin 
and  Celinda  Gallap,  David  Marvin,  George  Roberts,  Eleanor 
Williams,  Sally  Rutember.  The  society  used  the  chapel,  spoken 
of  above.   In  time  it  came  to  be  called  the  ''old  ^lethodist  chapel." 

On  March  31,  1834,  the  society  met  in  this  chapel  and  became 
incorporated  as  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  in  Fly 
Creek.  David  Alarvin  presided,  and  Russell  Brownell  acted  as 
clerk.  Russell  Brownell,  Zadock  Fitch,  David  Marvin,  Philip 
Moses,  and  Henry  Fish  were  elected  trustees.  For  some  reason, 
not  now  known,  the  society  met  in  the  same  place  on  April  23, 
1835,  and  again  incorporated,  using  the  same  name  as  before. 
Russell  Brownell  presided  at  this  meeting,  and  Jasper  Denslow 
acted  as  secretary.  David  Marvin,  Bennajah  Comstock,  Joseph  C. 
Marvin,  Warren  Babbitt,  Zadock  Fitch,  Russell  Brownell,  and 


Fly  Creek,  N.  Y. 


713 


Philip  Moses  were  elected  trustees.  At  this  meeting  the  trustees 
were  authorized  to  secure  a  site  and  circulate  a  subscription  for 
a  church.  Some  funds,  however,  had  already  been  raised  for 
that  purpose. 

On  July  31,  1835,  David  Marvin  and  his  wife  Eleanor  deeded 
the  society  one  rood  and  fourteen  rods  of  land  for  $50.  The 
church,  which  was  40x60  feet,  was  built  on  this  lot,  and  dedicated 
in  1839  by  Dr.  EHas  Bowen. 

This  building  was  remodeled  in  1874  at  an  expense  of  $2,500. 
The  galleries  and  high  pulpit  were  removed,  and  other  radical 


FLY  CREEK  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 

changes  made.  It  was  reopened  on  Thursday,  February  25,  1875. 
Rev.  H.  Wheeler  preached  in  the  morning  from  Gen.  xxviii,  17. 
After  the  sermon  the  congregation  was  asked  for  $600,  and  $900 
was  given.  Rev.  H.  V.  Talbott  preached  in  the  evening.  The 
society  used  the  Universalist  church  while  the  repairs  were  in 
progress. 

The  bell  in  this  church  was  purchased  as  a  community  affair, 
but  for  years,  by  virtue  of  possession,  it  has  been  considered  the 
property  of  the  church.  For  years  it  rang  at  exactly  noon,  the 
janitor  priding  himself  on  his  accuracy.  It  was  also  used  to  ring 
for  curfew,  which  prevailed  many  years  ago  in  the  village. 

The  ground  upon  which  the  Old  Chapel  used  to  stand  was 
leased  to  the  society  for  nine  hundred  years,  the  owner  reserving 
the  right  to  pasture  sheep  between  the  graves.  The  lot  was 
subsequently  deeded  to  the  society. 

The  first  parsonage  was  built  on  half  an  acre  of  ground  deeded 


714 


Wyoming  Conference 


on  December  31,  1835,  to  the  trustees  of  Otsego  Circuit,  by 
Buckingham  Fitch,  for  $5.  The  parsonage  was  not  paid  for  until 
about  1854.  The  pastors  resided  in  this  house  until  the  present 
property  was  bought,  when  it  was  sold.  On  June  17,  1901, 
Henry  C.  Babcock  and  wife  Mary  H.  deeded  the  society  the 
present  property  beside  the  church,  which  contains  three  quarters 
of  an  acre  of  ground,  for  $2,000. 

Fitch  Hill  class  was  organized  about  1813.  Its  first  members 
were  Jonah  and  Esther  Sprague ;  Reuben  and  Elsie  Whipple,  son 
and  daughter ;  George  and  Alice  Roberts  and  George,  Jr. ;  S.  R., 
Sophia,  and  Sally  Roberts ;  Joseph  and  Alice  Perkins ;  William 
Holavert;  and  Amos  Babcock  and  wife. 

On  May  9,  1835,  the  society  met  at  the  house  of  B.  Fletcher,  in 
the  town  and  county  of  Otsego,  for  incorporation.  William  T. 
Tanner  presided  and  Eleazer  Boiden  acted  as  clerk.  Eleazer 
Boiden,  William  T.  Tanner,  Zadock  Fitch,  David  Marvin,  and 
Buckingham  Fitch  were  elected  trustees  of  ''The  Third  Methodist 
Episcopal  Society  in  the  town  of  Otsego,  State  of  New  York." 

A  church  24x30  feet  was  built  in  1835,  and  was  extensively 
repaired  in  1881.  It  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  February  2, 
1882,  Rev.  F.  L.  Hiller  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  C. 
Leacock  in  the  evening. 

No  services  are  held  here  now,  having  been  discontinued  in 
1902. 

Fly  Creek  Valley  is  six  miles  north  of  Fly  Creek  and  two  miles 
from  Fitch  Hill. 

On  August  28,  1882,  Leander  Weldon  and  wife  Mary,  in  con- 
sideration of  $1,  deeded  to  Alonzo  House,  Menzo  Bourne,  Gorton 
Shaw,  Fayette  T.  Shant,  and  Louis  Hinds,  trustees  of  "The  Fly 
Creek  Valley  ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  Church,"  forty-one  rods  of 
land.  The  church,  which  cost  $2,000,  was  dedicated  on  Thursday; 
January  3,  1884,  by  Rev.  A.  J.  Cook. 

Toddsville  formed  a  part  of  this  charge  until  placed  with 
Hartwick  in  1898. 

Pastorates 

1853-54,  A.  R.  Wells ;  1855-56,  George  Parsons ;  1857-58,  D.  L. 
Pendell;  1859,  S.  Comfort;  i860,  S.  Comfort,  H.  F.  Rowe ;  1861- 
62,  William  Watson;  1863-64,  William  C.  McDonald;  1865-67, 
J.  W.  Rawlingson;  1868-69,  H.  Y.  Talbott;  1870-72,  George 
Parsons;  1873-74,  H.  A.  Blanchard ;  1875,  A.  J.  Cook;  1876-78, 
J.  Ryder;  1879-80,  H.  G.  Harned;  1881-83,  B.  P.  Ripley;  1884, 


Harpursville  and  Nineveh,  N.  Y.  715 

P.  R.  Tower;  1885-87,  A.  Wrigley;  1888,  H.  E.  Wheeler;  1889- 
90,  J.  S.  Southworth;  1891,  H.  A.  Williams;  1892-93,  J.  L. 
Thomas;  1894-96,  A.  M.  Colegrove ;  1897-1900,  E.  E.  Pearce; 
1901-02,  E.  L.  Jeffrey;  1903,  R.  E.  Wilson. 

Harpursville  and  Nineveh,  N.  Y. 

From  1842  to  1857  the  territory  in  this  charge  formed  a  part 
of  Page  Brook  Circuit,  which  contained  the  following  preaching 
places :  Page  Brook,  East  Page  Brook,  New  Ohio,  Harpursville, 
Wakeman's,  and  Elliott.  In  1844  three  other  appointments  were 
added. 

The  first  Quarterly  Conference  held  in  Harpursville  was  held 
at  the  schoolhouse  on  February  10,  1844.  On  March  12,  1844, 
the  society  met  for  incorporation,  when  Hartson  Humaston, 
Darius  W.  Pearsall,  and  Albert  Pratt  were  elected  trustees  of 
'The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
Harpursville." 

On  July  5,  1845,  ^ai^d  was  purchased  of  Robert  Harpur,  and 
the  church  was  built  the  same  season,  being  dedicated  on  October 
16.  Rev.  J.  M.  Snyder  preached  from  James  i,  17,  and  after  the 
sermon  raised  $50  to  liquidate  indebtedness.  After  an  inter- 
mission Rev.  T.  H.  Pearne  preached  from  Gen.  xlix,  22-24.  The 
society  at  this  time  had  fourteen  members. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1867. 

When  Harpursville  charge  was  formed  it  contained  the  fol- 
lowing preaching  places :  Harpursville,  New  Ohio,  Nineveh, 
Coles  Hill,  Perch  Pond,  Schonton,  Nurce  Hollow,  and  Welton 
Street. 

Nineveh  class  was  organized  in  1852.  On  March  21,  1853,  the 
society  met  at  the  schoolhouse,  the  usual  place  of  worship,  for 
incorporation,  when  R.  S.  Run,  John  Padgett,  H.  W.  Mahew, 
Jeremiah  Pular,  and  Daniel  Stone  were  elected  trustees  of  "The 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Nineveh." 

The  church  was  built  in  1855.  In  1892  $380  was  spent  in 
improvements,  and  in  1900  Mr.  Reuben  Lovejoy  presented  the 
society  with  a  bell  costing  $240.  In  the  same  season  the  interior 
of  the  church  was  somewhat  improved. 

Nineveh  became  an  appointment  in  1873,  and  was  served  by 
the  following  pastors:  1873,  T.  C.  Roskelly;  1874-75,  A.  Brown; 
1876-77,  S.  Wood;  1878,  L.  Frutchman;  1879-80,  F.  L.  Ketchum; 
1881,  E.  Andrews;  1882-83,  C.  H.  Marsh.  In  1884  Nineveh 
returned  to  its  former  relation  with  Harpursville. 


7i6 


Wyoming  Conference 


During  the  pastorate  of  L.  F.  Ketchum  a  contention  arose.  He 
insisted  on  preaching  on  territory  belonging  to  Harpursville 
charge.  This  eventually  caused  a  rupture  and  Ketchum  left  the 
Church,  taking  some  members  with  him,  and  organized  a  Re- 
formed Methodist  society,  only  two  miles  from  Harpursville, 
which  society  still  continues. 

Perch  Pond  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  about  four  miles 
east  of  Harpursville.  This  has  been  a  thrifty  appointment  for 
years. 

Harpursville  charge  has  been  favored  with  a  strong  line  of 
local  preachers — Revs.  S.  Parsons,  father  of  Rev.  F.  H.  Parsons, 
of  this  Conference,  John  Moon,  Adam  Yeager,  Billy  Way.  Revs. 
L.  Alexander,  E.  H.  Truesdell,  and  John  Hurlburt  went  from 
this  charge  and  did  supply  work.  A.  Estes  was  licensed  in  1859 
and  entered  the  pastorate.  M.  D.  Matoon  was  licensed  in  1861 
and  is  now  doing  supply  work.  R.  W.  Van  Schoick  was  licensed 
in  1866  and  entered  the  Conference. 

W.  W.  Cowdry  served  as  recording  steward  from  1842  to 
January  10,  1863,  being  present  seventy-two  sessions  out  of 
eighty-four,  and  during  ten  successive  years  did  not  miss  a  session 
of  the  Quarterly  Conference.  S.  B.  Monroe  served  ten  years,  and 
C.  W.  Hare  has  been  recording  steward  since  1880. 

Pastorates 

(Page  Brook:)  1842-43,  A.  G.  Burlingame;  1844-45,  Philip 
Bartlett;  1846-47,  Henry  Ercanbrack;  1848-49,  Levi  Pitts;  1850, 
T.  D.  Wire;  1851,  M.  Ruger  (Ruger  died,  E.  Puffer  filled  out  the 
year);  1852,  E.  Puffer;  1853,  W.  Round;  1854,  W.  Round,  E. 
Pufifer;  1855  (Harpursville  alone),  W.  Roberts;  1856,  A.  C. 
Sperry,  W.  Roberts;  1857,  A.  C.  Sperry,  E.  Puffer;  (Harpurs- 
ville:) 1858,  P.  G.  Bridgeman;  1859-60,  G.  A.  Severson ;  1861- 
62,  A.  W.  Loomis;  1863,  P.  Holbrook;  1864,  L.  Pitts;  1865-66, 
A.  Brigham;  1867-69,  S.  Barner;  1870-71,  C.  D.  Shepard,  G.  E. 
Hathaway;  1872,  W.  H.  Gavitt,  G.  E.  Hathaway;  1873,  W.  H. 
Gavitt;  1874-76,  I.  P.  Towner;  1877-78,  George  Pritchett ;  1879, 
A.  F.  Harding;  1880-81,  C.  H.  Jewell ;  1882-83,  F.  P.  Doty;  1884- 
85,  N.  J.  Hawley;  1886,  J.  G.  Stephens;  1887,  G.  H.  Prentice; 
1888-89,  J-  H.  'Taylor;  1890-93,  A.  M.  Colegrove;  1894-95, 
Joshua  Brundle;  1896,  James  Benge,  A.  W.  Phillips  (Benge  died, 
Phillips  filled  out  the  year);  1897-98,  A.  C.  Olver;  1899-1900, 
H.  E.  Wheeler;  1901,  William  Mountenay ;  1902-03,  W.  H. 
Horton. 


Hartwick,  N.  Y. 


717 


Hartwick,  N.  Y. 

Very  little  has  been  gleaned  concerning  Hartwick.  Lying,  as 
it  does,  but  a  few  miles  up  the  valley  from  Mount  Vision,  it  would 
be  fair  to  presume  that  the  itinerants  of  Otsego  Circuit  in  reach- 
ing Mount  Vision  would  not  overlook  this  place  nor  pass  it  by. 
It  formed  a  part  of  Exeter  Circuit  in  1843,  There  is  a  tradition 
that  Methodist  preachers  held  services  in  an  old  stone  schoolhouse 
seventy-five  years  ago.  It  is  also  claimed  that  the  church  was 
raised  on  May  29,  1839. 

On  June  21,  1842,  the  society  met  for  incorporation.  E.  R. 
Van  Horne  and  Joshua  Duly  presided,  and  Caleb  F.  Smith, 
Lyman  Green,  Russell  Benjamin,  Frederick  H.  Bissell,  and  E.  R. 
Van  Horne  were  elected  trustees.  The  corporate  name  of  the 
society  is  "The  Trustees  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
of  Hartwick." 

Upon  application  of  Rev.  Nelson  Rounds,  D.D.,  the  presiding 
elder  of  Chenango  District,  to  the  faculty  of  Cazenovia  Seminary, 
E.  G.  Andrews,  now  bishop,  went  to  Hartwick  and  taught  a  select 
school  in  the  winter  of  1843,  in  the  basement  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  This  winter  he  received  an  exhorter's  license 
from  Rev.  Calvin  Hawley,  then  preacher  in  charge  of  Exeter 
Circuit,  which  included  Hartwick,  and  later  a  local  preacher's 
license  signed  by  Dr.  Rounds.  His  first  sermon  was  preached  in 
a  schoolhouse  three  or  four  miles  south  of  Hartwick. 

The  building  was  repaired  in  1866,  at  a  cost  of  $34Cmd.  It  was 
reopened  on  Wednesday,  February  13,  1867,  Rev.  William 
Bixby  preaching  morning  and  evening.  It  was  again  repaired 
in  1880,  at  an  expense  of  $800,  and  again  in  1902,  at  a  cost 
of  $500. 

Mount  Vision  and  Hartwick  formed  a  charge  many  years. 
There  is  a  parsonage  at  each  place.  It  was  customary  for  years 
for  the  pastors  to  alternate  in  their  place  of  residence.  Should  one 
pastor  hve  at  Hartwick,  the  next  would  live  at  Mount  Vision.  In 
1898  the  places  were  separated,  each  becoming  an  appointment. 

Toddsville  is  five  miles  east  from  Hartwick.  The  class  here 
was  for  many  years  a  part  of  the  Fly  Creek  charge,  and  worshiped 
in  a  union  church.  This  class  became  a  part  of  Hartwick  charge 
in  1898.  On  June  20,  1902,  in  consideration  of  $1,  Leon  D.  Pope 
and  wife  Bertha,  Frank  Peck  and  wife  Kate,  and  Nathaniel  Finch 
and  wife  Adelia  deeded  a  building  lot  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Toddsville.   The  Church  Extension  Society  made  pos- 


7i8 


Wyoming  Conference 


sible  a  church  by  donating  $250  to  the  society.  The  church  has  a 
fine  basement,  with  furnace  room,  kitchen,  and  dining  room,  and 
the  auditorium  and  League  rooms  can  be  thrown  together.  It 
has  memorial  windows  and  is  neatly  finished  throughout.  It  cost 
$2,200,  and  was  dedicated  on  September  28,  1902,  by  Revs.  T.  F. 
Hall,  D.D.,  and  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D. 

Hyde  Park  is  three  miles  below  Cooperstown,  and  but  a  short 
distance  from  Toddsville.  Some  time  before  the  church  was 
built  meetings  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  at  Hope  Factory,  in 
the  stone  schoolhouse  across  the  river,  below  Phenix,  and  in  the 
house  of  Cornelius  Teachout  (now  occupied  by  his  son-in-law, 
Henry  C.  Winsor).  Students  from  Cooperstown  Seminary  used 
to  preach  here  frequently.  The  class  formed  a  part  of  Coopers- 
town charge  from  its  origin  until  1902,  when  it  became  a  part  of 
Hartwick  charge. 

The  class  was  organized  in  1858  by  Rev.  John  T.  Crippen.  On 
February  26,  1859,  the  society  met  at  the  home  of  Cornelius 
Teachout  for  the  purpose  of  incorporation.  E.  Swartwout  and 
George  Kirby  presided,  and  Andrew  Losee,  George  Kirby,  and 
Cornelius  Teachout  were  elected  trustees.  The  corporate  name 
of  the  society  is  "The  Trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
of  Hyde  Park."  On  October  10,  1859,  Cornelius  Teachout  and 
wife  Eliza  deeded  the  society  the  lot  on  which  the  church  was 
already  built  for  $1.  The  church  cost  about  $800.  It  is  claimed 
that  Mr.  Teachout  not  only  gave  the  lot,  but  drew  the  lumber, 
boarded  the  workmen,  and  contributed  about  $500  toward  the 
enterprise.  The  building  was  dedicated  on  October  13,  1859, 
Rev.  J.  Shank  preaching  in  the  morning.  Rev.  J.  T.  Crippen  in 
the  afternoon,  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Wells  in  the  evening. 

Several  gracious  revivals  have  stirred  the  community  and  added 
strength  to  the  society. 

Pastorates 

1848-49,  William  Bixby;  1850-51,  J.  T.  Wright;  1852-53,  W. 
Southworth;  1854-55,  J-  Shank;  1856-57,  Lewis  Hartsough ; 
1858,  L.  C.  Queal,  P.  Hughston;  1859,  L.  C.  Queal;  i860,  W.  C. 
McDonald;  1861,  S.  Comfort;  1862-63,  L.  H.  Stanley;  1864-65, 
W.  R.  Lynch;  1866-68,  Austin  Griffin;  1869-70,  L.  Cole;  1871, 
J.  L.  Wells;  1872-74,  J.  V.  Newell;  1875,  J.  C.  Shelland;  1876-78, 
A.  J.  Cook;  1879-80,  A.  F.  Brown;  1881-83,  H.  G.  Harned;  1884- 
86,  R.  C.  Gill;  1887,  C.  C.  Vrooman;  1888-90,  E.  Kilpatrick; 
1891-93,  A.  Wrigley;  1894-97,  H.  A.  Greene;  1898-1903,  A.  D. 
Finch. 


Lanesboro,  Pa. 


719 


Lanesboro,  Pa. 

Lanesboro  Circuit  was  detached  mainly  from  the  Bainbridge 
Circuit  in  1833,  and  held  its  last  quarterly  meeting  June  14,  185 1, 
supplemented  by  a  meeting  of  the  official  board  on  July  19,  185 1. 
The  circuit  included  the  eastern  part  of  Broome  County,  N.  Y., 
the  northern  part  of  Wayne  County,  Pa.,  and  the  northeastern 
part  of  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  and  was  about  thirty  miles  in 
length,  from  north  to  south,  and  fifteen  miles  in  width.  It  had 
eleven  appointments  at  formation,  each  to  be  filled  once  in  two 
weeks.  Schoolhouses  and  private  houses  were  used  as  places  of 
worship.  This  necessitated  five  week-day  appointments  which 
were  usually  at  4  p.  m.  in  summer  and  at  ''early  candle  light"  in 
winter. 

There  being  no  church  of  any  kind  on  the  circuit,  the  first 
quarterly  meeting  was  held  outside  of  its  limits,  in  the  village  of 
Windsor,  N.  Y.,  as  was  the  case  with  the  first  quarterly  meetings 
for  the  years  1834  and  1835. 

Palmer  Owen  was  a  local  deacon,  and  one  of  the  stewards  of 
the  circuit  for  about  ten  years.  He  was  a  good  and  useful  man. 
He,  however,  became  dissatisfied,  and  subsequently  he  and  several 
other  members  identified  themselves  with  the  Protestant  Meth- 
odist Church.  On  June  17,  1842,  he  was  expelled  for  disorderly 
conduct. 

In  1833  Joseph  Dow,  Jr.,  was  advanced  from  exhorter's  to 
local  preacher's  rank.  He  was  a  good  speaker  and  singer  and  a 
useful  man,  and  became  a  local  deacon.  In  1845  he  signed  the 
following  statement:  "I,  Joseph  Dow,  do  firmly  and  sincerely 
disbelieve  in  the  doctrine  of  the  endless  punishment  of  the  human 
family,  and  also  the  existence  of  an  evil  and  powerful  spirit  or 
personal  being  called  the  devil,  as  is  generally  supposed  to  exist, 
and  that  the  above  doctrines  are  taught  in  the  Bible."  Of  course 
he  was  tried  and  expelled  from  the  Church.  He  subsequently 
became  an  avowed  infidel.  However,  in  his  old  age,  he  returned 
to  his  former  faith  and  "died  in  the  Lord." 

John  Dickinson,  an  exhorter,  became  a  Protestant  Methodist 
preacher. 

William  Wooley  was  received  from  this  charge  into  the  Oneida 
Conference.  He  married  injudiciously,  and  retired,  went  West, 
and  labored  under  the  elder  a  few  years,  returned,  and  sought 
admission  to  the  Conference.  Failing  to  be  admitted,  he  united 
with  the  Presbyterians  and  preached  for  them. 

Another  official  of  these  early  days  was  John  Comfort,  Esq., 


720 


Wyoming  Conference 


of  Lanesboro,  father  of  Dr.  Silas  Comfort ;  grandfather  of  George 
Comfort,  the  educator,  of  Rev.  George  Comfort,  for  many  years 
in  Montana,  and  of  Rev.  James  H.  Cargill;  father-in-law  of  Dr. 
Nelson  Rounds  and  Dr.  ^^'illiam  Reddy ;  and  grandfather  of  Rev. 
G.  H.  Blakeslee.  He  was  a  wise  and  incorruptible  magistrate,  and 
given  to  hospitality.  He  was  accustomed  to  say  on  quarterly 
meeting  occasions,  "Send  as  many  to  my  house  as  I  have  boards 
in  my  floor."   He  was  the  first  recording  steward  of  the  circuit. 

In  1840  three  Sunday  schools  existed  on  the  circuit,  one  of 
which  was  at  Tallmansville  (Lake  Como),  which  had  been  in 
existence  several  seasons.  In  this  year  Nathaniel  Lewis's  name 
appears  as  a  local  preacher.   He  was  an  elder,  ordained  by  Bishop 


LANESBORO  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


Asbury,  and  the  society  with  which  he  was  connected  was  this 
year  taken  from  the  Brooklyn  Circuit  and  connected  w^ith  this 
circuit.  In  his  younger  days  Lewis  was  known  as  an  industrious 
and  intelligent  young  man.  He  lived  on  that  side  of  the  Susque- 
hanna River  now  embraced  in  Oakland,  and  near  the  Great  Bend 
line.  The  place  where  he  lived  was  called  Susquehanna,  and  was 
three  miles  down  the  river  from  Lanesboro.  Lewis  was  employed 
a  great  deal  by  John  Holborn,  who  was  led  to  admire  his  religious 
zeal.  He  accordingly  advised  Lewis  to  procure  a  license  to 
preach  in  conformity  with  the  rules  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  ^Ir.  Lewis  being  a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of 
^Methodism  and  fully  competent  to  teach.  He  did  so,  and  became 
a  power  in  this  territor}\  He  was  talented,  laborious,  and  had 
much  to  do  with  the  planting  of  Methodism  in  these  parts. 


Lanesboro,  Pa. 


721 


The  wealthiest  member  of  the  class  to  which  Lewis  belonged 
was  Isaac  Hale,  whose  daughter  Emma  married  Joseph  Smith, 
the  founder  of  Mormonism. 

In  1846  the  circuit  comprised  "Lanesboro,  a  small  place  about 
three  miles  farther  up  the  river,  Starrucca  in  a  ballroom,  Thomp- 
son in  a  schoolhouse,  Ararat,  Tallmansville,  Scott,  Hale's  Eddy, 
Woodmansee,  Little  York,  etc.,  twelve  places  in  all."  This  year 
the  pastor  sold  $1,000  worth  of  Book  Concern  publications  on 
the  circuit. 

A  short  time  before  Rev.  C.  V.  Arnold's  death  we  asked  him 
to  give  us  the  circuit  as  he  served  it.  Here  it  is:  Lanesboro 
Church,  Susquehanna  Schoolhouse,  South  Harmony  Schoolhouse, 
Maple  Grove  Schoolhouse,  South  Windsor  Schoolhouse,  Mc- 
Kune  Schoolhouse,  Jenkins  Schoolhouse,  Ararat  Schoolhouse, 
Hine's  Corners  Schoolhouse,  Ira  Cargill's  house,  Starrucca 
Church,  Tallmansville  Schoolhouse,  Woodmansee  Schoolhouse, 
Lake  Como  at  Lakin's  house,  McClure  Church,  Gulf  Summit 
Schoolhouse,  Creek  Settlement  Schoolhouse,  Bettsburg  Springs 
Schoolhouse,  Hill  Lake  Schoolhouse,  and  Starrucca  Stone 
Quarry. 

In  185 1  Lanesboro  and  Susquehanna  became  a  separate  charge, 
and  the  Lanesboro  Circuit  went  into  history,  Sanford  Circuit 
becoming  its  successor.  In  1855  the  present  Lanesboro  charge 
appears. 

The  following  charges  have  been  formed  from  the  old  Lanes- 
boro Circuit:  Susquehanna,  Thompson,  Ouaquaga,  Hale's  Eddy, 
Lake  Como,  McClure,  Sanford,  and  Lanesboro. 

At  Lanesboro  meetings  were  held  in  barns  in  summer  and 
private  houses  in  winter  until  the  log  schoolhouse  was  built,  when 
it  was  used  for  worship  until  the  church  was  built. 

The  names  of  the  original  class,  which  was  formed  as  early  as 
1812,  cannot  be  given  with  certainty.  However,  it  is  known  that 
John  Comfort  and  wife,  Nathaniel  Lewis  and  wife,  Isaac  Hale 
and  wife,  Marmaduke  Salisbury  and  wife,  and  James  Newman 
and  wife  were  members  of  it. 

The  church  at  Lanesboro  was  built  in  1837,  and  first  used  for  a 
quarterly  meeting  service  on  February  10  and  11,  1838.  The 
building  was  erected  by  the  community  in  general,  but  Mr.  Lane, 
the  largest  contributor,  advised  deeding  it  to  the  Methodist 
church,  because  that  was  the  only  church  organization  in  the 
vicinity.  Until  December,  1847,  this  was  the  only  church  within 
the  bounds  of  the  circuit. 

In  1872  the  building  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $700,  and  was 

46 


722 


Wyoming  Conference 


reopened  on  October  lo,  1872,  Dr.  H.  R.  Clarke  preaching  in  the 
morning  and  D.  D.  Lindsley  in  the  evening.  The  sum  of  $300 
was  raised  during  the  day.  In  1895  it  was  again  repaired,  this 
time  at  a  cost  of  $1,125.  It  was  reopened  on  Thursday,  December 
5,  1895,  Rev.  J.  O.  Woodruff  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
H.  H.  Wilbur  in  the  evening. 

In  1841  a  parsonage  was  built  about  a  half  mile  from  the 
church.  This  became  dilapidated  and  was  sold  about  1877  for 
$600,  at  which  time  the  present  parsonage  by  the  church  was  built, 
costing  $1,400. 

Bethel  Hill  is  one  of  the  appointments  of  this  charge  and  has  a 
comparatively  new  church. 

Stevens  Point  is  another  appointment  of  the  charge.  A  new 
church  was  dedicated  here  on  November  19,  1896,  which  cost 
$1,900. 

Pastorates 

1833-34,  D.  Torry;  1835-36,  P.  G.  White;  1837,  King  Elwell; 
1838,  Alanson  Benjamin;  1839,  A.  Benjamin,  A.  Calder;  1840-41, 
Philo  Blackman;  1842-43,  P.  G.  Bridgeman;  1844-45,  David 
Davis;  1846,  P.  Bartlett;  1847,  P-  Bartlett,  G.  W.  Leach;  1848, 
N.  S.  De  Witt,  G.  W.  Leach;  1849,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1850,  C.  V. 
Arnold;  1851-54,  with  Susquehanna;  1855-56,  S.  G.  Stevens; 
1857,  A.  Brigham;  1858,  W.  Roberts;  1859,  F-  L.  Hiller;  1860- 
61,  G.  R.  Hair;  1862,  F.  Spencer;  1863-64,  S.  Earner;  1865-67, 
J.  W.  Hewitt;  1868-70,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1871,  R.  J.  Kellogg;  1872- 
73,  A.  F.  Harding;  1874,  S.  W.  Spencer;  1875,  S.  W.  Cole;  1876- 
77,  C.  H.  Jewell;  1878-79,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1880-82,  J.  R.  Wagner; 
1883-85,  T.  C.  Roskelly;  1886-87,  William  Bixby;  1888,  P.  R. 
Tower;  1889-92,  C.  L.  Rice;  1893-94,  H.  L.  Hubbard;  1895-97, 
C.  C.  Vrooman;  1898-99,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1900-03,  D.  L.  Meeker. 

Laurens,  N.  Y. 

Methodism  sprang  up  here  in  the  days  of  the  Otsego  Circuit, 
and  when  Otego  Circuit  was  formed  became  a  part  of  that  circuit. 
In  1828  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  united  in  building  a 
church  in  which  the  society  worshiped  until  going  into  its  own 
church,  when  it  sold  its  interest  in  the  union  church  to  the  Pres- 
byterians. 

On  January  22,  1844,  the  society  met  in  the  schoolhouse  for 
incorporation.  John  Phillips  and  Elkanah  Johnson  presided,  and 
Elkanah  Johnson,  John  Phillips,  William  Mosher,  Samuel  Patten- 


Laurens,  N.  Y. 


723 


gill,  and  George  W.  Powell  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  Laurens 
Methodist  Episcopal  Society."  On  February  23,  1844,  Gideon 
Cornell  deeded  the  society  thirty-one  rods  of  land,  in  consider- 
ation of  $100.  The  church  was  built  on  this  lot  the  same  season, 
costing  $1,500. 

in  1868  the  building  was  remodeled,  galleries  removed,  and  the 
pulpit  put  in  the  opposite  end  of  the  church,  with  some  minor 
improvements.  It  was  reopened  on  November  12,  1868,  Rev. 
William  Bixby  preaching  in  the  morning.  Rev.  J.  L.  Wells  in  the 
afternoon,  and  Rev.  W.  G.  Queal  in  the  evening.  In  1884  $1,350 
was  spent  in  building  an  alcove  for  the  pulpit,  reseating,  and 
other  improvements.  It  was  reopened  on  December  11,  1884,  Rev. 
H.  M.  Crydenwise  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  N.  Lee 
in  the  evening  and  conducting  the  dedicatory  service.  During  the 
day  $300  was  raised.   In  1899  $300  was  spent  in  recarpeting,  etc. 

The  parsonage  is  across  the  road  from  the  church,  and  was 
built  in  1 87 1  on  land  purchased  of  William  Strong  for  $400. 

On  June  4,  1888,  the  society  reincorporated.  A.  Davis  and  J.  F. 
Newell  presided  at  the  meeting  called  for  that  purpose,  and  J.  N. 
Mead,  A.  S.  Allen,  A.  G.  Davis,  J.  F.  Newell,  and  L.  A.  Sergent 
were  elected  trustees  of  *'The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  the 
Village  of  Laurens." 

Stephen  Strait  and  J.  N.  Mead  have  been  members  and  officials 
here  about  fifty  years. 

Glorious  revivals  were  experienced  just  after  the  church  was 
built,  and  in  1850,  1882,  1889,  and  1896. 

John  Phillips,  Dexter  Johnson,  Jacob  Richardson,  George 
Brightman,  and  Philander  Camp  were  among  the  members  of  the 
church  when  it  was  built. 

Oneonta  Plains  is  about  seven  miles  south  of  Laurens  and  two 
miles  west  of  Oneonta.  We  know  nothing  very  definite  about 
Methodism's  early  days  here.  The  society  is  supposed  to  have 
been  formed  about  1820.  The  church  was  built  in  1843  on  a  lot 
bought  of  Lyman  Toles  for  $150,  and  cost  $1,800.  Prior  to  the 
erection  of  the  church  the  society  used  barns  in  the  summer  and 
private  houses  in  the  winter. 

In  1878  $1,000  was  expended  in  removing  the  galleries  and 
other  improvements.  The  reopening  occurred  on  Thursday, 
December  12,  1878,  Rev.  G.  W.  Izer,  of  Cortland,  preaching  at 
10.30  A.  M. 

The  society  met  for  incorporation  on  September  18,  1867.  San- 
ford  Shepherd  and  James  C.  Sheldon  presided,  and  John  M. 


724 


Wyoming  Conference 


Packard,  Sanford  Shepherd,  and  James  C.  Sheldon  were  elected 
trustees.  The  corporate  name  of  the  society  is  "The  Trustees  of 
the  Oneonta  Plains  Methodist  Episcopal  Church." 

This  class  probably  formed  a  part  of  Otsego  Circuit,  and  sub- 
sequently a  part  of  Otego  Circuit. 

From  1877  to  1882  it  was  a  charge  and  served  as  follows:  1877- 
78,  E.  W.  Lockwood;  1879,  M.  Dorr  Sill;  1880,  W.  F.  Albrecht; 
1881,  N.  P.  Ripley;  1882,  E.  B.  Olmstead.  In  1883  it  was  placed 
with  Laurens. 

Henry  Shepherd  and  Aaron  Richard  have  held  official  positions 
over  thirty  years. 

Extensive  revivals  were  experienced  in  1870  and  1891. 

Richardson  Hill,  now  called  Wilbur  Lake,  is  about  three  miles 
from  Laurens,  The  society  is  the  result  of  a  revival  promoted 
by  John  Marble,  a  local  preacher  from  Oneonta,  assisted  by  his 
brother  James,  and  Edward  Shove,  from  the  same  place.  The  class 
was  organized  on  November  10,  1854.  Among  the  first  members 
were  Justus  G.  Richardson,  Daniel  Richardson,  Sally  Richardson, 
Elizabeth  and  Benjamin  Richardson,  Samuel,  Amy  A.,  and  Edwin 
Peet,  Benjamin  and  Mary  Travis,  Charlotte  Peet,  Charles  T.  Gif- 
ford,  Mary  Cooley,  Henry  R.  Gifford,  and  Andrew  Richardson. 

On  July  7,  1856,  in  consideration  of  $50,  William  Richardson 
and  wife  Polly  deeded  to  Simon  Green,  Justus  G.  Richardson,  and 
Edwin  Peet,  trustees  of  "The  Alethodist  Episcopal  Society  of 
Laurens,  Oneonta,  and  Milford,"  a  site  for  a  church.  The  building 
30x40,  was  dedicated  the  first  Tuesday  in  January,  1857,  ^^^^  "^^'^^ 
erected  mainly  through  the  influence  of  Simon  Green  and  Justus 
G.  Richardson,  and  cost  $1,200.  Justus  G.  Richardson  was  the 
first  class  leader. 

In  1900  it  was  recarpeted  and  otherwise  improved. 

The  class  formed  a  part  of  the  Laurens  charge  from  its  founda- 
tion until  1859,  when  it  was  placed  with  Oneonta,  where  it  re- 
mained until  1863,  and  then  returned  to  Laurens.  Since  1883 
it  has  held  Quarterly  Conference  relations  with  Laurens,  but  its 
pulpit  has  been  supplied  by  Rev.  Henry  Gifford,  a  local  preacher 
who  is  now  living  at  Oneonta,  and  who  has  been  a  member  of  the 
society  many  years. 

In  1870  the  society  was  visited  by  an  extensive  revival. 

Pastorates 

1848,  G.  C.  Elliott;  1849,  G.  C.  Elhott,  E.  Dennison;  1850-51, 
William  Southworth;  1852-53,  C.  G.  Robinson;  1854,  D.  C. 
Dutcher;  1855-56,  H.  S.  Richardson;  1857,  Samuel  M.  Stone; 


McClure,  N.  Y. 


725 


1858-59,  L.  Bowdish;  1860-61,  R.  Townsend;  1862-63,  A.  Griffin; 
1864,  L.  E.  Marvin;  1865-66,  B.  B.  Carrtith;  1867-69,  J.  W. 
Mevis;  1870-72,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen ;  1873-75,  J.  S.  Soiithworth; 
1876-77,  B.  P.  Ripley;  1878,  A.  S.  Clark;  1879-81,  H.  A.  Blanch- 
ard;  1882,  A.  F.  Chaffee;  1883-84,  E.  B.  Olmstead;  1885-86,  H. 
B.  Benedict;  1887-89,  D.  Personeiis ;  1890,  W.  M.  Shaw;  1891- 
93,  W.  H.  Alger ;  1894,  M.  S.  Buckingham ;  1895-96,  E.  E.  Pearce ; 
1897-99,  G.  McChesney;  1900-02,  W.  S.  Adams;  1903,  J.  R. 
Austin. 

McClure,  N.  Y. 

The  information  secured  concerning  this  charge  is  very  meager 
indeed.  It  is  claimed  that  there  was  an  appointment  at  Alexander 
Hill,  not  far  from  the  McClure  church,  as  early  as  1830,  perhaps 
earlier,  and  that  the  present  society  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  class 
formed  there.  The  territory  formed  a  part  of  the  Lanesboro  Cir- 
cuit until  it  became  a  charge  in  1851,  and  was  known  as  the  San- 
ford  charge  until  1887,  when  it  took  the  name  of  McClure. 

A  camp  meeting  was  held  at  McClure  Settlement  in  1839  by 
Rev.  George  Peck,  at  that  time  presiding  elder  on  Susquehanna 
District. 

On  September  11,  1843,  at  a  meeting  over  which  P.  G.  Bridge- 
man  and  Henry  Bunker  presided,  the  society  became  incorporated 
as  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Town  of  San- 
ford,"  and  elected  Henry  Bunker,  John  W.  Sheldon,  Calvin  Shel- 
don, Philip  Underwood,  and  Peter  Underwood  trustees.  On 
April  3,  1863,  the  society  again  incorporated,  with  Calvin  Sheldon, 
Henry  S.  Gregory,  John  W.  Sheldon,  Stephen  Post,  and  Jonas 
Underwood  trustees.  On  March  15,  1873,  the  society  again  in- 
corporated, electing  James  A.  Johnson,  Stephen  B.  Post,  and  Peter 
D.  Underwoood  trustees,  and  taking  the  corporate  name  of 
"McClure  Settlement  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Sanford." 

The  church  was  dedicated  on  October  27,  1849,  R^v.  D.  A. 
Shepard  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon  at  11  a.  m. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  McClure. 

Sanford  is  three  miles  north  of  McClure.  The  class  was  organ- 
ized prior  to  1850  and  formed  a  part  of  Lanesboro  Circuit.  The 
church,  which  cost  $1,100,  was  dedicated  on  Saturday,  August 
6,  1859,  2  p.  M.,  Rev.  William  Wyatt  preaching  the  sermon 
of  the  day.  The  site  for  the  church  was  donated  by  Grover  Pin- 
ney.  The  schoolhouse  had  been  used  by  the  society  some  years 
before  the  building  of  the  church. 


726 


Wyoming  Conference 


Danville  is  five  miles  southeast  of  McClure.  The  church  is 
said  to  have  been  built  thirty-five  years  ago,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$600. 

Farnham  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment,  three  miles  west  of 
McClure.  The  class  was  organized  in  1899  by  the  Rev.  J. 
Humphrey,  and  contained  eighteen  members. 

Pastorates 

1851-52,  R.  S.  Rose;  1853-54,  G.  W.  Leach;  1855-56,  F.  Spen- 
cer; 1857,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1858-59,  W.  Shelp;  1860-61,  S.  Earner; 
1862,  W.  Smith;  1863-64,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1865,  W.  W.  Welch; 
1866-67,  R-  Varcoe;  1868-70,  D.  Wilhams ;  1871-73,  I.  P. 
Towner;  1874-76,  J.  D.  Bloodgood;  1877-78,  S.  W.  Spencer; 
1879-81,  A.  Wrigley;  1882-83,  H.  A.  Blanchard ;  1884-85,  E.  A. 
Baldwin;  1886,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1887-89,  R.  C.  Gill;  1890-92,  C.  C. 
Vrooman;  1893-96,  J.  H.  Taylor;  1897-98,  Jonathan  Weston; 
1899-1901,  J.  Humphrey;  1902-03,  1.  L.  Bronson. 

Masonville,  N.  Y. 

Since  1800  Masonville  Corners  has  had  Methodist  services. 
At  first  the  Methodist  preachers  came  from  the  Susquehanna 
Valley.  When  Chenango  Circuit  was  formed  it  became  a  part 
of  that  circuit,  and  at  the  organization  of  Bainbridge  Circuit  fell 
within  its  bounds.  One  writer  claims  that  Masonville  was  with 
Bainbridge  from  1822  to  1852.  This  cannot  be,  as  it  was  one  of 
the  appointments  on  Deposit  Circuit  at  its  formation  in  1833.  It 
was  not,  however,  in  1845.  Just  how  long  it  was  a  part  of  Deposit 
Circuit  we  have  been  unable  to  ascertain.  It  is  also  claimed  that 
Masonville  was  a  part  of  Cannonsville  Circuit  for  a  while. 

In  1852  "Masonville"  was  formed,  which  included  Masonville, 
Groat  Settlement  (now  Whitman),  East  Masonville,  and  Tacoma. 
The  first  appointment  was  from  Bainbridge,  and  the  last  three 
from  Cannonsville  Circuit. 

Groat  Settlement  and  Tacoma  are  abandoned,  the  members 
having  joined  Masonville  and  Trout  Creek.  Work  at  Tacoma 
ceased  about  1893.  The  Masonville  charge  now  includes  Mason- 
ville, East  Masonville,  and  Bennettsville. 

The  Masonville  church  was  built  in  185 1  at  a  cost  of  $1,200, 
and  was  dedicated  in  the  same  year  by  the  Rev.  William 
Reddy.  The  trustees  at  the  time  were  Harlow  Bundy,  Sanford 
Bundy,  Festus  Cleveland,  Josiah  Cleveland,  Chandler  Bartlett, 
and  Mr.  Foster,  each  of  whom  promised  $150  toward  the  enter- 


Masonville,  N.  Y. 


prise — the  balance  of  the  $1,200  being  raised  from  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  society.  Festus  Cleveland  prophesied  that  the  first 
service  to  be  held  in  the  new  church  would  be  his  funeral  service. 
The  prophecy  was  fulfilled. 

The  building  was  remodeled  and  put  into  its  present  shape  in 
1872,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  In  1879  a  classroom  was  added  to  the 
church  and  some  minor  improvements  made.  One  thousand  dol- 
lars was  spent  in  1889  for  stained-glass  windows,  tin  roof,  and 
other  improvements,  and  in  1893  the  audience  room  was  recar- 
peted,  relighted,  and  otherwise  made  attractive. 

The  society  received  $2,500  from  the  estate  of  John  Rifenbark 
in  1902,  with  the  expectation  of  about  $700  more.  He  gave  as 
the  reason  for  his  bequest  that  he  owed  all  he  was  to  the  Mason- 
ville  church,  in  which  he  was  converted. 

The  first  parsonage  was  about  one  half  mile  west  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  the  lot  contained  two  acres  of  land.  This  property 
was  purchased  in  1865  for  $1,500,  and  was  exchanged  in  1895 
for  the  present  parsonage  property  near  the  church,  the  society 
paying  $320  to  effect  the  exchange. 

Masonville  has  experienced  a  number  of  revivals.  The  revival 
of  1887-88,  from  which  one  hundred  and  forty-one  probationers 
were  received,  was  probably  the  largest  revival  in  the  history 
of  the  church. 

East  Masonz'ille  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  four  miles  east 
of  Masonville.  Work  began  here  at  an  early  day,  but  we  know 
nothing  about  its  beginning.  It  was  a  part  of  Deposit  Circuit 
in  1833,  and  subsequently  a  part  of  Cannonsville  Circuit. 

Bennettsville  is  four  miles  west  of  Masonville.  The  society 
here  was  organized  on  June  17,  1895,  in  a  room  of  N.  T.  Mor- 
gan's residence,  14x18  feet,  and  had  twenty-one  members. 
Worship  was  continued  in  this  room  until  July  i,  1896,  when 
increased  attendance  made  it  necessary  to  hire  the  Bennett  hall. 
A  revival  was  soon  held,  which  added  to  the  strength  of  the 
class.  In  January,  1897,  the  society  purchased  the  present  prop- 
erty, a  large  house,  originally  a  store,  and  one  half  acre  of  land, 
for  $330.  By  removing  a  partition  a  room  was  secured  which 
will  seat  one  hundred  and  thirty  people.  Some  secondhand  pews 
were  purchased  from  the  Methodist  church  of  Nineveh,  an  or- 
gan and  pulpit  furniture  bought,  and  some  minor  improvements 
made  costing  $150.  This  gives  the  society  a  comfortable  place 
for  worship,  a  kitchen,  and  a  room  for  prayer  and  social 
meetings. 


728 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1852-53,  L.  Hartsough;  1854-55,  Joel  Davis;  1856,  R.  O.  Bee- 
be;  1857,   ;   1858,  A.   Benjamin;    1859,   5  i860, 

A.  C.  Smith;  1861,  T.  M.  Williams;  1862,  W.  Southworth;  1863, 
Samuel  Moore;  1864-66,  Timothy  Willis;  1867-68,  G.  M.  Mead; 
1869-71,  R.  S.  Southworth;  1872-73,  L.  A.  Wild;  1874-75,  G.  E. 
Hathaway;  1876,  A.  Brown;  F.  P.  Taylor;  1877,  A.  Brown; 
1878,  A.  F.  Harding;  1879-81,  C.  W.  Todd;  1882-83,  H.  H. 
Wilbur;  1884-86,  C.  H.  Marsh;  1887-89,  C.  B.  Personeus;  1890- 
92,  J.  H.  Taylor;  1893-94,  G.  B.  Stone;  1895,  L.  V.  Wood;  1896- 
98,  Joshua  Brundle;  1899-1900,  W.  S.  Wilcox;  1901-02,  G.  G. 
McChesney ;  1903,  A.  A.  Callendar. 

MiDDLEFIELD,  N.  Y. 

One  of  the  earliest  centers  of  Methodism  in  central  New  York 
was  at  Middlefield  Center,  which  we  will  first  notice.  Here  was 
the  Peck  homestead.  We  quote  from  Rev.  J.  K.  Peck:  "As  the 
traveler  takes  his  way  from  the  village  of  Cherry  Valley  toward 
Cooperstown  he  will  soon  pass  the  birthplace  [of  George  Peck], 
a  little  to  the  left  of  the  turnpike,  two  miles  east  of  Middlefield 
Center.  .  .  .  The  family  is  a  movable  family,  and  the  children  are 
all  itinerants.  Their  first  move  was  one  hundred  miles  toward 
the  northwest  in  a  straight  line,  but  a  good  many  more  miles 
than  that  by  any  road  they  could  then  travel.  Their  next  move 
was  to  be  only  two  miles.  So,  selling  their  land,  house,  and 
shop,  they  packed  up  their  goods  and  chattels  and  went  to  Mid- 
dlefield Center.  The  house  had  already  been  built  on  the  knoll 
at  the  right  of  the  turnpike  and  several  rods  from  it.  The  plot 
was  a  triangle,  with  its  eastern  corner  at  the  place  where  the 
schoolhouse  now  stands,  and  where  it  has  stood  for  nearly  ninety 
years.  The  northern  corner  was  where  the  great  elm  tree  now 
stands,  and  has  stood  since  the  family  moved  there.  The  south 
corner  is  where  the  present  line  fence  makes  a  corner  with  the 
road  line,  a  hundred  feet  or  so  from  the  foot  of  the  little  hill 
which  is  descended  as  soon  as  one  passes  the  schoolhouse  on  the 
way  to  Cooperstown.  Eight  years  ago,  or  in  the  summer  of 
1886,  I  walked  over  and  around  that  triangular  farm  and  stood 
under  the  spreading  arms  of  that  ancient  elm  and  walked  around 
the  schoolhouse.  I  approached  the  ancient  well  almost  breath- 
lessly, and  asked  my  friend,  Ts  this  really  the  Luther  Peck  well?' 
And  he  responded  promptly,  Tt  certainly  is.'  I  looked  down 
into  its  depths  for  several  seconds  and  grasped  an  apple  that 


MiDDLEFIELD  CeNTER,  N.  Y. 


729 


hung  on  a  limb  that  reached  out  over  the  well,  so  that  the  apple 
would  have  fallen  into  the  water  if  it  had  been  shaken  from  the 
tree.  There  had  hung  the  old  oaken  bucket,  the  ironbound 
bucket  that  had  made  its  hourly  trips  into  the  deep  shaft  and  as 
often  returned  laden  with  the  cool  beverage,  and  I  knew  that 
the  ironbound  bucket  was  bound  by  the  bands  that  Grandfather 
Peck  made,  and  I  knew  further  that  all  the  sons  and  daughters 
of  Luther  Peck  had  seen  their  faces  reflected  from  the  surface 
of  that  natural  mirror  in  its  stone  frame  and  that  they  all  had 
slaked  their  thirst  from  its  healthful  waters ;  and  I  knew  further 
that  every  itinerant  minister  that  had  traveled  along  that  old 
turnpike  for  seventeen  years  had  drank  from  that  well.  There 
Freeborn  Garrettson,  Jonathan  Newman,  David  Dunham,  Mat- 
thew Van  Dusen,  Benoni  Harris,  the  odd  and  strange,  short  and 
loud-voiced;  Benjamin  Bidlack,  the  warrior;  Asa  Cummings, 
Seth  Mattison,  and  a  great  many  others,  had  drank  from  that 
well  and  gone.  The  silent  face  of  the  water  could  not  speak  to 
me,  and  it  told  no  story.  Rachel  had  met  her  lover  often  at  this 
well,  and  so  had  Martha.  Father  White  and  Loren  Grant  had 
drank  there,  the  former  the  spiritual  father  of  nearly  all  the 
family,  and  the  latter  a  very  near  friend  of  all  the  children.  On 
this  little  three-cornered  farm,  in  the  home  where  love  reigned 
supreme,  were  born  Andrew  Peck,  William  Peck,  and  Jesse 
Truesdell  Peck — Andrew,  April  29,  1800,  the  firstborn  in  the 
nineteenth  century;*  William,  December  7,  1802,  and  Jesse  T., 
April  4,  181 1 ;  Mary,  Anna,  and  Susan  were  also  born  here." 

In  October,  1802,  William  Colbert  was  presiding  elder  of 
Albany  District,  and  visited  Otsego,  stopping  at  Daniel  McCol- 
lum's,  at  whose  house  he  preached.  McCullom's  house  was  the 
regular  preaching  place.  Prayer  meetings  were  also  held  there 
on  Sundays  when  there  was  no  preaching  service.  It  was  in 
this  man's  house  that  George  Peck  made  a  public  profession  of 
religion. 

Alexander  McCollum  settled  on  Red  Creek,  and  his  farm  is 
now  called  the  White  farm.  Daniel  McCollum,  his  son,  was 
stolen  by  the  Indians  when  he  was  but  two  years  of  age,  in  1778. 
After  a  number  of  years  he  was  discovered  by  his  parents  and 
brought  home.  He  married,  and  his  father  gave  him  a  farm. 
His  long  captivity  incapacitated  him  for  successful  business,  and 
he  lost  his  property.  He  subsequently  published  a  narrative  of 
his  life  among  the  Indians.  McCollum's  home  was  not  a  great 
distance  from  the  Pecks. 

*  Mr.  Peck  held^that  the'nineteenth'century  began'in  1800. 


730 


Wyoming  Conference 


Isaac  Green,  who  was  born  in  Greenwich,  Mass.,  in  1757, 
purchased  land  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  north  of  Middle- 
field  Center.  He  had  ten  girls  and  two  boys.  His  home  was  an 
itinerant's  home.  Gardner  Blair  was  from  Massachusetts,  and 
settled  on  the  Bowers  patent  in  1787.  His  home,  and  that  of 
his  son  Joseph,  was  about  four  miles  southeast  of  Middlefield 
Center.  Meetings  were  held  at  Green's  and  Blair's  occasionally, 
and  in  later  years  at  Mr.  Peck's,  after  he  built  his  frame  house. 

On  September  21,  1803,  Mr.  Colbert  rode  to  Joseph  Blair's, 
and  on  the  226.  went  to  Middlefield  Center,  "and  at  night  Sam- 
uel Budd  preached,  and  I  spoke  after  him.  In  this  place  there 
appears  to  be  a  very  happy  society." 

On  November  12,  1803,  the  quarterly  meeting  for  Otsego  Cir- 
cuit was  held  in  Middlefield,  and  on  this  day  Mr.  Colbert  records 
his  arrival  "at  Joseph  Blair's,  cold  and  weary,  about  two  o'clock, 
and  found  that  the  quarterly  meeting,  for  convenience'  sake,  was 
held  at  our  friend  Isaac  Green's,  in  the  neighborhood;  but  as 
we  supposed  the  meeting  would  be  ended  before  we  could  get 
there,  we  kept  the  house.  At  night  we  had  a  tedious  Conference. 
May  the  Lord  restore  peace  to  the  societies !" 

"Monday,  14th,  spent  at  Joseph  Blair's,  and  in  the  evening 
a  few  assembled  to  hold  a  prayer  meeting.  Several  of  our  sis- 
ters were  carried  away  with  ecstasies  of  joy.  I  cannot  but  make 
mention  of  the  sorrows  of  Sister  Green,  on  account  of  her  hard- 
ened daughter,  Sally.  Never  did  I  see  a  mother  in  such  agony 
for  the  salvation  of  a  daughter.  She  prayed  for  her  until  she 
fell  four  or  five  times ;  and  all  this,  with  the  awful  warnings  and 
loving  entreaties  of  others,  brought  not  this  stubborn  mortal  on 
her  knees."    Sally  afterward  came  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

When  Benjamin  Bidlack  served  Otsego  Circuit  he  moved  his 
family  to  Middlefield.  He  "occupied  a  parsonage  which  was 
built,  perhaps,  for  his  special  account.  But  such  a  parsonage  as 
it  was !  The  location  was  in  a  field,  at  a  distance  from  the  road, 
in  a  most  isolated  and  unfrequented  locality.  At  the  east  were 
stretched  out  fields,  and  a  few  farmhouses  were  visible  at  the 
distance  of  one  or  two  miles.  At  the  west  lay  a  deep  gorge  in 
a  steep  slope  of  the  hill,  across  which  was  the  old  graveyard. 
At  the  south  a  deep  dell,  covered  with  a  growth  of  large  white 
pine  and  hemlock  trees,  through  which  murmurs  Red  Creek, 
and  at  the  north  and  west  two  houses  within  a  quarter  of  a 
mile.  The  parsonage  was  built  of  large  pine  logs,  slightly  hewed 
on  the  inside,  with  the  openings  between  them  chinked  and  plas- 
tered with  mud.    It  was  roofed  with  boards  and  slabs,  and  was 


MiDDLEFIELD,  N.  Y. 


about  14x16  feet  in  size.  Here  remained  the  preacher's  family 
alone  during  his  long  absence  upon  his  circuit."  Rev.  J.  K. 
Peck  locates  this  house  thus:  "The  Bidlack  parsonage  would  be 
several  rods  from  the  schoolhouse.  A  straight  line  drawn  from 
the  schoolhouse  to  the  left  of  the  hotel,  crossing  the  road  and 
creek,  and  on  twenty  rods  from  the  creek,  would  be  about  the 
spot." 

All  of  this  concerns  a  class,  once  thrifty,  which  has  passed  out 
of  existence.  There  is  now  no  Methodist  society  at  Middlefield 
Center. 

Middlefield,  for  many  years  called  Clarksville,  is  over  the  hill, 
and  in  a  valley  about  six  miles  from  Middlefield  Center.  It  with 
Westville  constituted  a  charge  a  while.  Subsequently  Gailor 
Hill  and  Middlefield  formed  a  charge.  During  Rev.  Mr.  Tal- 
batt's  pastorate  a  revival  on  the  charge  added  twenty-five  to 
Gailor  Hill  and  fifty-eight  at  Middlefield. 

In  183 1  Middlefield  was  a  part  of  the  Cherry  Valley  Circuit, 
and  in  1835  was  separated  from  that  circuit  and  became  an  ap- 
pointment, with  outlying  preaching  places.  In  185 1  Middlefield, 
Pleasant  Brook,  Gailor  Hill,  and  South  Valley  constituted  the 
charge.  In  1852  Middlefield,  Westville,  and  Pleasant  Brook 
formed  the  charge,  and  now  Middlefield  has  Pleasant  Brook  and 
Roseboom  as  out-appointments. 

On  February  5,  1828,  the  society  met  at  the  home  of  Benja- 
min D.  North,  in  the  village  of  Clarksville,  and  incorporated 
as  "The  Trustees  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  in 
the  Town  of  Middlefield,"  electing  Daniel  Gilbert,  Daniel  North, 
Nathan  Baley,  Daniel  Munroe,  Benjamin  D.  North,  and  Marcus 
Gilbert  trustees.  On  November  10,  1828,  George  Clark  deeded 
the  society  two  acres  of  land  in  consideration  of  $1,  with  this 
proviso  in  the  deed :  should  the  Episcopalians  establish  them- 
selves in  Clarksville  and  demand  it,  one  half  of  the  lot  is  to  be 
given  to  them. 

We  have  no  record  of  the  building  of  the  church,  but  on 
Thursday,  November  15,  i860,  after  being  enlarged  and  im- 
proved, it  was  reopened.  Rev.  John  Shank  preached  in  the 
morning.  Rev.  William  McDonald  in  the  afternoon,  and  Rev. 
J.  T.  Crippen  in  the  evening. 

The  first  parsonage  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  Cherry  Valley 
Creek  from  the  church,  and  nearly  a  half  mile  away.  That  was 
exchanged  for  a  property  near  the  church.  In  1892  the  house 
was  moved  off,  the  foundation  enlarged,  and  the  present  house 
built,  costing  $1,200. 


732 


Wyoming  Conference 


Roseboom  is  about  five  miles  north  of  Middlefield.  This  so- 
ciety was  formerly  a  part  of  Cherry  Valley  charge.  On  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1 86 1,  the  society  met  in  the  schoolhouse  for  incorpora- 
tion. William  Marks  and  Harmon  Rowland  presided  at  the 
meeting.  Michael  Gates,  Gilbert  A.  Fox,  ,  William  Rury, 
Harmon  Howland,  and  Richard  Frink  were  elected  trustees  of 
"The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Roseboom."  The  church, 
which  cost  $1,000,  was  erected  in  1861,  and  dedicated  on  January 
10,  1862,  Rev.  J.  T.  Wright  preaching  in  the  morning,  Rev.  G. 
Bridge  in  the  afternoon,  and  Rev.  J.  T.  Crippen  in  the  evening. 

Pleasant  Brook,  or  Hallsville,  class  is  of  long  standing.  On 
]\Iarch  29,  1847,  the  Episcopal  and  Protestant  IMethodists  met  at 
the  schoolhouse  and  incorporated  "The  First  Methodist  Union 
Church  of  Hallsville,"  electing  Daniel  Eldred,  James  Brown, 
Lewis  Gillett,  Israel  Snyder,  and  Sumner  Pearson  trustees.  The 
Union  Church  was  built  that  year. 

In  1866,  the  two  societies  failing  to  agree,  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal society  sold  its  interest  in  the  church  to  the  Protestants, 
and  on  August  6,  1866,  secured  by  deed  half  an  acre  of  ground 
from  Fayette  Gardner  for  $125.  A  church  was  built  which  cost 
$3,000,  and  was  dedicated  on  November  8,  1866,  Rev.  Messrs. 
Bixby  and  Wells  preaching  the  sermons  of  the  occasion.  This 
church  was  burned  on  May  15,  1901. 

On  September  11,  1902,  the  society  met  at  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church  for  incorporation.  Rev.  T.  J.  Vaughn  pre- 
sided, and  Oziar  Winne,  Othello  Low,  Oziar  Eckerson,  John  G. 
Eldred,  Irving  Brown,  and  Riley  J.  Warren  were  elected  trus- 
tees of  "The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Pleasant  Brook, 
N.  Y." 

Pastorates 

1835-36,  J.  P.  Backus;  1837,  Isaac  Grant;  1838,  L.  Salisbury; 
1839,  L.  C.  Weaver;  1840-41,  J.  Soule;  1842-43,  H.  Halstead; 
1844,  Jacob  Brooker;  1845,  A.  Brown;  1846-47,  William  South- 
worth;  1848-49,  D.  T.  Elliott;  1850,  Wesley  Fox,  Amos  R. 
Wells;  1851-52,  A.  E.  Daniels;  i853,^D.  Davies ;  1854,  J.  Dwelle; 
1855,  W.  Burnside;  1856-57.  W.  C.  McDonald;  1858,  H.  F. 
Rowe;  1859-60,  D.  Potter;  1861,  L.  E.  Marvin;  1862-63,  J.  Da- 
vies;  1864,  S.  H.  Hill;  1865-67,  H.  V.  Talbott;  1868,  D.  R.  Car- 
rier; 1869-70,  H.  M.  Crydenwise;  1871,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1872, 
John  Pilkington;  1873-74,  George  Parsons;  1875-76,  J.  H. 
Boyce;  1877-78,  S.  Homan ;  1879-80,  T.  F.  Hall;  1881,  J.  S. 
Southworth;  1882-84,  A.  Wrigley;  1885,  J.  K.  Peck;  1886-87, 


MiLFORD,  N.  Y. 


733 


W.  R.  Turner;  1888,  R.  P.  Christopher;  1889-90,  H.  A.  Wil- 
liams; 1891-94,  C.  W.  Babcock;  1895-97,  P.  G.  Ruckman;  1898- 
1900,  E.  B.  Singer;  1901-03,  T.  J.  Vaughn. 

MiLFORD,  N.  Y. 

The  introduction  of  Methodism  into  Milford  is  romantic. 
Major  Badger,  who  held  the  chief  office  in  the  town,  was  a  deist 
and  an  opposer  of  the  Christian  religion.  His  influence  was 
great.  In  the  winter  of  1817-18,  while  he  was  in  Albany  on  busi- 
ness, his  wife  came  under  the  influence  of  Methodism  by  attend- 
ing services  in  an  adjoining  town.  Fearing  her  husband,  she 
withheld  this  from  him.  On  Mr.  Badger's  return  he  was  per- 
suaded by  Mr.  Marvin  to  attend  a  Methodist  service  in  an 
adjoining  town.  He  was  favorably  impressed  and,  to  the  sur- 
prise of  his  wife,  invited  the  preacher  to  make  an  appointment 
at  Milford,  and  put  up  with  him.  The  appointment  was  made, 
and  the  service  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse.  The  people  were 
so  favorably  impressed  that  Mr.  Chase  was  invited  to  make  Mil- 
ford a  regular  appointment  on  Otsego  Circuit,  which  was  done. 
A  revival  ensued,  in  which  Major  Eddy,  father  of  Rev.  L.  A. 
Eddy,  of  Oneida  Conference,  and  Major  Badger  were  converted, 
among  others.  Major  Badger  became  a  consistent  and  ardent 
Methodist.   A  society  was  organized  at  once. 

This  was  not  the  first  attempt  to  plant  Methodism  here.  In 
18 1 2  Rev.  Ebenezer  White  attempted  to  open  work  here,  but  was 
so  abused  and  illtreated  by  a  mob  that  he  had  to  desert  the 
town.    (See  Otsego  Circuit.) 

Preaching  services  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  until  the  so- 
ciety built  a  church.  Quarterly  meetings  were  frequently  held 
in  barns  during  the  summer  time,  and  were  seasons  of  great 
spiritual  power. 

The  society  met  at  the  schoolhouse  in  Milford  on  January  8, 
1839,  for  incorporation.  Rev.  Isaac  Grant  and  Albert  West- 
cott  presided,  and  Asa  Eddy,  Daniel  Barney,  Andrew  Shute, 
Jonas  Perry,  and  Richard  Swartwout  were  elected  trustees  of 
"The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  the  Town  of  Milford." 

On  February  22,  1839,  Lawrence  McNamee  deeded  the  so- 
ciety the  lot  upon  which  the  church  stands  for  $350.  The  church 
cost  $1,500,  the  society  contributing  material,  work,  and  money 
as  needed,  and  was  dedicated  in  December,  1839.  The  building 
was  36x50  feet,  with  a  dome  covering  the  bell,  and  the  typical 
inside  furnishings — gallery,  high  pulpit,  and  pews  with  doors. 


734 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  trustees  and  their  families  constituted  the  majority  of  the 
members  at  the  time  the  church  was  built. 

The  first  general  repairs  to  the  church  were  made  in  1869, 
which  time  the  church  was  enlarged  by  an  addition  of  eighteen 
feet  to  the  rear,  the  building  was  raised  and  a  basement  con- 
structed for  prayer  and  Sunday  school  work,  and  the  auditorium 
refurnished,  the  whole  costing  $3,899.28.  The  church  was  re- 
opened on  Thursday,  December  23,  1869.   Rev.  R.  Nelson,  D.D., 


MILFORD  CHURCH 


preached  at  11  a.  m.,  from  2  Cor.  iii,  18.  Rev.  William  Searls 
followed  the  sermon  with  a  financial  statement  and  solicited 
funds,  and  $1,500  was  raised  in  a  little  while.  In  the  evening  he 
preached  from  Rom.  viii,  3. 

In  1877-78  the  building  was  again  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $3,000. 
A  new  foundation,  alcove  for  the  choir,  steeple  made  taller,  base- 
ment fitted  up,  audience  room  repapered  and  kalsomined,  and 
memorial  stained-glass  windows  inserted  to  the  memory  of  Alex- 
ander H.  Cooper,  John  and  Olive  Shute,  George  \^an  Dyke, 
Daniel  Barney,  Asa  and  Sibyl  Eddy,  James  Shute,  Levi  and 
Laura  Stewart,  Martin  and  Sarah  Marvin,  Our  Fathers  and 


MiLFORD,  N.  Y. 


735 


Mothers;  and  three  windows  were  the  gifts  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
W.  D.  Stickney,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  Cronkite,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Temple.  The  expense  was  fully  provided  for  before  the 
reopening,  which  was  on  January  3,  1878.  Dr.  H.  R.  Clarke 
preached  the  reopening  sermon,  Revs.  A.  Griffin  and  W.  G. 
Queal  being  present  and  assisting  in  the  service. 

During  the  fall  and  winter  of  1880  some  repairs  and  changes 
were  made  to  accommodate  a  new  pipe  organ,  which  cost  $1,600, 
the  gift  of  Mrs.  Mary  S.  Brooks.  The  church  was  painted,  new 
sidewalks  laid,  iron  fence  built,  and  some  smaller  improvements 
made,  costing  $400.  The  organ  recital  occurred  on  January  4, 
1881. 

In  1892  $600  was  spent  in  repainting,  repapering,  recarpet- 
ing,  and  reroofing  the  church. 

In  November,  1897,  new  furnaces  were  purchased  and  the 
basement  painted  and  papered  at  a  cost  of  $375,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  the  church  was  painted  by  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  at 
an  expense  of  $180. 

On  April  i,  1858,  Delos  Bartlett  and  wife  Jane,  in  considera- 
tion of  $1,000,  deeded  the  society  the  parsonage  property,  which 
contains  seventy-eight  perches  of  land.  The  house  was  very 
much  improved  in  1895  by  an  outlay  of  $600,  and  in  1898  $100 
was  spent  in  interior  improvements. 

Milford  formed  a  part  of  Otsego  Circuit  until  made  an  ap- 
pointment in  1849. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  several  years  before  the 
church  was  built,  Peter  Bromfield  being  the  first  superintendent. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Albert  Westcott,  and  he  by  John  Eddy, 
brother  of  Rev.  Lyman  Eddy,  who  was  superintendent  many 
years,  and  was  so  devoted  to  his  work  that  he  would  return  from 
New  York  or  Philadelphia,  when  away  on  business,  in  order  to 
be  present  at  the  Sunday  school.  Since  his  work  closed  Marvin 
Clark,  George  Marvin,  Andrew  McLean,  Andrew  Spencer,  S.  N. 
Saxton,  and  S.  H.  Sherman  have  filled  the  office. 

Jesse  Eddy  was  the  first  class  leader.  He  was  followed  in 
office  by  Levi  Stewart,  a  county  judge  of  ability,  Daniel  Barney, 
and  Erastus  Soule.  The  last-named  served  over  sixty  years,  and 
was  greatly  loved.    Nathan  Youmans  is  his  successor. 

A  great  revival  occurred  here  in  the  spring  of  1836.  The 
converts  of  this  meeting  formed  the  mass  of  the  membership 
who  were  instrumental  in  building  the  church  in  1839.  Judge 
Levi  Stewart,  Albert  Westcott,  Mrs.  Reuben  Nelson,  Mrs.  Eliza 
Sayer,  and  Julia  Shute  were  among  the  number.   Another  work 


736 


Wyoming  Conference 


of  grace  of  great  power  occurred  in  1846-47.  The  revival  of 
1857  added  considerable  strength  to  the  society,  Walter  Sticks 
ney  and  "wife  and  David  Wilbur  and  wife  being  among  the 
converts. 

An  eight-weeks'  meeting  began  in  January,  1877,  in  which 
one  hundred  professed  conversion,  seventy  were  received  at  one 
time,  and  fifty-one  were  baptized  at  one  service. 

Several  revivals  have  been  successfully  promoted  before  and 
since,  but  none  so  extensive  in  results. 

Portlandville  was  a  part  of  this  charge  many  years. 

Several  camp  meetings  have  been  held  at  this  place. 

Westville  IMethodism  began  in  1828  in  a  log  schoolhouse  situ- 
ated upon  the  Jared  Sibley  farm,  on  the  west  side  of  Cherry 
Valley  Creek.  Prayer  meetings  were  first  held  and  continued 
to  be  held  for  some  years  with  occasional  preaching  services. 
The  class  when  organized  consisted  of  Orin  Sibley,  Charles  Sib- 
ley, Mary  Ann  Jewell,  Esther  Jewell,  Theron  Denton  and  wife 
Mary,  Homer  Denton,  Anna  Rowland,  James  Van  Valkenburg 
and  wife  Angelica.  Theron  and  Homer  Denton  were  converted 
at  a  camp  meeting  on  Elk  Creek,  and  wxre  prominent  in  church 
work  many  years. 

In  1835  Rev.  James  P.  Backus  conducted  a  revival  here,  the 
meeting  beginning  in  the  red  schoolhouse  that  had  taken  the 
place  of  the  log  schoolhouse,  and  situated  about  a  half  mile 
farther  down  the  creek.  The  congregations  soon  became  so 
large  that  the  schoolhouse  would  not  contain  the  people.  The 
Baptists  opened  the  doors  of  their  church,  and  the  meetings  were 
taken  there,  the  Baptist  pastor  cooperating  in  the  work.  Rev. 
Joel  Denton,  an  honored  local  deacon,  was  converted  at  this 
time.  James  and  Harvey  Eggleston,  Delia  and  Louise  Northrup, 
and  S.  N.  Saxton  were  among  the  converts.  Following  this 
revival  regular  preaching  services  were  established,  and  supplied 
from  Middlefield.  In  summer  quarterly  meetings  were  held  in 
Elijah  A.  Newton's  barn,  across  the  road  from  the  old  school- 
house,  and  were  attended  by  large  numbers  and  great  spiritual 
fervor. 

On  January  29,  1849,  the  society  met  for  incorporation.  Ray- 
mond Saxton  and  James  Hooker  presided,  and  Raymond  Sax- 
ton,  Hiram  Baldwin,  Simeon  N.  Saxton,  John  S.  Oarlock,  Ro- 
dolphus  Newton,  and  Andrew  Bice  were  chosen  trustees  of  ''The 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  of  Westville."  The  lot  for 
the  church  was  donated  by  Elbert  Coats  and  deeded  to  the  so- 


Westville^  N.  Y. 


737 


ciety  on  March  19,  1850.  The  church  was  built  by  contract  for 
$1,000  by  John  S.  Garlock  in  the  summer  of  1849,  dedicated 
on  January  17,  1850,  by  Rev.  Lyman  Sperry.  On  the  day  of 
dedication  $300  was  raised  to  pay  the  balance  of  cost.  The  dedi- 
cation was  followed  by  a  revival  which  continued  one  hundred 
nights.  The  whole  community  was  thoroughly  awakened  and 
many  added  to  the  church,  among  whom  were  Aaron,  Theron, 
and  Henry  Baldwin,  James  Cossart,  Benjamin  Osborn  and  wife, 
William  Nellis  and  wife,  and  Samuel  Bates  and  wife. 

During  the  summer  of  1870  the  building  was  enlarged  by  an 
addition  of  twenty  feet  on  the  rear,  the  interior  remodeled,  a 
new  organ  purchased,  and  other  improvements  made,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  $2,700.  The  church  was  reopened  on  October  27,  1870, 
Rev.  B.  1.  Ives  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  W.  N.  Cobb 
in  the  evening.  Rev.  Joel  Denton  fell  from  the  church  during 
these  repairs,  and  has  been  unable  to  work  since,  having  been  a 
great  sufferer.  Some  minor  repairs  have  since  been  made, 
among  which  was  its  repainting  in  1898. 

The  parsonage  lot  was  bought  of  George  J.  and  Anna  Maria 
Phillips  for  $100,  and  the  parsonage  built  in  1854,  at  a  cost  of 
$800.  It  has  been  kept  in  good  repair,  and  is  now  rented  and 
the  income  used  in  church  work. 

Besides  the  two  great  revivals  mentioned,  the  revivals  of  1857 
and  1886  ought  to  be  named  as  more  than  ordinary.  Several 
successful  ingatherings  have  since  been  enjoyed. 

Theron  and  Joel  Denton  were  early  class  leaders.  S.  N.  Sax- 
ton  was  leader  nearly  forty  years,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his 
son  James. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1830. 

Westville  was  an  appointment  on  the  Middlefield  Circuit 
until  1853,  when  it  became  a  charge.  It  had  been  the  resi- 
dence of  one  of  the  pastors  of  the  circuit  several  years  prior  to 
this. 

We  give  the  pastorates  from  1853  to  1886  when  it  became 
a  part  of  Milford  charge:  1853,  M.  Marvin;  1854  (with  West- 
ville this  year),  J.  Dwelle;  1855-56,  W.  R.  Lynch;  1857-58, 
George  Parsons;  1859-60,  S.  Hill;  1861-62,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1863, 
L.  E.  Marvin;  1864-65,  C  D.  Mead;  1866-67,  James  N.  Piatt; 
1868-69,  H.  A.  Blanchard;  1870,  J.  C.  Shelland;  1871,  A.  W. 
Thompson;  1872,  J.  L.  Wells;  1873-74,  S.  H.  Hill;  1875,  A.  F. 
Harding;  1876-77,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1878,  T.  F.  Hall;  1879,  E. 
W.  Lockwood;  1880-81,  H.  H.  Wilbur;  1882-83,  N.  B.  Ripley; 
1884-85,  W.  Bixby. 
47 


738 


Wyoming  Conference 


Metcalf  Hill  was  a  preaching  place  on  Westville  charge  a 
number  of  years,  and  for  a  short  time  Portlandville,  Coopers- 
town  Junction,  and  Westville  formed  a  charge. 

Crumhorn  Valley,  or  Piatt  Hollow  Church,  was  an  afternoon 
appointment  of  Westville  from  1854  to  1887.  Prior  to  forming 
a  part  of  Westville  charge  it  was  supplied  from  Schenevus  Val- 
ley. The  home  of  Rev.  Nathan  Bangs  was  by  the  side  of  this 
church,  and  his  widow  lived  here  some  years  after  his  death. 
The  society  was  organized  in  1840,  and  the  church  was  built  in 
1841.  It  was  remodeled  in  1867,  and  rededicated  on  Wednes- 
day, February  12,  1868,  by  Rev.  W.  Bixby.  The  building  was 
destroyed  on  September  7,  1887,  by  a  cyclone.  It  is  said  that  not 
a  stick  was  left  of  it. 

Pastorates 

1849,  J-  T.  Wright;  1850-51,  Robert  Fox;  1852-53,  George 

C.  Elliott;  1854-55,  William  Southworth;  1856-57,  L.  C.  Queal ; 
1858-59,  W.  G.  Queal;  1860-61,  J.  W.  Mitchell;  1862,  L.  Hart- 
sough;  1863-64,  William  Watson;  1865-66,  C.  T.  Moss;  1867- 
68,  J.  L.  Wells;  1869,  A.  Griffin;  1870-72,  W.  G.  Queal;  1873- 
75,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen;  1876-78,  A.  B.  Richardson;  1879-81, 

D.  C.  Olmstead;  1882-83,  J.  B.  Sumner;  1884,  F.  L.  Hiller; 
1885-87,  S.  Jay;  1888-89,  G.  T.  Price;  1890-91,  J.  W.  Mevis; 
1892-96,  N.  B.  Ripley;  1897-1901,  F.  H.  Parsons;  1902-03,  W. 
H.  Alger. 

Mount  Vision,  N.  Y. 

A  class  was  formed  on  Bowe  Hill,  east  of  Mount  Vision,  about 
1800.  Among  its  members  were  the  Bowes,  Bissells,  Lanes,  and 
others,  and  it  was  a  flourishing  society. 

About  1802  or  1803  a  society  was  formed  west  of  Mount 
Vision  and  was  known  as  the  Methodist  Hill  society.  The  loca- 
tion is  now  known  as  the  Fall  Brook  neighborhood.  This  so- 
ciety figured  prominently  in  the  building  of  the  church  at  Mount 
Vision.  For  some  time  the  society  used  the  schoolhouse.  On 
November  29,  1837,  society  met  at  Jacksonville  (the  name 
the  village  carried  for  years),  in  the  town  of  Laurens,  for  the 
purpose  of  incorporating.  Rev.  Calvin  Hawley  presided,  and 
Henry  JMosher  acted  as  secretary,  and  Orin  Wilcox,  Caleb 
Armstrong,  Dennis  Barnard,  Henry  Mosher,  and  Harvey  Keyes 
were  elected  trustees.  The  corporate  name  of  the  society  is  "The 
Trustees  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Laurens." 
The  church,  which  was  31x44  feet  and  without  cornice  or 


Mount  Vision,  N.  Y. 


739 


steeple,  was  built  in  1838,  at  a  cost  of  $950.  It  had  a  gallery  for 
the  choir. 

The  following"  were  members  of  the  class  at  the  time  the  church 
was  built:  Orin  Wilcox,  Thompson  Keyes,  Henry  Mosher, 
Caleb  Armstrong-,  Elisha  Armstrong,  Benjamin  Green,  James 
Eaton,  Erastus  Gardner,  Willis  E.  Gardner,  Daniel  Bowe,  Asahel 
Brooks,  Joshua  Duley,  Adam  G.  Bratt,  John  L.  Keyes,  Betsy 
Wilcox,  Mary  Keyes,  Diantha  Mosher,  Betsy  Armstrong,  Po- 
nind  Armstrong,  Marian  Bowe,  Mary  Brooks,  Sally  L.  Eaton, 
Betsy  Green,  Misses  Duley  and  Bratt,  and  Catharine  Kenyon. 

Daniel  Bowe,  from  Bowe  Hill,  was  the  first  class  leader,  and 


MOUNT  VISION  CHURCH 


Henry  Mosher  was  the  first  Sunday  school  superintendent.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Daniel  Wilbor. 

It  is  claimed  that  this  society  had  the  best  choir  in  that  sec-  , 
tion.    It  was  led  by  Elihu  Lane,  who  sang  tenor  and  played  the 
bass  viol,  this  being  the  only  instrument  used.    People  came 
from  a  distance  to  hear  this  choir  of  fifteen  voices  sing. 

The  church  was  rebuilt  in  1846.  Ten  feet  were  added  to  its 
length,  a  cornice  and  belfry  added  to  the  building,  the  inside 
greatly  improved,  and  a  bell  put  in,  at  a  total  cost  of  $1,200. 


740 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  i860  the  building  was  painted  and  papered. 

In  1867  the  building  was  raised  and  a  basement  constructed, 
and  the  auditorium  improved.  N.  G.  Hall  was  the  builder.  The 
repairs  cost  $1,400.  The  reopening  occurred  on  Thursday,  Au- 
gust 8,  1867,  Rev.  William  Bixby  preaching  in  the  morning  and 
Rev.  J.  L.  Wells  in  the  evening.  During  the  time  the  repairs 
were  in  progress  the  society  worshiped  in  the  Baptist  church 
by  invitation. 

In  1882  the  building  was  again  remodeled.  The  repairs  con- 
sisted in  new  pulpit  and  furniture,  new  pews,  carpets,  cushions, 
chandeliers,  and  an  alcove  for  the  choir.  The  pulpit  Bible  was 
presented  by  H.  C.  Cunningham,  of  Port  Jervis,  who  attended 
Sunday  school  here  when  a  boy.  The  improvements  cost  $1,100, 
$200  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  reopening,  December  28, 
1882.  Revs.  F.  L.  Hiller  and  William  Bixby  preached  the  ser- 
mons of  the  occasion.  A  village  camp  meeting  followed  the  re- 
opening. The  trustees  at  this  time  were  T.  M.  Green,  Seth  Gard- 
ner, Landin  King,  H.  Van  Buren,  and  Harvey  Gardner. 

In  November,  1866,  the  trustees  met  to  consider  the  securing 
of  a  parsonage.  It  was  decided  to  buy  a  house  already  built.  On 
March  i,  1867,  Arnold  Carr  and  wife  Elizabeth,  in  consideration 
of  $1,300,  deeded  to  Silas  Marlett,  Cornelius  Lane,  David  Wil- 
bur, Seth  M.  Bissell,  and  Brice  Shove,  the  trustees,  the  present 
parsonage  property,  which  contains  half  an  acre  of  ground.  In 
1889  the  parsonage  was  thoroughly  rebuilt,  and  in  1894  a  new 
barn  was  built,  costing  $240. 

In  the  winter  of  1867  the  society  experienced  the  greatest  re- 
vival of  its  history. 

This  place  formed  a  part  of  Otsego  Circuit  until  the  forma- 
tion of  Hartwick  charge  in  1848,  when  it  constituted  a  part  of 
that  charge.  It  remained  with  Hartwick  until  1898,  when  it 
became  an  appointment.  For  a  long  time  the  pastors  of  Hart- 
wick charge  alternated  in  place  of  residence  between  Mount 
Vision  and  Hartwick. 

Gardnertozvn  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  about  four  miles 
northwest  of  Mount  Vision.  Work  was  opened  here  in  the 
spring  of  1898  by  the  Mount  Vision  pastor.  A  preaching  service 
is  held  biweekly. 

Pastorates 

1898-99,  T.  B.  Miller;  1900-01,  W.  L.  Linnaberry;  1902-03, 
E.  Colwell. 


North  San  ford,  N.  Y. 


741 


North  Sanford,  N.  Y. 

North  Sanford  was  first  on  Bainbridge  Circuit,  then  with 
Masonville,  afterward  with  McClure,  and  in  1884  appeared  as  an 
appointment.  The  society  met  at  the  Anthony  schoolhouse  on 
February  9,  1873.  Charles  S.  Martin  and  Francis  M.  Bixby 
acted  as  judges.  Francis  M.  Bixby,  Andrew  WilHams,  and  Hi- 
ram Blowers  were  chosen  trustees,  and  the  society  became  in- 
corporated as  "The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  North 
Sanford." 

The  lot  for  the  church  was  donated  to  the  society  by  the  Cum- 
mings  sisters,  and  was  valued  at  $100.  The  church  was  built  in 
1873,  and  dedicated  in  June,  1873,  by  Rev.  H.  R.  Clarke.  The 
building  was  improved  in  1889  at  an  expense  of  $263,  and  in 
1900  $660  was  spent  in  purchasing  new  pews,  pulpit  and  chairs, 
carpets,  stoves,  papering,  painting,  Bible,  and  communion  table. 
The  church  was  reopened  on  January  6,  1901.  Rev.  E.  N.  Sabin 
preached  the  sermon,  and  Rev.  T.  F.  Hall  conducted  the  ded- 
icatory service.  No  money  was  raised  on  the  occasion,  as  all 
had  been  previously  secured. 

Prior  to  the  building  of  the  church,  services  were  held  in  the 
Wheeler  schoolhouse,  one  mile  south  of  North  Sanford. 

The  parsonage  property  was  purchased  in  1886,  at  a  cost  of 
$850. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  very  helpful  in  raising 
funds. 

The  present  trustees  are  B.  A.  Colwell,  George  Bilby,  Lafa- 
yette Bilby,  Oscar  Broad,  Martin  J.  Swart,  Barton  Springer,  D. 
Baker,  and  Herbert  Peck. 

This  church  has  been  a  revival  church,  almost  every  pastor 
having  an  ingathering. 

East  Afton  is  four  miles  north  of  Sanford.  The  class  was 
formed  by  Rev.  L.  V.  Lsmond,  who  was  on  the  Bainbridge  Circuit 
in  1867-68.  Meetings  were  held  in  private  houses  and  the  school- 
house  some  time.  The  lot  for  the  church  was  donated  by  a  Mr. 
Hyatt,  and  was  valued  at  $100.  The  church  cost  $2,600,  and  was 
dedicated  by  Rev.  W.  N.  Cobb.  Within  a  few  years  it  has  been 
quite  thoroughly  repaired. 

This  class  was  with  Bainbridge  a  while,  subsequently  with 
Masonville,  and  finally  put  with  North  Sanford. 

Russell  Hill  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  about  four  miles  from 
Afton  and  three  from  North  Sanford.    It  was  supplied  with 


742 


Wyoming  Conference 


preaching  from  Afton  for  a  few  years.  A  Sunday  school  has  been 
in  successful  operation  for  many  years.  Le  Grand  Russell,  Esq., 
and  his  family  have  been  a  prominent  factor  in  the  work  at  this 
point. 

Pastorates 

1884-85,  B.  N.  Butts;  1886-87,  T.  C.  Roskelly;  1888-90,  T. 
Burgess;  1891,  C.  H.  Reynolds;  1892-93,  W.  F.  Boyce;  1894,  J.  J. 
Henry;  1895-97,  B.  F.  Larabee;  1898,  E.  N.  Sabin;  1899,  William 
Mountenay;  1900-01,  A.  H.  Whitaker;  1902-03,  W.  H.  Crawford. 

Oakland,  Pa. 

The  Oakland  class  was  formed  in  1872,  and  in  1873  a  chapel  was 
built  on  State  Street,  in  the  north  end  of  the  borough.  In  1884 
thirty  members  took  their  letters  from  Susquehanna  and  legally 
organized  the  Oakland  church.  The  first  trustees  were  S.  P. 
Moore,  J.  L.  Councilman,  Joel  D.  Brown,  William  Frank,  Gilbert 
Hawkins,  George  Badgley,  and  William  Eastwood.  In  1896  the 
society  purchased  the  present  church  on  Westfall  Street,  in  the 
south  end  of  the  borough,  of  the  Evangelical  Association,  paying 
$800  for  the  same — $25  in  cash  and  a  mortgage  of  $775.  It  was 
built  in  1881.  Nothing  further  was  paid  on  the  contract  until 
October,  1900,  when  the  church  was  dedicated,  and  $1,135  was 
raised,  enough  to  pay  the  principal,  accumulated  interest,  and 
about  $300  for  repairs.  The  repairs  consisted  in  finishing  the 
basement  for  Sunday  school  and  social  purposes  and  introducing 
city  water. 

The  Willing  Helpers  and  Young  Ladies'  Auxiliary  are  valuable 
helpers  in  financial  work,  and  the  Leagues  strong  helpers  in  their 
sphere. 

In  1900  a  revival  added  about  thirty  to  the  society. 

The  purchase  of  the  present  property  caused  a  split  in  the 
society,  about  one  third  of  the  society  remaining  at  the  old  church 
and  holding  the  property. 

It  is  claimed  by  some  that  there  was  a  class  here  earlier  than 
1872,  which  belonged  to  the  Lanesboro  Circuit,  called  McKune's. 
(See  Susquehanna.) 

Preaching  services  were  conducted  by  the  Susquehanna  pastors 
until  1 88 1,  when  Oakland  became  an  appointment. 

Pastorates 


1881,  W.  B.  Kinney ;  1882,  C.  S.  Alexander ;  1883,  G.  C.  Jacobs ; 
1884-85,  G.  W.  Leach;  1886,  T.  M.  Furey;  1887-88,  A.  C.  Sperry; 


Oneonta,  N.  Y. 


743 


1889-93,  A.  Eastman;  1894-95,  B.  R.  Hanton;  1896-97,  W.  R. 
Cochrane;  1898,  F.  N.  Smith;  1899,  W.  L.  Linnaberry;  1900-03, 
W.  M.  Bouton. 

Oneonta,  N.  Y. 

The  class  at  Oneonta  is  beHeved  to  have  been  formed  in  1830 
by  Rev.  George  Harmon,  who  was  the  presiding  elder  of  Che- 
nango District.  He  came  to  Oneonta  upon  the  solicitation  of 
David  T.  Evans.  The  class  consisted  of  about  fifteen  members, 
among  whom  were  Elias  Brewer,  D.  T.  Evans  and  wife,  D.  T. 
Clark  and  wife,  Jacob  Deitz,  Esq.,  and  wife,  and  Caleb  Potter  and 
wife.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  village  schoolhouse,  and  D.  T. 
Clark  and  D.  T.  Evans  were  the  first  class  leaders. 

Its  preachers  were  from  the  Otsego  Circuit  until  1833,  when 
the  Otego  Circuit  was  formed.  It  then  became  a  part  of  the 
Otego  Circuit,  where  it  remained  until  1848,  when  it  became  an 
appointment. 

On  July  25,  1836,  the  society  met  for  incorporation.  Rev.  Alvin 
Torry  presided,  Calvin  Maples  was  clerk,  and  Jacob  P.  Van 
Woert  and  Samuel  N.  Richards  were  judges  of  election.  Abra- 
ham Ward,  Ira  Shepherd,  Jacob  P.  Van  Woert,  Jehiel  Lamb,  and 
Philip  Lobdell  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  Emory  Chapel  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Oneonta."  On  June  10,  185 1, 
the  society  reincorporated  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  church,  over 
which  Edward  B.  Shove  and  Jacob  P.  Van  Woert  presided.  Elias 
F.  Brewer,  Jacob  P.  Van  Woert,  Elisha  Shepherd,  Tromer  Mc- 
Call,  and  David  Bennett  were  chosen  trustees,  and  the  corporate 
name  of  the  society  changed  to  "Trustees  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Society  of  Oneonta  Village." 

In  1840  a  revival  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse,  in  which  many 
were  converted.  In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1843  another  revival 
service  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse.  Many  young  people  were 
converted,  some  of  them  among  the  best  and  brightest  of  the 
village.  This  greatly  strengthened  the  society.  During  the  years 
in  which  the  society  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse  Timothy 
Potter,  a  local  preacher,  was  class  leader  for  a  while.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Caleb  Potter,  of  whom  Rev.  Benjamin  Shove  said 
that  in  all  of  his  wide  and  varied  knowledge  of  class  leaders  he 
never  knew  his  superior. 

In  1848  the  pastor  raised  funds  with  which  to  buy  the  site  for 
the  church,  which  was  deeded  to  the  society  on  March  31,  1849, 
by  Robert  W.  Hopkins  and  wife  Catharine  for  $80.  The  trustees 
at  this  time  were  Jacob  P.  Van  Woert,  Noah  W.  Ripley, 


744 


Wyoming  Conference 


Ebenezer  Soule,  and  Elias  F.  Brewer.  The  church,  costing  $1,500, 
was  built  in  1849  dedicated  on  November  29  of  that  year. 
Rev.  L.  Sperry  preached  in  the  morning  from  Psa.  xcv,  5,  Rev. 
D.  W.  Bristol  in  the  afternoon  from  Matt,  vi,  33,  and  Rev.  J.  T. 
Wright  in  the  evening  from  Rev.  vi,  17.  The  sum  of  $300  was 
raised  during  the  day  to  liquidate  the  indebtedness. 

This  year  is  noted  as  the  year  of  the  great  revival.  A  union 
meeting  was  conducted  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle.   The  results  greatly 


strengthened  all  the  churches  of  the  town.  This  was  the  revival 
in  which  W.  H.  Olin  was  converted. 

In  1868  and  1869  a  new  church  was  built,  44x88  feet,  containing 
a  bell  weighing  sixteen  hundred  pounds.  On  May  12,  1868,  W.  H. 
Hopkins  deeded  the  society  a  house  and  lot  adjoining  the  church 
for  $3,200.  The  parsonage  and  church  enterprise  cost  $14,000, 
$5,500  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication,  Thursday, 
June  3,  1869.  The  church  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  W.  N.  Cobb, 
assisted  by  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives. 

In  1886  the  church  was  enlarged  and  put  into  its  present  shape 
at  a  cost  of  $12,751.  The  dedication  occurred  on  January  12,  1887. 
Bishop  E.  G.  Andrews  preached  at  2  p.  m.  from  John  iv,  24. 
After  the  sermon  $1,926  was  raised  to  completely  provide  for  the 
repairs.  Hon.  David  Wilbur  presided  at  the  evening  service,  and 
Rev.  W.  H.  Olin,  D.D.,  gave  the  address  of  the  evening,  in  which 


ONEONTA  CHURCH 


Oneonta,  N.  Y. 


745 


he  said  that  in  1851  Otego  Circuit  was  composed  of  Otego, 
Clipknockie  (Oneonta),  and  Crafttown.  Brief  addresses  were 
made  by  Revs.  Y.  C.  Smith,  D.  C.  Olmstead,  A.  Griffin,  and  H.  N. 
Van  Deiisen.   Dr.  OHn  was  mistaken  in  the  date. 

In  1894  $1,000  was  spent  in  recarpeting  the  auditorium  and 
refurnishing  the  basement. 

In  1 88 1  a  new  parsonage  costing  $2,000  replaced  the  old  one. 

Mr.  George  I.  Wilbur  donated  the  society  four  shares  of  the 
Oneonta  Water  Company  stock,  and  in  189 1  the  house  which  is 
used  by  the  presiding  elder. 


ONEONTA  PRESIDING  ELDER's  HOUSE 


Mrs.  David  Wilbur  presented  the  church  with  a  pipe  organ 
costing  $3,500  in  1895.  In  order  to  install  it  $1,800  was  expended 
in  enlarging  the  building. 

Oneonta  entertained  the  Conference  in  1875,  i888,"  and  1897. 

For  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  mission  church  the  society 
purchased  a  lot  on  Valley  View  Street  of  Reuben  Reynolds  and 
Fred  Wilcox,  paying  $700  for  the  same.  The  society  still  holds 
the  lot. 

Pastorates 

1848,  W.  C.  McDonald,  E.  Dennison ;  1849  (with  Laurens  this 
year),  G.  C.  ElHott,  E.  Dennison;  1850,  Joseph  Shank;  1851,  J.  M. 
Searles;  1852-53,  Justus  Soule ;  1854-55,  C.  G.  Robinson;  1856- 
57,  W.  G.  Queal;  1858,  S.  M.  Stone;  1859,  D.  L.  Pendell,  S.  M. 
Stone;  i860,  D.  L.  Pendell;  1861-62,  George  Parsons;  1863-64, 
Piatt  T.  Hughston;  1865-66,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen;  1867-69,  R.  W. 


746 


Wyoming  Conference 


Peebles;  1870-71,  A.  Griffin;  1872-74,  1.  N.  Pardee; 
W.  B.  Westlake;  1878,  Y.  C.  Smith;  1879-81,  A.  B.  Richardson; 
1882-84,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1885-87,  A.  B.  Richardson;  1888-92, 
O.  H.  IMcAnulty;  1893-97,  J.  E.  Bone;  1898-1900,  H.  C.  Mc- 
Dermott;  1901,  J.  B.  Sweet;  1902-03,  H.  Tuckley. 

Otego,  N.  Y. 

This  territory  was  originally  in  the  Otsego  Circuit,  where  it 
remained  until  the  Otego  Circuit  was  formed  in  1833.  One  writer 
claims  that  the  Otego  Circuit  ''comprised  the  towns  of  Sidney,  in 
Delaware  County,  and  Unadilla,  Otego,  Oneonta,  Laurens,  Mil- 


OTEGO  CHURCH 


ford,  and  Maryland,  in  Otsego  County,  a  distance  along  the 
Susquehanna  River  of  about  thirty-six  miles  in  length  and  an 
average  of  about  twelve  miles  in  width." 

We  quote  from  a  letter  received  from  Rev.  Joseph  Hartwell: 
"In  1839  Otego  Circuit  included  the  following  appointments : 
Laurens,  Schenevus,  Portlandville,  Oneonta,  Sidney  Plains, 
Unadilla  Center,  Sand  Hill,  Cunningham,  Otsdawa,  and  Lane 
Hill.  There  were  two  plain  churches  on  the  circuit  at  that  time. 
At  Oneonta  we  preached  in  a  small  wood-colored,  dirty  school- 
house,  not  pleasantly  located  at  that.  At  Portlandville  was  the 
Soule  family  of  brothers  and  sisters.  They  were  all  given  to 
song.  We  sang  China,  North  Salem,  and  Buckfield.  O,  what 
songs!  The  people  listening  sometimes  laughed,  sometimes  cried, 
and  anon  they  shouted  aloud  for  joy.  If  I  could  step  into  Port- 
landville, in  the  absence  of  human  beings  who  used  to  be  there,  I 


Otego,  N.  Y. 


747 


should  feel  inclined  to  step  out  and  ask  any  old  trees  I  might  find 
there  if  they  heard  old  Buckfield  sung  by  the  Soule  family." 

The  Otego  Circuit  was  divided  in  1848,  Laurens  and  Oneonta 
becoming  charges,  and  Otego  Circuit  continued,  including  Otego, 
Unadilla,  Unadilla  Center,  Sidney  Center,  and  Center  Creek 
within  its  bounds.  This  Otego  Circuit  was  again  divided  in  1852. 
Unadilla,  Center  Creek,  and  Sidney  Center  were  made  a  charge, 
and  Otego  and  Otsdawa  a  charge,  having  remained  such  to  the 
present  date. 

We  are  unable  to  give  the  facts  concerning  the  organization  of 
the  class.  William  T.  Broadfoot  was  one  of  the  early  class  leaders, 
and  Morgan  Lewis  an  early  steward. 

On  June  13,  1853,  society  met  for  incorporation.  Oreb  A. 
Thorp  and  Sherman  Hine  presided,  and  Ira  Parish,  William  T. 
Broadfoot,  and  John  J.  Baldwin  were  elected  trustees.  The 
corporate  name  of  the  society  is  "The  Trustees  of  the  First  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  of  Otego." 

The  society  held  meetings  in  a  schoolhouse  on  Main  Street, 
which  now  forms  a  part  of  the  residence  of  A.  H.  Adams,  and 
about  a  year  and  a  half  services  were  held  in  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal church.  In  1851  Rev.  W.  Burnside  circulated  a  subscrip- 
tion to  secure  funds  with  which  to  build  a  church.  The  church 
was  built  at  a  cost  of  $1,125,  dedicated  on  Thursday,  July  22, 
1852,  by  Rev.  Isaac  Parks.  The  building  was  repaired  in  1880 
at  a  cost  of  $1,200,  again  in  1883  at  a  cost  of  $200,  and  in  189 1 
$3,700  was  expended  in  constructing  a  basement,  building  a 
tower,  and  otherwise  improving  the  building.  The  bell  was  pur- 
chased about  1854. 

Two  parsonages  were  built  during  the  old  Otego  Circuit  days, 
both  at  Oneonta  Plains.  The  location  of  the  first  one  is  unknown ; 
the  second  stood  near  the  Plains  church,  and  at  present  is  owned 
by  Henry  Shepherd.  On  September  i,  1856,  Delos  W.  Stoddard 
and  wife  Harriet  deeded  the  society  a  house  and  lot  adjoining  the 
church,  the  lot  containing  sixty-four  rods  of  land,  for  $413.  In 
1870  the  house  was  made  practically  new,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 

Mr.  Berosus  Cook,  for  many  years  superintendent  of  the  Sidney 
camp  ground,  and  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  church,  bequeathed 
in  1899,  among  a  number  of  benevolent  gifts,  a  house  and  lot  to 
the  church  worth  $1,000. 

The  pipe  organ  was  purchased  in  1894. 

From  this  church  six  men  have  entered  the  ministry — W.  L. 
Thorpe,  George  L.  Williams,  and  W.  S.  Adams,  members  of  this 
Conference ;  Piatt  Hughston  and  E.  A.  Baldwin,  of  Central  New 


748 


Wyoming  Conference 


York  Conference;  and  Charles  Talmadge,  a  Congregational 
minister  in  Massachusetts. 

The  church  has  been  a  revival  church.  While  almost  every 
pastorate  has  witnessed  accessions  by  revival  work,  the  years  1849, 
1850,  1851,  1864,  1868,  1873,  1875,  and  1900  were  notable. 

Otsdawa,  or  Green  Street,  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  four 
miles  north  of  Otego. 

Pastorates 

(Otego  Circuit:)  1833,  M.  Marvin,  T.  Plato;  1834,  Edwin 
Dennison,  A.  E.  Daniels;  1835,  A.  Torry;  1836,  D.  Davis;  1837, 
D.  Davis,  L.  G.  Weaver;  1838,  M.  Marvin,  J.  C.  Ransom;  1839, 
Isaac  Grant,  Joseph  Hartwell,  M.  Marvin;  1840,  Isaac  Grant,  P. 
Bartlett;  1841,  J.  C.  Ransom,  Ira  D.  Warren;  1842,  1.  D.  Warren, 
Joseph  Shank;  1843-44,  A.  E.  Daniels,  David  T.  Elliott;  1845, 
F.  D.  Higgins,  S.  C.  Phinney ;  1846,  H.  Halstead;  1847,  E. 

Dennison;  1848,  ;  1849,  A.  R.  Wells;  1850-51,  W.  Burnside; 

(Otego:)  1852-53,  A.  Queal;  1854-55,  W.  C.  McDonald;  1856-57, 
W.  Southworth;  1858-59,  A.  E.  Daniels;  1860-61,  W.  R.  Lynch; 
1862-63,  S.  H.  Hill ;  1864-65,  A.  Griffin  ;  1866-67,  John  Pilkington ; 
1868-69,  W.  G.  Queal;  1870,  R.  W.  Peebles;  1871-73,  J.  W. 
Mevis;  1874-76,  W.  M.  Hiller;  1877,  E.  C.  Herdman;  1878-79, 
J.  N.  Lee;  1880-81,  G.  A.  Severson;  1882-84,  S.  Jay;  1885-87, 
T.  F.  Hall;  1888-91,  C.  H.  Hayes;  1892-93,  H.  B.  Benedict;  1894- 
96,  J.  H.  Littell;  1897-98,  E.  Kilpatrick;  1899-1903,  N.  B. 
Ripley. 

OUAQUAGA,  N.  Y. 

The  following  is  a  quotation  from  the  church  record  of  the 
charge :  ''Methodism  was  first  introduced  into  Windsor  township 
in  1799,  then  being  a  part  of  the  old  Tioga  Circuit.  Dunham  and 
Leach  were  the  preachers  in  charge.  In  18 12  Broome  Circuit  was 
organized,  and  Windsor  became  a  part  of  said  circuit.  In  1829 
Binghamton  Circuit  was  organized,  including  Windsor  and  the 
vicinity  around.  B.  Shipman  and  D.  Torry  were  appointed  to 
travel  the  circuit.  In  this  year  a  class  was  organized  at  Ouaquaga 
of  twenty-seven  members.  William  Davenport  was  appointed 
their  leader." 

Dr.  Peck  says  there  was  preaching  here  as  early  as  1807.  In 
1850  this  place  was  a  part  of  Lanesboro  Circuit,  and  at  the  time 
the  church  was  built  it  was  with  Windsor.  Ouaquaga  appeared  as 
an  appointment  in  1878. 

The  society  became  incorporated  as  "The  Ouaquaga  Society  of 


OUAQUAGA,  N.  Y.  749 


the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church"  on  November  28,  1865.  Robert 
Frances  deeded  the  society  the  church  lot  on  December  28,  1867, 
for  $25.  The  church  was  built  during  the  summer  and  fall  of 
1867  by  Hezekiah  Stilson  for  $2,500,  which  with  the  furnishings 
made  the  total  cost  about  $3,000.  It  was  dedicated  on  January 
31,  1868,  by  Rev.  Jesse  T.  Peck,  D.D.  Rev.  W.  H.  Sawtelle, 
pastor  of  the  Nineveh  Presbyterian  Church,  participated  in  the 
services  and  preached  in  the  evening.  The  building  has  been 
repaired  several  times  at  an  expense  of  from  $200  to  $400. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  of  Jane  Rose  and  her  husband 
John  Rose  for  $900,  the  deed  being  executed  on  April  i,  1884. 
The  house  has  been  somewhat  improved  since  the  purchase. 

With  very  few  exceptions  revival  work  has  been  held  on  some 
part  of  the  charge  each  winter,  and  with  good  results. 

Edgar  Doolittle  has  been  a  member  of  this  society  since  1864, 
and,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  a  steward  since  1868,  and 
recording  steward  from  1878  until  the  present. 

Cole's  Hill  is  three  miles  west  of  Ouaquaga.  The  society  here 
has  a  church. 

Doraville  is  four  miles  east  of  Ouaquaga.  In  1899  the  society 
bought  a  church  here  of  an  orthodox  society,  nearly  extinct.  The 
church  burned  in  June,  1901.  After  paying  all  obligations  the 
society  had  $750  with  which  to  begin  a  new  church.  The  new 
church  was  dedicated  on  January  15,  1902. 

Pastorates 

1878-80,  C.  H.  Hayes;  1881,  G.  E.  Gerowe;  1882,  Elisha 
Hughes;  1883,  E.  A.  Baldwin;  1884,  J.  A.  Transue;  1885-87, 
F.  A.  Dony;  1888,  W.  R.  Turner;  1889-90,  A.  W.  Loomis;  1891 
(with  Windsor),  E.  Kilpatrick;  1892-93,  C.  H.  Reynolds;  1894- 
96,  W.  F.  Boyce;  1897,  T.  B.  Miller;  1898,  B.  F.  Larabee;  1899- 
1903,  F.  A.  Mattison. 

Sanitaria  Springs,  N.  Y. 

Sanitaria  Springs  was  known  as  Osborne  Hollow  until  1893, 
when  it  received  its  present  name.  We  can  glean  but  meager 
information  concerning  its  early  days.  In  1848  it  was  a  part 
of  Windsor  charge  and  had  a  church.  On  November  18,  1844, 
the  society  met  for  incorporation  and  chose  Nathaniel  Evarts, 
Roswell  Higley,  Ezekiel  Andrus,  Samuel  Andrews,  and  John 
Witham  trustees.  It  is  very  probable  that  the  church  was  built 
between  1844  and  1848. 


750  ^       •  Wyoming  Conference 

On  September  8,  1871,  the  church  was  reopened  after  re- 
pairs, Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol  preaching  at  2  p.  m. 

The  corner  stone  for  the  present  church  was  laid  on  Saturday, 
September  16,  1893,  at  2  p.  m.,  by  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft,  assisted 
by  Revs.  S.  G.  Snowden  and  H.  A.  Green.  The  corner  stone  was 
presented  by  I.  Lander  and  son,  of  Binghamton.  The  building 
cost  $3,500,  and  was  dedicated  on  February  2,  1894.  Rev.  C. 
V.  Arnold  conducted  a  love  feast  at  10  a.  m.,  which  was  fol- 


SANITARIA  SPRINGS  CHURCH 


lowed  by  a  sermon  on  Zech.  xiv,  7,  by  Rev.  P.  R.  Tower.  Din- 
ner was  served  by  the  ladies  in  the  old  church.  At  2  p.  m.  Rev. 
J.  E.  C.  Sawyer,  D.D.,  preached  from  Heb.  xiii,  8,  and  in 
the  evening  Rev.  A.  Griffin  preached  from  Acts  i,  11.  Rev.  A.  J. 
Van  Cleft  managed  the  finances  during  the  day,  securing  the 
needed  $800,  and  conducted  the  dedicatory  services  at  the  close 
of  the  evening  service.  The  bell  was  purchased  by  the  King's 
Daughters,  aided  by  a  Baptist  lady,  Mrs.  E.  E.  Dye,  in  1894. 
The  parsonage  is  beside  the  church. 

Brookvale.  When  Port  Crane  was  taken  from  the  charge  in 
1893  the  pastor  began  work  at  this  place.  The  society  was  in- 
corporated as  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Brook- 
vale"  on  January  11,  1894,  with  Stephen  Ackert,  Thomas  Car- 


Port  Crane,  N.  Y. 


751 


roll,  Ely  O.  Evarts,  A.  Albert  Hoadley,  and  George  Craver 
trustees.  The  church,  which  cost  $1,000,  was  dedicated  on 
Wednesday,  September  5,  1894,  Rev.  J.  E.  Bone  preaching  at 
10:30  A.  M.,  and  Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  at  2  p.  m.  The  class 
has  become  so  depleted  that  preaching  services  have  been 
discontinued. 

Port  Crane.  A  gazetteer  is  our  authority  for  the  statement 
that  the  class  was  formed  here  in  1841.  It  was  a  part  of  Wind- 
sor Circuit  in  1848. 

On  March  28,  1854,  "The  Port  Crane  Methodist  Episcopal 
Society"  was  incorporated,  with  Daniel  Hickox,  Hermon  V. 


PORT  CRANE  CHURCH 


Waite,  Eli  Prentiss,  Timothy  Cross,  and  F.  H.  Holmes  as  trus- 
tees. The  society  met  at  the  schoolhouse  on  March  16,  1868, 
and  again  incorporated,  retaining  the  corporate  name  of  the  first 
incorporation,  and  elected  E.  P.  Hickox,  Daniel  Hickox,  George 
Garrison,  and  J.  M.  Edsol  trustees. 

The  church,  which  cost  $4,700,  was  dedicated  on  Friday,  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1871,  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preaching  at  11  a.  m.  and  Rev. 
D.  W.  Bristol  at  7  p.  m. 

The  building  was  thoroughly  renovated  in  1897  and  1898. 
The  old  vestibule,  gallery,  and  stoves  were  taken  out,  and  the 
old  windows  discarded.  A  new  vestibule  was  built  in  front,  the 
ceiling  was  lowered  in  the  auditorium,  and  an  Epworth  League 
and  prayer  room,  18x34  feet,  made  in  the  rear  of  the  auditorium, 
with  parlors  overhead.    New  furnace,  pews,  paint,  and  paper 


752 


Wyoming  Conference 


contributed  to  the  improvements.  The  whole  cost  $i,ioo,  $600 
of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  reopening,  March  24,  1898. 
Rev.  H.  C.  McDermott  preached  in  the  morning,  Rev.  E.  B. 
Olmstead,  D.D.,  in  the  afternoon.  In  the  evening  a  platform 
meeting  was  addressed  by  Revs.  B.  B.  Carruth  and  G.  L.  Wil- 
liams.  Letters  were  read  from  several  former  pastors. 

From  1849  to  1892  this  society  was  with  Osborne  Hollow.  In 
1893  it  ''was  set  off,"  and  was  served  as  follows :  1893-94,  S.  G. 
Snowden;  1895-96,  D.  L.  McDonald;  during  1897  and  1898  it 
was  with  Chenango  Bridge;  1899,  A.  R.  Burke;  1900,  Bert  Rines ; 
in  1901  it  went  back  to  Sanitaria  Springs. 

Pastorates 

1849,  T.  D.  Wire;  1850,  L.  Pitts;  1851,  E.  B.  Tenny;  1852, 
Wilham  Roberts;  1853-54,  J.  A.  Wood;  1855-56,  A.  Brigham; 
1857-58,  G.  A.  Severson;  1859-60,  W.  Silsbee;  1861,  S.  E.  Wal- 
worth; 1862,  George  Comfort;  1863,  L.  Pitts;  1864-66,  E.  W. 
Breckinridge;  1867-68,  Enos  Puffer;  1869,  S.  W.  Lindsley; 

1870-71,  G.  L.  Williams;  1872,   ;  1873,  L.  Pitts;  1874, 

A.  C.  Sperry;  1875,  G.  C.  Andrews;  1876-78,  Fred  Taylor; 
1879,  E.  A.  Baldwin;  1880-81,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1882-83,  W.  B. 
Kinney;  1884,  A.  Brooks;  1885-87,  P.  R.  Tower;  1888-90,  C.  V. 
Arnold;  1891-93,  H.  A.  Greene;  1894-95,  J.  L.  Thomas;  1896- 
1900,  C.  B.  Personeus;  1901-02,  C.  H.  Reynolds;  1903,  E.  A. 
Quimby. 

SCHENEVUS,  N.  Y. 

Hotchkin's  History  of  the  Town  of  Maryland  states  that  Rev. 
John  Catlin  formed  a  class  here  of  thirteen  members  in  1810. 
From  that  time  until  Schenevus  became  an  appointment  in  185 1 
the  society  formed  a  part  of  Westford  Circuit.  Services  were 
held  alternately  in  a  schoolhouse  in  Smoky  Hollow,  about  three 
miles  east  of  the  village,  in  a  schoolhouse  near  what  is  now  the 
eastern  boundary  of  the  village  corporation,  and  in  a  schoolhouse 
located  in  what  is  now  known  as  Chaseville,  about  two  miles 
west  of  the  village. 

The  society  met  for  incorporation  in  the  schoolhouse  on  April 
25,  1842.  Rev.  A.  E.  Daniels  presided  at  the  meeting,  and  War- 
ren C.  Smith,  Gideon  E.  S.  Fellows,  George  W.  Chase,  and  Silas 
and  Jacob  Follett  were  elected  trustees.  The  site  for  the  church 
was  deeded  to  the  trustees  of  the  society  on  July  26,  1842,  by 
Isaac  Slingerland,  in  consideration  of  $50.  The  church,  which 
was  32x52,  was  erected  the  same  season,  but  it  was  not 


SCHENEVUS,  N.  Y. 


753 


dedicated  free  from  debt.  The  Quarterly  Conference  held  on 
October  21,  1843,  passed  a  resolution  authorizing  a  com- 
mittee to  be  appointed  which  should  make  some  provision  for 
relieving  the  Jacksonboro  (now  Schcnevus)  church  from  debt. 
The  Quarterly  Conference  held  November  2,  1844,  authorized 
the  preacher  in  charge  to  organize  sewing  societies  on  the  circuit 
and  to  use  such  other  means  as  he  thought  best  to  liquidate  the 
debt  on  the  Jacksonboro  church.    This  introduces  the  picture  of 


SCHENEVUS  CHURCH 


a  struggling  church,  and  it  would  be  interesting  to  know  how 
the  schemes  matured  and  when  the  debt  was  paid. 

On  the  Quarterly  Conference  record  of  September  18,  1848, 
occurs  the  name  Schenevus,  which  would  indicate  about  the  time 
the  name  of  the  village  was  changed. 

On  May  17,  185 1,  the  Quarterly  Conference  resolved  "That 
the  bishop  be  requested  to  supply  Schenevus,  Crumhorn,  and 
East  Maryland  with  the  services  of  one  man."  Schenevus  ac- 
cordingly appears  among  the  appointments  in  185 1. 

The  pipe  organ  was  purchased  in  1869,  largely  through  the 
efforts  of  the  choir. 

After  an  expenditure  of  $3,000  in  remodeling  the  church  it 

48 


754 


Wyoming  Conference 


was  reopened  on  Wednesday,  January  20,  1875,  Rev.  Henry 
Wheeler  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  Hubbard  Fox  in  the 
evening. 

The  building  underwent  its  last  transformation  in  1902  and 
1903,  when  $2,678  was  spent  in  building  a  corner  tower  which 
serves  as  a  vestibule  on  the  first  floor  and  a  kitchen  on  the  sec- 
ond, and  has  an  open  oak  stairway  leading  to  the  kitchen  and  din- 
ing room  above.  In  the  front  of  the  building  is  the  League  room, 
occupying  the  space  formerly  used  as  a  vestibule,  which  may  be 
opened  into  the  auditorium  when  extra  seating  is  demanded.  The 
windows  are  stained  glass.  Memorial  windows  commemorate 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  Lane,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel  Brownell,  R. 
C.  Wilson,  Paul  Crippen,  Thomas  Page,  Bennett  Bulson,  Ruth 
Chamberlain,  L  Slingerland  and  family,  and  S.  Slingerland  and 
family.  Other  windows  were  given  by  Rev.  H.  B.  Benedict,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  A.  Tompkins,  George  Hall,  George  Hall  and  Charles 
Gibson,  of  Albany;  and  S.  Hubbard's  friends  put  in  a  window 
on  which  his  name  is  inscribed  in  recognition  of  his  having  been 
chorister  more  than  forty  years.  Other  minor  changes  were  ne- 
cessitated by  this  general  renovation.  The  building  was  re- 
opened on  Thursday  and  Friday,  April  2  and  3,  1903.  On 
Thursday  evening  addresses  were  made  by  Revs.  J.  H.  Littell 
and  C.  A.  Benjamin,  and  Rev.  E.  A.  Rogers,  of  the  Schenevus 
Baptist  Church.  On  Friday  morning  Rev.  H.  Tuckley,  D.D., 
preached  from  Mark  vi,  3,  and  in  the  afternoon  Rev.  C.  A.  Ben- 
jamin preached  from  2  Cor.  xi,  3.  The  dedicatory  service  was 
conducted  by  Rev.  T.  F.  Hall,  D.D.  The  sum  of  $900  was 
raised  during  the  day,  the  balance  having  been  previously  raised. 

Until  1867  parsonages  were  rented.  One  pastor  lived  two 
miles  from  the  church.  When  Rev.  H.  N.  Van  Deusen  moved  to 
the  charge  the  only  available  house  was  one  half  mile  from  the 
church,  "and  nearly  that  from  the  road."  A  parsonage  and  barn 
were  built  adjoining  the  church  and  were  ready  for  occupancy 
in  the  spring  of  1868,  costing  $1,800.  The  parsonage  lot  was 
deeded  to  the  society  on  March  8,  1868,  by  Nelson  Lane  in  con- 
sideration of  $75.  The  parsonage  was  improved  in  1887,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $300,  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  defraying  the 
expense. 

In  1881  a  debt  of  $1,200,  the  balance  of  debt  on  the  parsonage 
and  a  debt  arising  from  shrinkage  in  subscriptions  made  in  1875, 
was  paid. 

Dr.  H.  W.  Bourne  was  elected  Sunday  school  superintendent 
in  1877  and  served  until   1894.    He  was  succeeded  by  Carey 


South  Hill,  N.  Y. 


755 


Chester  and  Burdette  Gay,  who  each  served  two  years,  when  he 
was  again  made  superintendent,  and  continues. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  since  1872  has  raised  about  $2,400 
for  church  work. 

D.  Kelley,  W.  C.  Smith,  for  many  years  recording  steward, 
E.  E.  S.  Fellows,  D.  D.  Houghton,  Jacob  and  Silas  Follett,  D. 
Wright,  G.  W.  Chase,  and  S.  Tuthill  are  among  the  laymen  who 
have  been  prominent  in  the  work  here. 

Crumhorn  Church  was  on  this  charge  some  time.  (See  West- 
ville,  on  Milford  charge.) 

South  Hill.  A  class  was  organized  here,  and  a  church  built. 
For  a  long  time  it  was  considered  a  promising  field.  It  was  sup- 
plied with  preaching  from  Schenevus  largely^  though  for  a  while 
from  Fergusonville.  Owing  to  a  decline  of  interest  and  local 
dissensions  this  appointment  was  permanently  abandoned.  Rev. 
A.  F.  Brown  attempted  to  revive  the  class.  His  faithful  work 
was  appreciated,  but  the  work  did  not  revive  sufficiently  to  war- 
rant its  continuance.  The  society  finally  disbanded,  the  members 
joining  either  Schenevus  or  Fergusonville. 

The  church  building  is  now  dilapidated  and  is  used  by  the 
Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

At  this  writing  an  attempt  is  being  made  to  establish  a  work 
at  Maryland. 

Revivals  have  characterized  the  history  of  the  church.  In  185 1 
a  revival  at  East  Hill  resulted  in  fifty  conversions.  A  great 
work  was  witnessed  in  1858  and  1859.  1880,  25 ;  from  1883 
to  1885,  41 ;  from  1886  to  1889,  45;  from  1890  to  1892,  37;  and 
from  1893  to  1896,  58  probationers  were  received  from  revival 
work. 

Pastorates 

1851-52,  M.  Marvin;  1853,  Joseph  Shank;  1854-55,  L.  C. 
Queal;  1856,  Anthony  Smith;  1857,  Ozias  Ellerson;  1858-59, 
E.  Orwen;  i860,  A.  E.  Daniels;  1861,  S.  H.  Hill,  H.  V.  Tal- 
bott;  1862,  J.  W.  Diefendorf;  1863-64,  George  Parsons;  1865, 

W.  C.  McDonald;  1866,   ;  1867-69,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen ; 

1870,  H.  Fox;  1871,  J.  V.  Newell;  1872-73,  A.  M.  Colegrove; 
1874-75,  J.  L.  Wells;  1876,  Joseph  Hartwell;  1877,  A.  S.  Clarke; 
1878-80,  E.  C.  Herdman;  1881-82,  A.  F.  Brown;  1883-85,  J.  F. 
Williams;  1886-89,  C.  A.  Benjamin;  1890-92,  F.  Gendall ;  1893- 
96,  C.  H.  Sackett;  1897-98,  N.  B.  Ripley;  1899-1900,  J.  C.  John- 
son; 1901-03,  G.  E.  Van  Woert. 


756 


Wyoming  Conference 


Sidney,  N.  Y. 

The  appointments  in  the  town  of  Sidney  were  in  the  Chenango 
Circuit  from  1798  to  1821,  with  Bainbridge  from  1822  to  1833, 
with  Otego  from  1834  to  1850,  from  185 1  until  the  formation 
of  Sidney  charge  in  1862  with  Unadilla.  In  1880  Sidney  had 
Rockdale  and  East  Guilford  as  out-appointments. 

We  cannot  give  information  concerning  the  origin  of  the  class 
here.  It  was  probably  before  1830.  Rev.  E.  White,  who  wrote 
the  Annals  of  Methodism  in  Delaware  County,  claimed  that  the 


SIDNEY  CHURCH 


church  was  built  in  183 1,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000.  A  Church  Manual 
for  the  Sidney  church  in  1890  states  that:  "The  church  edifice, 
a  picture  of  which  is  now  in  possession  of  William  A.  Fry,  was 
erected  in  1833,  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  McCallum 
marble  works."  Still  another  statement:  "The  lot  on  Main 
Street,  on  which  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  originally 
stood,  was  purchased  of  Moses  Holvenstott  March  i,  1851,  and 
in  all  probability  the  building  was  erected  about  that  date."  Two 
conjectures:  The  church  might  have  been  built  at  the  earlier 
date,  on  groui^fl  leased  and  finally  bought  in  1851 ;  or  there  may 


Sidney,  N.  Y. 


757 


be  a  mistake  in  the  date  1851,  the  year  1831  being  the  correct 
date. 

On  August  29,  1870,  the  lot  on  Liberty  Street,  where  the  church 
now  stands,  was  bought  of  Charles  S.  Bradford  for  $300.  The 
old  church  was  moved  to  the  present  site  and  remodeled,  the 
whole  costing  $2,500.  It  was  rededicated  on  Wednesday,  March 
22,  1871,  Rev.  William  Searls  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
W.  N.  Cobb  in  the  evening.  In  1884  $3,000  was  spent  in  extensive 
repairs.  On  Monday,  June  i,  1891,  $1,950  was  raised  in  a  short 
time  to  liquidate  the  church  debt.  In  1892  the  building  was 
again  improved.  An  addition  was  built  on  the  west  side  of  the 
church  for  a  lecture  room,  which  connects  with  the  auditorium 
by  sliding  doors.  Modern  pews,  a  new  carpet,  and  stained-glass 
windows  were  among  the  improvements.  Memorial  windows 
were  put  in  to  the  ''Memory  of  Alvine  and  Eliza  H.  Clark, 
founders  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Sidney;" 
Harriet  G.  Isham,  Grace  Benedict,  Linn  Sage  Angell.  Other 
windows  were  given  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  W.  Herrick,  Epworth 
League,  and  the  Sunday  school.  The  church  was  reopened  on 
Sunday,  September  18,  1892.  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D.,  preached 
in  the  morning.  After  the  sermon  $2,600  was  raised  to  pay  for 
the  improvements.  A  platform  meeting  was  held  in  the  after- 
noon addressed  by  Revs.  William  Burnside,  G.  A.  Severson,  H. 
B.  Benedict,  and  Hon.  John  Eddy,  of  Milford.  In  the  evening 
addresses  were  made  by  the  pastor,  Dr.  Pearce  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Dodge,  of  the  local  Congregational  church,  after  which  Rev. 
A.  J.  Van  Cleft  conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  In  1900  $683 
was  spent  in  covering  the  ceiling  and  side  walls  with  metal  ceil-' 
ing,  buying  a  new  carpet,  introducing  electricity,  and  making 
minor  repairs. 

On  November  22,  1887,  the  lot  adjoining  the  church  was  pur- 
chased of  Chauncey  Coe,  on  contract,  for  $400,  Mr.  Coe  giving 
as  his  subscription  one  half  its  value,  $200.  The  parsonage  was 
built  in  1888,  at  a  cost,  exclusive  of  lot,  of  $1,065.  Of  this 
amount  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  paid  $200. 

In  1897  the  parsonage  was  thoroughly  renovated  at  an  expense 
of  $300. 

The  church  bell  was  given  the  society  by  Martha  E.  Lloyd, 
and  was  put  in  the  belfry  on  April  13,  1889,  and  on  August  11, 
1889,  it  rang  its  first  funeral  knell  at  the  funeral  of  its  departed 
donor. 

The  town  was  called  Sidney  Plains  many  years. 
The  society  was  incorporated  on  February  10,  1885. 


758 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1862,  L.  V.  Ismond;  1863-64,  Anthony  C.  Smith;  1865,  L. 
Sperry;  1866,  G.  Colegrove;  1867,  A.  M.  Colegrove;  1868,  W. 
R.  Cochrane;  1869,  L.  C.  Hayes;  1870-71,  A.  S.  Clark;  1872, 
S.  H.  Hill;  1873-74,  J.  C.  Shelland;  1875,  N.  S.  Reynolds;  1876, 
J.  S.  Southworth;  1877-78,  H.  G.  Harned;  1879-81,  C.  G.  Wood; 
1882-83,  G.  A.  Severson;  1884-86,  D.  Personeus;  1887-90,  H.  B. 
Benedict;  1891-93,  J.  B.  Cook;  1894-96,  A.  D.  Decker;  1897-98, 
W.  J.  Hill;  1899-1902,  W.  Frisby;  1903,  C.  Callendar. 

Sidney  Center,  N.  Y. 

The  appointments  in  the  town  of  Sidney  were  in  the  Chenango 
Circuit  from  1798  to  1821,  with  Bainbridge  from  1822  to  1833, 
with  Otego  from  1833  to  1850,  from  185 1  with  Unadilla  until 
the  formation  of  Sidney  charge  in  1862.  Sidney  Center  was 
with  Sidney  from  1862  to  1868,  and  appears  among  the  appoint- 


SIDNEY  center  CHURCH 


ments  in  1869.  In  1880  Sidney  Center  had  Sidney  Valley,  Mer- 
rickville,  and  Union  Valley  as  out-appointments. 

A  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  this  neighborhood  as  early 
as  1825,  and  preaching  services  held  near  what  is  now  known  as 
Youngs'  Station,  and  later  in  the  old  schoolhouse  that  stood  on 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Sagendorf  farm. 

The  church  was  built  in  1852,  costing  $3,000,  and  was  ded- 
icated on  December  30,  1852,  Rev.  William  Reddy  preaching 
from  I  Chron.  xvi,  29.   Abraham  Gilbert,  Lewis  Baldwin,  James 


Sidney  Center,  N.  Y. 


759 


Patrick,  Samuel  Cook,  and  William  Baker  were  the  trustees 
at  that  time.  The  building  was  remodeled  in  1873,  and  again  in 
the  eighties. 

The  present  church  was  dedicated  on  February  2,  1897.  The 
site  cost  $600  and  the  building  $5,500.  The  auditorium  seats 
three  hundred,  and  the  lecture  room,  which  may  be  opened  into 
the  auditorium,  one  hundred.  The  basement  is  fitted  up  for  so- 
cial purposes.  The  dedicatory  services  were  as  follows :  a  pas- 
tors' reunion  was  held  in  the  forenoon,  addressed  by  Revs.  C.  D. 
Shepard  and  E.  A.  Baldwin ;  Rev.  T.  F.  Hall  preached  in  the 
afternoon,  and  Rev.  J.  E.  C.  Sawyer,  D.D.,  in  the  evening.  Rev. 
A.  J.  Van  Cleft  conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  During  the 
day  $2,843  was  raised. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Sidney  Center. 

Youngs'  Station.  The  church  here  was  dedicated  on  August 
25,  1897,  Rev.  C.  H.  Hayes  preaching  in  the  afternoon  and  Rev. 
A.  Griffin,  D.D.,  in  the  evening  and  conducting  the  dedicatory 
service.  Mr.  J.  W.  Youngs  gave  the  site  and  $300  to  start  the 
enterprise.  The  building  cost  $1,500,  $425  of  which  was  raised 
on  this  day.  The  auditorium  seats  one  hundred  and  thirty,  and 
the  lecture  room  fifty  people. 

Pastorates 

1869-70,  G.  M.  Mead;  1871-72,  H.  A.  Blanchard;  1873-74, 
A.  W.  Thompson;  1875-76,  George  Parsons;  1877-78,  A.  G.  Bar- 
tholomew; 1879-81,  S.  Homan;  1882-84,  C.  H.  Hayes;  1885, 
H.  A.  Blanchard ;  1886-88,  E.  A.  Baldwin ;  1889,  W.  R.  Turner ; 
1890-92,  C.  B.  Personeus;  1893-95,  C.  D.  Shepard;  1896-98,  C. 
H.  Reynolds;  1899-1901,  J.  L.  Thomas;  1902-03,  S.  A.  Terry. 

Unadilla,  N.  Y. 

The  beginnings  of  Methodism  in  Unadilla  are  veiled  in  obscu- 
rity. It  was  a  part  of  Otego  Circuit,  and  before  that  of  Otsego 
Circuit.  On  April  26,  1832,  Moses  B.  Maxwell  leased  to  Parks 
Fletcher,  John  White,  Samuel  Lamb,  Ephraim  Robbins,  Almon 
Emmons,  John  Russell,  Levi  Samson,  Levi  Bartholomew,  and 
Samuel  Smith,  trustees  of  the  Unadilla  Central  Society  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  seventy-six  and  one  half  rods 
of  land.  The  yearly  rental  of  this  piece  of  property  was  one 
peppercorn.  This  is  evidence  that  a  class  existed  and  that  a 
church  was  planned  for.  Evidently  nothing  came  from  this  lease. 


76o 


Wyoming  Conference 


Some  time  prior  to  the  building  of  the  church  the  class  wor- 
shiped in  the  east  end  of  the  dwelling  house  now  occupied  by 
Mr.  G.  W.  Hardy  on  ^lain  Street.  It  was  erected  by  Judge 
Paige  and  used  at  the  time  as  a  store.  Slab  benches  were  con- 
structed for  seating  the  people.  At  that  time  the  street  ran  be- 
tween the  elm  trees  and  the  house. 

On  December  6,  1854,  the  society  met  for  incorporation.  So- 
lon P.  Hubbel  and  Samuel  G.  Cleveland  presided,  and  Solon  P. 


UXADILLA  CHURCH 


Hubbel,  David  Lee,  Samuel  G.  Cleveland,  David  Bullock,  and 
W.  H.  Emory  were  elected  trustees,  and  the  society  chose  the 
following  corporate  name :  'The  Trustees  of  the  First  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  of  Unadilla  Village." 

On  December  29,  1856,  Christopher  D.  Fellows  and  wife  Caro- 
line deeded  the  society  the  site  for  the  church,  receiving  $350 
for  the  same.   The  church  was  in  process  of  erection  at  the  time. 

The  church  cost  $2,700,  and  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Janes 
on  January  27,  1857. 

On  February  15,  1885,  after  an  expenditure  of  $6,000  in  re- 
modeling the  building,  the  church  was  rededicated,  and  a  feast 


Unadtlla,  N.  Y. 


761 


of  dedication  continued  through  the  week.  During  the  services 
$2,000  was  raised. 

On  May  i,  1867,  a  parsonage  property  was  bought  of  Orlando 
Delevan  and  wife  Jane  L.  for  $2,500.  In  1896  the  old  parsonage 
was  replaced  by  a  new  one  costing  $1,385.  At  the  same  time 
$440  was  spent  in  repairs  on  the  church.  On  Tuesday,  Decem- 
ber 8,  1896,  an  anniversary  service  was  held,  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce, 
D.D.,  preaching  in  the  afternoon  and  Rev.  J.  E.  C.  Sawyer,  D.D., 
in  the  evening.  During  the  day  $659.50  was  rai'sed,  the  bal- 
ance having  been  previously  raised. 

The  bell,  costing  $500,  was  purchased  in  1881,  and  the  pipe 
organ,  which  cost  $600,  in  1900. 

On  September  22,  1901,  a  memorial  tablet  in  honor  of  Hiram 
Hubbel  was  unveiled,  placed  there  by  his  sons.  Hiram  Hubbel 
was  brother  to  Solon,  and  both  were  enthusiastic  supporters  of 
the  church  in  its  early  days. 

Union  Church  at  East  Sidney  is  five  miles  east  of  Unadilla. 
Preaching  services  were  begun  here  before  1840.  The  class  wor- 
shiped many  years  in  a  building  originally  built  for  a  school- 
house.  In  1870  the  church,  28x42  feet,  was  built,  costing  $3,000, 
$1,100  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication,  Wednes- 
day, December  14,  1870.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives,  D.D.,  preached  in  the 
morning  and  Rev.  W.  N.  Cobb  in  the  evening.  Several  hundred 
dollars  were  spent  on  repairs  in  1896.  This  appointment  was 
with  Sidney  Center  until  after  1880. 

Pastorates 

1851,  with  Otego;  1852,  A.  R.  Wells;  1853,  H.  Halstead,  L.  E. 
Marvin;  1854,  L.  Sperry,  H.  Halstead;  1855-57,  L.  Sperry ; 
1858-59,  R.  Townsend;  1860-61,  L.  Bowdish ;  1862,  W.  G. 
Queal;  1863-64,  L.  V.  Ismond;  1865-67,  T.  P.  Halstead;  1868, 
James  N.  Piatt;  1869-70,  G.  M.  Peck;  1871-72,  W.  A.  Wads- 
worth;  1873,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1874,  S.  C  Fulton;  1875-76,  E.  C. 
Herdman  (the  last  half  of  the  Conference  year  of  1876  was  filled 
by  C.  D.  Mead);  1877-79,  J-  W.  Mevis ;  1880-81,  J.  N.  Lee; 
1882-84,  J.  Ryder;  1885-87,  C.  H.  Hayes;  1888-90,  H.  N.  Van 
Deusen;  1891-93,  B.  P.  Ripley;  1894-95,  H.  A.  Williams;  1896- 
97,  H.  B.  Benedict;  1898-1900,  J.  S.  Crompton;  1901-03,  E.  R. 
D.  Briggs. 

Wells  Bridge,  N.  Y. 

The  society  at  Wells  Bridge  grew  out  of  a  imion  revival  meet- 
ing conducted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Reynolds,  a  Baptist  clergyman.  The 


762 


Wyoming  Conference 


class  was  organized  by  the  Sidney  Center  pastor  a  few  years  be- 
fore the  building  of  the  church,  and  meetings  were  held  in  a 
schoolhouse  across  the  river,  directly  opposite  the  church.  In 
1877  Rev.  C.  G.  Wood  went  out  into  the  high  weeds,  and  on  a 
spot  not  far  from  the  pulpit  of  the  church  knelt  and  asked  God's 
help  in  building  a  church.  The  site  for  the  church  was  given  by 
Le  Grand  Stone.  The  church  is  32x50  feet,  cost  $1,625,  was 
dedicated  on  January  31,  1878,  by  Rev.  H.  R.  Clarke,  D.D.  The 
sum  of  $700  was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1895,  and  is  valued  at  $1,200. 

From  1874  to  1877  the  charge  was  called  Unadilla  Circuit,  and 
in  1878  took  the  name  of  Wells  Bridge. 

Sand  Hill  is  one  and  one  half  miles  northwest  of  Wells  Bridge. 
The  class  was  organized  about  1826,  Captain  Seth  Rowley 
and  wife,  Joseph  Benedict  and  wife,  Hiram  Fowler,  Abel  C. 
and  Cynthia  Rowley,  and  Lucy  Saunders  being  the  original 
members. 

The  society  met  on  March  25,  1856,  for  incorporation.  George 
W.  Daggett  and  Uri  Chapman  presided,  and  Uri  Chapman, 
Abijah  Wait,  George  W.  Daggett,  Henry  Palmer,  and  William 
P.  York  were  chosen  trustees.  The  corporate  name  of  the  so- 
ciety is  "Trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Sand 
Hill." 

On  April  2,  1856,  Samuel  Wait  and  wife  Amy  deeded  the  so- 
ciety one  half  acre  of  land  for  a  church  in  consideration  of  $50. 
The  church,  which  cost  $1,000,  was  dedicated  in  January,  1856. 
It  was  thoroughly  repaired  in  1880. 

This  society  was  first  on  Otsego  Circuit;  following  this  it 
was  a  part  of  Otego  Circuit,  and  was  with  Unadilla  from  its  or- 
ganization as  a  charge  until  1874,  when  the  present  charge  was 
formed. 

Camp  meetings  were  held  on  Briar  Creek,  about  two  miles 
from  here,  before  1826. 

A  revival  followed  the  building  of  the  church  some  weeks. 

Unadilla  Center  is  four  miles  northwest  of  Wells  Bridge.  The 
class  here  was  organized  some  time  before  the  class  at  Sand 
Hill.  The  church  was  built  about  1830,  costing  $500,  and  was 
located  above  the  cemetery,  on  the  hill.  It  was  so  cold  and  bleak 
there  that  it  was  moved  to  its  present  site.  It  was  remodeled  in 
1880,  and  in  1891  $300  was  expended  in  improvements.  A  re- 
vival in  1888  resulted  in  twenty-nine  accessions  to  the  church. 
This  society  was  with  Sand  Hill  in  its  circuit  relations. 


Westford,  N.  Y. 


763 


Pastorates 

1874-75,  B.  P.  Ripley;  1876,  J.  Hulbtirt;  1877-78,  C.  G.  Wood; 
1879,  F.  P.  Taylor;  1880-81,  W.  Biirnside;  1882,  G.  E.  Gerowe ; 
1883,  W.  R.  Turner;  1884-85,  G.  H.  Prentice;  1886-87,  J. 
Benge;  1888-89,  C.  C.  Vrooman;  1890,  A.  S.  Holland;  1891-92, 

H.  A.  Blanchard;  1893-94,  Robert  Homan;  1895-96,  C.  W.  Bab- 
cock;  1897-99,  A.  M.  Colegrove;  1900-01,  I.  L.  Bronson ;  1902- 
03,  A.  H.  Whitaker. 

Westford,  N.  Y. 

IMethodism  began  here  about  1790.  We  have  been  unable  to 
find  anything  definite  prior  to  1823.  On  December  24,  1823,  the 
society  met  in  the  schoolhouse  of  district  No.  3  in  the  town  of 
Westford  for  incorporation.  Warren  Fellows  and  Paul  Grofif 
presided,  and  Edward  Mills,  Warren  Fellows,  Jonathan  Perry, 
John  North,  and  Andrew  Van  Dusen  were  chosen  trustees,  and 
the  corporate  name  of  the  society  was  "First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Society  in  Westford."  At  the  same  meeting  it  was  re- 
solved "That  the  common  seal  of  this  society  shall  be  engraved 
with  the  initial  letters  of  the  name  of  the  venerable  founder 
of  this  society,  John  Wesley — viz.,  J.  W."  On  the  following 
week,  December  29,  Jonathan  Perry  was  excused  from  acting 
as  trustee  and  Sylvester  Bently  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  At 
this  meeting  it  was  resolved  "That  it  is  expedient  to  erect  a  suit- 
able house  for  public  worship,  and  that  the  trustees  be  directed 
to  adopt  measures  without  delay  to  raise  funds  for  the  erection 
of  a  convenient  meetinghouse,  to  be  35x45  feet  on  the  ground ; 
and  that  in  order  to  secure  harmony  and  a  zealous  cooperation 
among  the  brethren  in  every  part  of  the  society  two  subscription 
papers  be  circulated,  one  recognizing  as  a  suitable  site  for  the 
erection  of  the  meetinghouse  the  spot  of  ground  ofifered  by  Arte- 
mas  Howe,  at  the  corner  of  the  road  south  of  said  Howe's  dwell- 
ing, and  the  other  the  site  offered  by  Edward  Mills.  When  the 
said  subscriptions  shall  have  been  generally  and  fully  circulated, 
the  one  having  the  greatest  amount  subscribed  thereon  shall  be 
considered  as  a  decision  with  regard  to  the  choice  of  a  site  for  the 
said  meetinghouse ;  and  the  other  subscription  paper  shall  be  re- 
jected, as  well  as  the  site  therein  contemplated,  and  the  said 
rejected  subscription  paper  destroyed  in  the  presence  of  a  major- 
ity of  the  trustees."   The  following  tells  its  own  story :  On  June 

I,  1825,  Artemas  Howe  and  wife  Anna  deeded  the  society  thirty- 
eight  rods  of  ground  in  consideration  of  $1. 


-64 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  first  church  was  erected  in  1825  or  1826,  costing  $1,300, 
and  was  40x60.  The  present  church  is  36x52,  and  cost  $2,500. 
It  was  dedicated  on  December  17,  1862,  Rev.  J.  T.  Wright 
preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  Shank  in  the  evening.  In 
1882  $1,300  was  spent  in  remodehng  the  church,  which  was  re- 
dedicated  on  Tuesday,  October  17.  1882,  Rev.  F.  L.  Hiller 
preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  A.  J.  Cook  in  the  evening. 

The  parsonage  property  was  bought  in  1842,  the  money  for 
the  same  being  raised  from  the  whole  circuit.  A  new  house  was 
built  in  1880,  costing  $900. 

The  Westford  society  was  reincorporated  on  December  28, 
1896.  Rev.  S.  Guy  Snowden,  G.  X.  Roberts,  and  James  Roberts 
presided  at  the  meeting  called  for  that  purpose,  and  James  Eck- 
ler,  C.  L.  Holmes,  Waldo  Skinner,  W.  H.  Tyler,  \Y.  E.  Wales, 
and  Charles  R.  Pank  were  elected  trustees  of  "The  First  ^letho- 
dist  Episcopal  Church  of  Westford,  N.  Y." 

This  territory  was  probably  a  part  of  the  Otsego  Circuit  until 
the  formation  of  Westford  Circuit  in  1828.  We  have  no  record 
of  Westford  Circuit  earlier  than  1836,  at  which  time  it  comprised 
Worcester,  Jacksonville  ( Jacksonboro,  Schenevus),  Elk  Creek. 
Decatur,  East  Worcester.  Brooker  Hollow,  Richmondville,  West- 
ford, Low's  Schoolhouse,  Elliott  Hill,  Boardman's,  Crumhorn, 
Foster  Schoolhouse.  At  this  time  Decatur  was  the  strongest 
point  on  the  circuit.  The  apportionment  for  pastors  was  $717, 
and  to  be  used  as  follows :  ^Marvin,  $232 :  A.  E.  Daniels, 
$200;  house  rent  for  both,  S40 ;  wood.  $15  and  $30  respectively; 
table  expenses,  $200. 

In  1838  we  find  Westford  Hill,  Red  Schoolhouse,  Quaker  Hill, 
and  Butler's  Corners  among  the  appointments,  and  no  others  are 
mentioned  in  the  apportionment. 

■  In  1839  Westford  and  Crumhorn  are  the  strongest  appoint- 
ments on  the  circuit,  and  in  the  order  named. 

In  1841  Decatur,  Elliott  Hill,  and  Red  Schoolhouse  again  ap- 
pear as  part  of  the  circuit,  and  in  addition  Stone  Schoolhouse  and 
Spencer  Schoolhouse  are  part  of  the  circuit. 

In  July,  1841,  Decatur  Hollow,  Elliott  Hill,  and  West  Worces- 
ter are  set  oflF  as  a  charge,  by  motion,  and  in  the  same  year  Dutch 
Hill  and  South  Valley  appear  as  appointments  on  the  circuit. 

The  Quarterly  Conference  of  July  27.  1844,  by  motion  set  off 
East  Worcester,  Foster  Schoolhouse,  Richmondville.  and  Brook- 
er Hollow,  and  they  became  an  appointment  at  the  ensuing  Con- 
ference known  as  Richmondville.  The  Westford  Circuit  then 
comprised  Westford,  Jacksonboro,  Stone  Schoolhouse,  South 


Elk  Creek,  N.  Y. 


765 


Valley,  Crumhorn,  West  Maryland,  Dutch  Hill,  and  East  Hill. 
Salary,  $400. 

Jn  1850  Westford,  Red  Schoolhouse,  Schenevus,  Crumhorn, 
and  East  Maryland  comprised  the  circuit,  and  in  185 1  Schenevus 
became  a  charge.  All  of  the  above  will  reveal  the  fact  that  the 
circuit  boundaries  were  ever  changing.  From  185 1  until  now 
Westford  and  Red  Schoolhouse  have  comprised  the  charge,  Red 
Schoolhouse  becoming  Elk  Creek. 

We  have  before  us  the  recording  steward's  book  of  Westford 
Circuit  covering  the  years  from  1836  to  1870.  Some  interesting 
facts  are  found  in  it.  It  was  customary  for  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference to  determine  when  the  different  benevolent  collections 
were  to  be  taken,  and  frequently  some  steward  would  be  ap- 
pointed to  superintend  the  taking.  The  officials,  in  estimating, 
the  amount  to  be  paid  the  preacher,  would  allow  a  certain  amount 
for  salary,  another  sum  for  table  expenses,  another  for  house 
rent,  and  still  another  for  traveling  expenses.  A  collection  for 
missions  was  frequently  taken  at  the  Saturday  service  of  quar- 
terly meetings.  Not  until  1863  did  the  good  men  of  this  Quar- 
terly Conference  have  the  temerity  to  concertedly  ask  for  the 
appointment  of  a  certain  preacher  to  their  circuit.  Perhaps  the 
fashion  was  just  becoming  known.  In  this  book  is  a  tabulated 
list  of  parsonage  furniture,  and  the  value  of  each  stated,  making 
a  total  of  $67.01.  This  was  duly  charged  to  the  pastor  of  1857 
and  1858,  and  of  course  credited  when  he  removed.  This  is  a 
business  way  of  caring  for  things,  not  common  in  these  later 
days. 

In  1842  there  were  over  two  hundred  conversions  on  the 
circuit. 

Elk  Creek  is  four  miles  south  of  Westford.  By  reading  the 
above  one  may  get  about  as  definite  an  idea  of  the  beginning  of 
Methodism  at  Elk  Creek  as  we  have. 

The  society  met  on  January  22,  1855,  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
corporating. The  meeting  was  adjourned  to  February  7,  at 
which  time  Myron  Webster,  David  Perry,  Barley  Patrick,  John 
Thompson,  and  Samuel  Thompkins  were  chosen  trustees,  and 
the  society  became  incorporate.  On  February  4,  1857,  the  last 
three  named  were  out  by  expiration  of  term,  and  Samuel  Thomp- 
kins, William  NelHs,  and  F.  W.  Perry  were  elected  to  fill  their 
places. 

On  March  10,  1857,  the  trustees  made  a  contract  with  James 
Bloomfield  to  build  a  church  30x40  with  eighteen-foot  posts, 


766 


Wyoming  Conference 


for  $850.  The  lot  for  the  church  was  bought  of  Hannah,  Free- 
love,  and  Rachel  Perry  for  $75,  the  deed  for  the  same  being 
executed  on  December  2,  1857.  The  building  was  dedicated  on 
Wednesday,  December  9,  1857,  by  Rev.  Joseph  Shank,  who 
preached  the  sermon  of  the  day.  Three  hundred  dollars  was 
spent  in  repairs  in  1865.  On  March  22,  1876,  forty-four  and 
one  third  rods  of  land  were  purchased  of  the  Perrys,  upon  which 
sheds  were  built. 

The  church  w^as  reopened  Thursday,  December  7,  1876.  Rev. 
H.  R.  Clarke  preached  in  the  morning  from  Prov.  xviii,  10,  and 
Rev.  J.  X.  Lee  in  the  evening.  During  the  day  the  total  cost 
of  the  repairs,  $825,  was  raised.  The  building  was  reseated  and 
otherwise  improved  in  1892. 

Pastorates 

1828,  J.  Arnold,  J.  ;M.  Brooks;  1829,  Isaac  Grant,  William 
S.  Bowdish;  1830,  I.  Grant,  E.  Hall,  M.  Baker;  1831,  Calvin 
Hawley;  1832,  Milton  French,  Junia  Warner;  1833,  I.  Grant, 
P.  Ferris;  1834,  Calvin  Hawley,  A.  Fish;  1835,  M.  Marvin,  A. 
Fish,  i.  D.  Warren;  1836,  M.  Marvin,  A.  E.  Daniels;  1837,  A. 
E.  Daniels,  J.  Crawford;  1838,  M.  French  (sd.),  D.  Davis,  P. 
Bartlett;  1839,  E.  L.  North,  P.  Bartlett;  1840,  A.  E.  Daniels,  A. 
Brown;  1841,  M.  Marvin,  A.  Brown,  R.  Xelson ;  1842,  A.  E. 
Daniels,  ^I.  Marvin;  1843,  Francis  D.  Higgins,  Richard  Stock- 
ley;  1844,  F.  D.  Higgins;  1845,  Joseph  Shank,  E.  D.  Thurston; 
1846,  Joseph  Shank;  1847,  G.  Parsons,  W.  C.  McDonald;  1848, 
G.  Parsons;  1849,  A.  Queal,  W.  C.  McDonald:  1850,  E.  L. 
North,  M.  Marvin;  1851-52,  D.  L.  Pendell;  1853-54,  J.  M. 
Searles ;  1855-56,  A.  E.  Daniels;  1857-58,  L.  E.  IMar^'in ;  1859- 
60.  B.  B.  Carruth;  1861,  S.  H.  Hill,  H.  V.  Talbott;  1862-63, 
R.  W.  Peebles;  1864-65,  J.  W.  Mevis;  1866-67,  Joel  Davis; 
1868-69,  H.  Fox;  1870-71,  John  Pilkington ;  1872-74,  A.  J.  Cook; 
1875-77,  A.  F.  Brown;  1878,  H.  A.  Blanchard ;  1879-80,  J.  S. 
Southworth;  1881-83,  T.  F.  Hall;  1884-86,  B.  P.  Ripley;  1887,  J. 
G.  Stephens;  1888-90,  A.  Wrigley;  1891-92,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1893- 
94,  C.  C.  Vrooman;  1895-96,  S.  G.  Snowdon ;  1897,  L.  A.  Wild; 
1898-1901,  G.  N.  Underwood;  1902-03,  A.  R.  Clarke. 

Windsor,  N.  Y. 

^Methodism  was  introduced  into  Windsor  township  in  1799, 
and  the  territory  was  part  of  Tioga  Circuit,  and  continued  there 
until  the  formation  of  Broome  Circuit,  when  it  became  a  part 


Windsor,  N.  Y. 


767 


of  that  circuit.  "Windsor  was  an  old  l)attlegroun(l  of  Metho- 
dism long  before  there  was  a  Methodist  in  Binghamton,  although 
it  does  not  appear  in  the  Minutes  until  1832/' 

A  quarterly  meeting  was  held  in  Windsor  in  the  spring  o'f 
1803.  P^^t  of  the  services  were  held  in  the  new  Presbyterian 
church,  which  was  in  an  unfinished  state,  and  the  love  feast 
was  held  in  the  barroom  of  the  house  of  David  Hotchkiss,  Esq. 
This  was  the  first  Methodist  preaching  service  in  the  village. 
In  1810  a  class  was  formed  at  the  house  of  Roswell  Higley, 
with  the  following  members :    Mrs.  Molly  Andrews,  Reuben 


WINDSOR  CHURCH 


Stevens  and  wife,  Frederick  Goodell  and  wife  Rhoda  and  their 
son  William.  Mr.  Goodell  had  been  raised  a  Congregationalist, 
while  his  wife  was  a  Baptist  from  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y. 
Reuben  Stevens  was  appointed  leader.  He  and  his  wife  had 
been  Methodists  in  Connecticut.  This  class,  however,  was  not 
in  the  village.  In  1824  Horace  Agard  formed  a  class  in  an  old 
schoolhouse  in  Windsor  village.  This  was  the  beginning  of 
Methodism  in  the  village.  The  members  were  Judge  Harper 
(who  was  converted  in  1816),  Timothy  Rose,  and  B.  Marvin. 
Meetings  were  now  transferred  from  Higley's  house  to  the 
village. 

The  following  are  noted  as  members  of  the  first  Quarterly 
Conference  in  the  recording  steward's  book:    Timothy  Rose, 


768 


Wyoming  Conference 


recording  steward,  Edwin  Walter,  circuit  steward,  Daniel  Blatch- 
ley,  exhorter,  William  Conklin,  L.  Dyer,  Ely  Osborn,  John  Whit- 
ham,  Frederick  Judd,  S.  S.  Stevenson,  Chester  Hicox,  J.  Cor- 
nish, and  a  Mr.  Way. 

In  a  letter  to  us,  some  years  ago,  Rev.  C.  V.  Arnold  gave  us  a 
list  of  the  preaching  places  on  the  circuit  when  he  served  it  in 
1848.  Windsor  Village  Church,  Higley  Hollow,  Stilson  Hollow 
(in  a  Baptist  church),  Osborne  Hollow  Church,  State  Road,  Port 
Crane,  Kirkwood,  Bound,  Trowbridge,  Loderville  (now  Great 
Bend),  Dutch  Hill,  Locust  Hill,  Conklin  Church  (now  River- 
side), Hazzard,  Randolph,  South  Hollow,  Andrews'  Hill, 
Young's,  Coles'  Hill,  Ouaquaga,  Andrus,  Sherwood's,  Pickering's 
Corners,  all  being  schoolhouse  appointments  except  when  other- 
wise stated.  It  was  a  four-weeks'  circuit,  the  preacher  preach- 
ing every  day  or  evening  three  weeks  and  resting  the  fourth 
week. 

The  society  met  in  the  schoolhouse  on  Monday  evening,  De- 
cember 27,  1830.  Rev.  M.  R.  Cushman  and  Gideon  Hotchkiss 
were  judges  of  election,  and  Isaac  G.  Higley,  George  Harper, 
Esq.,  Elmore  Russell,  Jr.,  Timothy  Rose,  Gideon  Hotchkiss, 
Philo  Woodruff,  and  Barzillai  Marvin  were  elected  trustees. 

The  first  church  was  erected  about  this  time. 

The  society  met  at  the  chapel  on  November  22,  1845.  Ben- 
jamin H.  Russell  and  Jeremiah  Hull  were  judges  of  election, 
and  B.  H.  Russell,  William  Pardee,  James  C.  Chapel,  Isaac  G. 
Higley,  Jeremiah  Hull,  and  Chauncey  Garney  were  elected  trus- 
tees. The  society  became  incorporated  the  third  time  on  June  3, 
1 86 1,  when  James  C.  Chapel,  Darwin  C.  Doolittle,  and  Lucian 
Woodrufif  were  elected  trustees  of  ''The  Windsor  IMethodist 
Episcopal  Church." 

On  Wednesday,  February  10,  1875,  after  extensive  repairs, 
the  church  was  reopened.  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  preached  in  the 
morning  from  Hag.  ii,  9,  and  after  his  sermon  asked  for  $1,000, 
receiving  $1,128.  In  the  evening  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd  preached 
from  I  Tim.  iii,  15,  and  at  the  close  of  the  sermon  $40  was  raised 
with  which  to  fit  up  the  grounds.  A.  W.  Coburn  gave  the  cush- 
ions, which  cost  $270,  and  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  carpeted  the 
church  at  a  cost  of  $230. 

In  1899  an  extension  21x26  feet  was  built  on  the  church, 
with  a  tower  over  the  entrance.  This  addition  includes  a  hall, 
with  open  stairway  and  Epworth  League  room  on  the  first  floor, 
and  a  parlor  and  kitchen  above.  The  auditorium  was  reseated, 
recarpeted,  and  new  windows  put  in.    The  total  expense  was 


East  Windsor,  N.  Y. 


769 


$1,650.  The  church  was  reopened  on  Friday,  April  13,  1900, 
Rev.  A.  W.  Hayes,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  afternoon  and  Rev. 
T.  F.  Hall  in  the  evening.  During  the  day  $754  was  raised  to 
fully  provide  for  the  improvements. 

Among  the  many  revivals  which  have  blessed  this  congrega- 
tion the  one  of  the  fall  of  1900  will  long  be  remembered. 

The  parsonage  property  was  originally  given  to  the  society  by 
Father  Higley  on  condition  that  the  society  pay  him  $20  annually 
during  his  life.  In  1897  one  half  the  original  lot,  with  the  old 
parsonage,  was  sold  for  $575  and  the  present  house  built,  cost- 
ing $2,000. 

East  Windsor  church  is  four  miles  north  of  Windsor.  The 
class  was  organized  in  1812  and  incorporated  in  1852.  The 
church  originally  stood  about  one  mile  north  of  its  present  site, 
and  was  built  in  1852,  at  a  cost  of  $600.  In  1881  $450  was  spent 
in  repairs,  and  in  1893  the  building  was  moved  to  its  present 
site. 

This  class  formed  a  part  of  Ouaquaga  charge  some  years. 
Very  gracious  revivals  visited  this  society  in  1875,  1894, 
and  1901. 

Silas  and  Roxie  Cresson,  now  past  eighty  years  of  age,  have 
been  strong  pillars  in  this  society  many  years. 

The  Free  Methodist  society,  now  occupying  a  church  nearly 
across  the  road  from  the  old  site,  arose  as  a  result  of  a  revival 
conducted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Southworth,  of  the  Free  Methodist 
Church.  The  meetings  were  held  in  the  old  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church  at  a  time  when  no  regular  Methodist  Episcopal  pastor 
occupied  the  pulpit. 

Pastorates 

1832,  M.  Ruger,  Robert  Fox;  1833,  R.  Fox;  1834,  Adam 
Yawger,  R.  Ingalls;  1835,  A.  Johnson,  W.  Wyatt;  1836,  S. 
Stocking,  L.  SaHsbury;  1837,  A.  Calder,  E.  G.  Bush;  1838,  A. 
Calder,  J.  R.  Boswell;  1839,  Selah  Stocking,  L.  S.  Bennett,  L. 
Pitts;  1840,  A.  Burlingame,  W.  Crandall;  1841,  Ira  Wilcox,  W. 
Crandall;  1842,  George  Evans,  L.  C.  Woodford;  1843,  George 
Evans,  Asa  Brooks;  1844,  Asa  Brooks,  Wesley  H.  Miller;  1845, 
R.  S.  Rose,  H.  Filbeam;  1846,  D.  Davies,  Alpheus  Hamilton; 
1847,  D.  Davies,  T.  R.  Tuck;  1848,  H.  Ercanbrack,  C.  V.  Arnold; 
1849-50,  L.  D.  Tryon;  1851-52,  WilHam  Round;  1853-54,  Wil- 
liam Roberts;  1855,  J.  A.  Wood;  1856-57,  A.  F.  Harding;  1858- 
59,  G.  R.  Hair;  i860,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1861-62,  William  Round; 
1863-64,  L.  C.  Floyd;  1865-66,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1867,  William 
49 


770 


Wyoming  Conference 


Round,  C.  A.  Ward ;  1868-69,  W.  B.  Thomas ;  1870-71,  W.  W.  An- 
drews; 1872-73,  C.  D.  Shepard;  1874-76,  A.  M.  Colegrove; 
1877,  I.  P.  Towner,  E.  B.  Aldrich;  1878-79,  L.  A.  Wild;  1880- 
81,  W.  G.  Queal;  1882-83,  S.  Homan;  1884-86,  G.  A.  Sever- 
son;  1887-90,  B.  P.  Ripley;  1891-94,  E.  Kilpatrick;  1895-96, 
F.  N.  Smith;  1897-98,  M.  S.  Godshall;  1899-1901,  D.  L.  Mc- 
Donald; 1902-03,  R.  W.  Lowry. 

Worcester,  N.  Y. 

Worcester  Methodism  began  at  a  very  early  day,  at  least  as 
early  as  1837,  ^  Quarterly  Conference  of  the  Westford  Cir- 
cuit in  1837  appointed  a  committee  "to  sell  or  rent  the  Methodist 
Meetinghouse  in  Worcester."  On  February  15,  1840,  the  trus- 
tees of  the  Emory  society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 


WORCESTER  CHURCH 


Worcester  sold  to  the  Baptist  church  in  Worcester  one  half  of 
lot,  church,  and  sheds  for  $300.  We  are  unable  to  locate  this 
church. 

The  society  in  the  village  of  Worcester  had  its  origin  in  the 
class  organized  in  the  Red  Schoolhouse,  February  i,  1857.  At 
that  time  East  Worcester  was  the  principal  point  on  the  charge. 
The  village  now  known  as  Worcester,  formerly  known  as  West 
Worcester,  had  scarcely  begun  to  grow  at  that  time.  The  Red 
Schoolhouse  was  situated  near  the  little  settlement  known  as 
Tuscon,  about  one  mile  west  of  Worcester,  on  the  road  to  Sche- 
nevus.    Preaching  was  first  in  the  schoolhouse,  subsequently  in  a 


Worcester,  N.  Y. 


771 


building  which  was  originally  built  for  an  academy  and  which 
had  been  fitted  up  so  as  to  accommodate  the  society.  It  was  un- 
inviting and  out-of-the-way.  In  1871  the  present  site  was 
secured  and  a  church  36x56  feet,  with  tower  and  bell,  was 
erected  at  a  total  cost  of  $3,600.  This  was  made  possible  by 
several  large  gifts,  the  principal  one  of  which  was  a  gift  of  $700 
from  the  Queal  brothers.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  Thurs- 
day, November  9,  1871.  Rev.  J.  T.  Peck,  D.D.,  preached  in 
the  morning  and  Rev.  W.  G.  Queal  in  the  afternoon.  Rev.  W. 
N.  Cobb  conducted  the  dedicatory  service. 

In  1895  the  church  was  remodeled  at  a  cost  of  $4,100.  The 
building  was  put  into  its  present  attractive  shape.  Two  thou- 
sand dollars  had  been  raised,  $2,100  was  needed,  $1,900  of  which 
was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication.  It  was  dedicated  on  Thurs- 
day, October  10,  1895.  Rev.  J.  B.  Hamilton  preached  in  the 
morning,  in  the  afternoon  addresses  were  made  by  Revs.  J.  H. 
Littell  and  William  Edgar,  and  Bishop  E.  G.  Andrews  preached 
in  the  evening. 

The  society  met  for  incorporation  on  January  10,  1884.  Julius 
T.  Hadwell  and  Eli  Denny  presided,  and  James  Pickett,  George 
Slam,  and  Edgar  Prindle  were  elected  trustees. 

The  parsonage  property  was  bought  on  March  24,  1884,  of 
Giles  C.  Goodenough  and  wife  Alida  for  $1,300.  In  1901  a  new 
parsonage  was  built  costing  $2,100.  This  was  made  possible  by 
a  bequest  of  Ann  Smith  of  $1,000,  which  was  used  toward  the 
enterprise. 

Worcester  and  East  Worcester  were  separated  in  1883. 

Pastorates 

1855-56,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1857-58,  Delos  Potter;  1859,  P- 
Hughston;  1860-61,  J.  W.  Mevis;  1862,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1863- 
64,  I.  D.  Peaslee;  1865,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1866,  W.  E.  Hyde;  1867, 
C.  D.  Mead;  1868-69,  George  Parsons;  1870-72,  H.  V.  Talbot; 
1873-74,  S.  Moore;  1875-77,  J.  N.  Lee;  1878-79,  N.  S.  Rey- 
nolds; 1880-82,  T.  P.  Halstead;  1883,  J.  D.  Belknap;  1884-86, 
W.  Edgar;  1887-88,  A.  J.  Cook;  1889,  T.  P.  Halstead;  1890, 
G.  F.  Ace;  1891-93,  J.  H.  Littell;  1894-95,  H.  B.  Benedict; 
1896,  H.  A.  Williams;  1897,  F.  N.  Smith;  1898-99,  H.  A. 
Greene;  1900,  T.  B.  Miller;  1901,  T.  B.  Miller,  Joseph  Baird ; 
1902-03,  Joseph  Baird. 


772 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  XV 
OWEGO  BISTRICT 

Apalachin,  N.  Y. 

Apalachin  appears  among  the  preaching  places  on  Vestal  Cir- 
cuit as  early  as  1845.  The  class  met  at  the  schoolhouse  about  one 
mile  above  the  village. 

On  June  21,  1852,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse  at 
Apalachin,  over  which  Peter  W.  Cochran  and  Samuel  Sparks  pre- 
sided.  *'The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 


APALACHIN  CHURCH 


Apalachin"  was  incorporated,  with  Nathaniel  Catlin,  Peter  W. 
Cochran,  H.  S.  Warner,  Charles  Buffum,  and  Samuel  Sparks 
trustees.  Nothing  seems  to  have  been  accomplished  by  this  incor- 
poration. 

During  the  summer  of  1874,  Rev.  T.  F.  Moore,  a  local  preacher 
from  Owego,  who  was  appointed  to  the  place  in  the  spring, 
held  meetings  in  the  Apalachin  schoolhouse,  and  in  the  fall  held 
a  three-days'  grove  meeting  which  was  followed  by  a  series  of  re- 


South  Owego,  N.  Y. 


773 


vival  meetings.  The  congregations  became  too  large  for  the  ca- 
pacity of  the  schoolhouse,  and  the  Presbyterian  church  was  secured. 
The  meetings  continued  five  weeks,  and  at  their  close  a  society 
was  organized  with  about  forty-five  members.  A  class  from  Mut- 
ton Hill  became  a  part  of  this  society  at  this  time.  The  class  be- 
came a  part  of  Campville  charge  in  1876,  having  been  served  by 
T.  F.  Moore  in  1874  and  J.  C.  Calnon  in  1875.  In  1883  Apalachin, 
South  Owego,  and  Campville  were  constituted  a  charge  bearing 
the  name  of  Apalachin. 

On  October  25,  1875,  the  society  met  at  the  Wesleyan  house  of 
worship  in  Apalachin  and  elected  Ira  T.  Hayes,  Walter  Notewire. 
John  Dingman,  Lansing  Goodenow,  and  George  Like  trustees. 

On  March  27,  1885,  Laura  A.  Jennings,  in  consideration  of  $750, 
deeded  the  society  a  house  and  lot,  the  lot  containing  about  one 
acre  of  land.  The  church  enterprise  was  begun  in  1886,  and  on 
November  2,  1887,  the  church,  which  cost  $2,500,  was  dedicated. 
Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon  at  11 
A.  M.,  and  Rev.  W.  M.  Hiller  preaching  in  the  evening.  One 
thousand  dollars  was  raised  during  the  day.  A  gracious  revival 
occurred  in  the  following  winter. 

South  Owego  is  about  midway  between  Apalachin  and  Little 
Meadows.  The  class  was  organized  in  1830,  and  became  a  part 
of  Vestal  Circuit  in  183 1.  The  schoolhouse  was  used  as  a  place  of 
worship  until  the  church  was  built. 

On  May  20,  1856,  the  society  became  incorporated,  with  Ezra 
Tallmadge,  Caleb  Lamb,  Clark  Beecher,  Russell  D.  Gifford,  Smith 
Gould,  H.  B.  Gifford,  and  William  G.  Knight  as  trustees. 

On  June  24,  1856,  Charles  Beecher  and  wife  Mary  deeded  the 
society  three  quarters  of  an  acre  of  land  as  a  gift.  The  church, 
which  cost  $1,200,  w^as  dedicated  in  July,  1857.  The  building  has 
been  improved  since. 

The  class  was  with  Little  Meadows  some  time  before  becoming 
a  part  of  Apalachin  charge. 

Pastorates 

1855,  Joseph  Whitham;  1856,  L  P.  Towner;  1857-73,   ; 

1874,  T.  F.  Moore;  1875,  J.  C.  Calnon;  1876-82,  with  Campville; 
1883-84,  C.  H.  Basford;  1885-86,  L.  W.  Peck;  1887-89,  N.  W. 
Barnes;  1890-91,  M.  R.  Kerr;  1892-93,  R.  W.  Lowry;  1894,  S.  E. 
Hunt;  1895,  J.  R.  Allen;  1896-97,  S.  H.  Flory;  1898,  A.  C. 
Brackenbury;  1899-1901,  E.  A.  Martin;  1902-03,  G.  D.  Fisher. 


774 


Wyoming  Conference 


Athens,  Pa. 

John  Saltmarsh  moved  from  Connecticut  to  Athens  (then  called 
Tioga  Point)  in  1801,  and  bnilt  a  hotel  on  Main  Street,  near  the 
corner  of  the  street  which  crosses  the  Chemung  bridge.  He  in- 
terested himself  in  the  Lord's  work,  being  a  Christian,  and  gave 
the  use  of  his  house  to  the  Methodist  itinerants  for  public  services. 
It  is  claimed  that  Lorenzo  Dow  preached  in  his  house  in  1810. 
About  181 5  a  blacksmith  by  the  name  of  Shippey  settled  near  Mr. 
Saltmarsh,  and  is  supposed  by  some  to  have  formed  a  class,  but 
the  statement  cannot  be  verified. 

In  1832  a  class  was  formed,  and  preaching  and  other  services 
have  been  maintained  until  the  present.  The  first  class  must  have 
had  but  few  members ;  for  when  Chester  Park  moved  into  the 
place  from  Sheshequin  in  1834,  and  united  with  the  class,  there 
were  but  two  members  in  the  class  besides  himself  and  wife — C. 
Harsh  and  Esther  Saltmarsh.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Park  were  earnest 
Christians,  and  were  a  valuable  help  to  the  feeble  society.  Mr. 
Park  was  local  preacher,  class  leader,  steward,  trustee,  and  very 
efficient  in  each.  After  the  organization  of  the  class  in  1832  Sun- 
day services  were  held  in  the  academy  until  it  was  burned  in  1842. 
The  destruction  of  the  school  building  prompted  the  society  to 
build  a  church.  It  stood  about  a  block  below  the  present  Presby- 
terian church,  a  little  off  from  Main  Street,  and  was  dedicated  in 
1844,  Rev.  Jonas  Dodge,  of  Elmira,  preaching  the  dedicatory  ser- 
mon. The  board  of  trustees  at  that  time  included  C.  Park,  William 
Norton,  Elisha  Matthewson,  C.  M.  Harsh,  James  H.  Scott,  and 
John  E.  Smith.  During  the  session  of  the  Oneida  Conference  at 
Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  from  July  23  to  August  i,  1851,  the  church  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  The  society  was  greatly  discouraged.  By  the 
help  of  many  friends  on  Newark  District  and  of  some  charges  on 
Susquehanna  District  a  new  church  was  built  of  brick,  costing 
$1,300,  and  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  February  26,  1852,  Rev. 
W.  H.  Pearne  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

Prior  to  1843  the  society  was  a  part  of  the  Barton  Circuit.  From 
1843  to  1845  it  was  with  Factory ville,  and  served  in  1843-44  by 
P.  S.  Worden,  in  1845  by  A.  G.  Burlingame.  From  1846  to  1850 
it  was  with  Barton  Circuit  again,  and  during  1851-52  it  was  with 
Waverly  again.  In  1853  Athens  appeared  as  a  charge  among  the 
appointments.  The  society  was  not  strong  enough  to  stand  the 
demands  of  independent  existence,  and  in  a  few  years  sought  an 
advantageous  alliance.  Accordingly,  in  1858  the  society  l:)ecame  a 
part  of  the  Ulster  charge  in  the  East  Genesee  Conference,  eight 


Athens,  Pa. 


775 


miles  down  the  Susquehanna,  and  was  served  in  1858  by  Rev. 
Messrs.  Armstrong  and  Coolbaugh.  In  1859  Rev.  H.  T.  Avery 
served  the  society,  and  abandoned  this  class  before  the  end  of  the 
year  because  of  discouragements.  At  this  juncture  Rev.  G.  P. 
Porter,  the  pastor  at  Waverly,  went  to  the  rescue,  united  discordant 
elements,  and  supplied  the  class  with  preaching  services.  The 
class  came  back  to  Wyoming  Conference,  and  in  i860  became  a 
part  of  Waverly  charge,  where  it  remained  until  1867.  At  this 
time  the  class  had  but  sixteen  members.  A  revival  during  the 
winter  of  1861-62,  in  which  there  were  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  conversions,  added  much  strength  to  the  class.    In  1867 


ATHENS  CHURCH 


Athens  and  Litchfield  formed  a  charge,  and  so  remained  until  1870, 
when  Litchfield  was  detached,  and  Athens  was  again  an  inde- 
pendent charge.  In  1874  the  Athens  pastor  organized  a  class  at 
Say  re,  which  continued  a  part  of  Athens  charge  until  1883. 

The  present  church,  which  cost  $13,618,  was  erected  in  1884 
and  dedicated  on  Sunday,  December  7,  1884,  Chaplain  McCabe 
preaching  morning  and  evening.  Over  $5,500  was  secured  on  a 
four  years'  subscription.  A  shrinkage  in  subscriptions  caused  the 
society  some  embarrassment.  In  1888  $1,600  was  paid  on  debt, 
and  in  1889  $250  was  received  from  Mrs.  Priscilla  Bennett  and 
enough  money  raised  on  the  charge  to  pay  its  interest  and  $1,000 
on  principal.  In  1890  the  debt  was  reduced  another  $1,000.  In 
1892  the  parsonage  was  built,  costing  $2,500,  and  the  church  im- 


7/6 


Wyoming  Conference 


proved  at  an  expense  of  $520.  A  part  of  the  total  cost  was  raised 
at  the  time.  In  the  spring  of  1894  the  society  found  itself  $8,000 
in  debt.  During  the  year  $3,000  was  paid  on  the  debt  and  the  bal- 
ance refunded  at  four  per  cent.  Since  this  time  the  debt  has  been 
reduced  until  it  is  now  but  $500. 

In  1890  one  hundred  and  fifty  conversions  were  reported,  and  in 
1896  one  hundred  and  eleven  probationers  were  received.  These 
were  among  the  more  extensive  revivals  in  the  history  of  the 
charge. 

The  church  has  a  pipe  organ  secured  by  the  aid  of  Andrew  Car- 
negie. 

Pastorates 

Athens  and  Litchfield,  1867-68,  W.  M.  Hiller;  1869,  D.  Perso- 
neus;  Athens  alone,  1870-71,  D.  Personeus;  1872,  C.  O.  Hanmer; 
1873,  supplied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Armstrong,  from  the  Genesee  Confer- 
ence; 1874,  S.  W.  Lindsley;  1875-77,  W.  N.  Cobb;  1878-79,  G.  M. 
Chamberlain;  1880-82,  A.  W.  Hood;  1883-84,  G.  T.  Price;  1885, 
J.  Ryder;  1886-87,  H.  H.  Dresser;  1888,  T.  P.  Halstead ;  1889-93, 
G.  A.  Place;  1894-98,  G.  A.  Cure;  1899-1901,  C.  A.  Benjamin; 
1902-03,  W.  G.  Simpson. 

Barton,  N.  Y. 

The  territory  in  this  charge  was  a  part  of  Tioga  Circuit  until 
the  Spencer  Circuit  was  formed  in  1821,  when  it  became  a  part  of 
that  circuit  and  remained  there  until  the  formation  of  the  Barton 
Circuit  in  1829.  It  was  taken  from  Spencer  Circuit  and  is  said 
to  have  been  formed  for  the  special  accommodation  of  Rev.  John 
Grifiing.  ''Advancing  age,  with  its  infirmities,  and  the  purchase 
of  a  farm  a  little  below  Owego,  made  it  desirable  that  he  should 
have  a  more  circumscribed  field  than  usual,  and  one  nearer  home. 
Barton  Circuit  was  therefore  made  for  him.  It  embraced  all  the 
territory  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Susquehanna  from  Owego  to 
Athens,  thence  up  the  Chemung  Valley  to  Elmira."  In  1837  the 
circuit  included  Barton,  Smithboro,  Ross  Hill,  Barton  Hill,  Tioga 
Center,  EUistown,  Factoryville,  and  the  Burhyte  neighborhood. 
In  1840  the  following  were  the  apportionments  on  the  circuit  for 
pastor's  salary:  Smithboro,  $110;  Tioga,  $75;  Factoryville,  $125; 
EUistown,  $80;  Barton,  $80;  Athens,  $75;  Talmadge  Hill,  $25; 
Shipman's,  $25  ;  Ross  Hill  $25  ;  West  Hill,  S20 ;  Burhyte's,  $1 5. 

The  Barton  class  was  formed  in  1805,  though  preaching  serv- 
ices were  held  here  as  early  as  1800.  Services  were  held  in  the 
schoolhouse  until  the  church  was  built.   Ground  for  a  church  was 


Smitiiboro,  N.  Y. 


777 


secured  in  1832  and  a  subscription  started  for  the  building  of  a 
church.  The  church  was  buik  in  1835  and  1836,  and  dedicated 
in  the  summer  of  1836.  This  church  stood  on  the  hill  above  the 
site  of  the  present  church. 

On  August  18,  1892,  in  consideration  of  $201.50,  Elliott  L. 
Bensley  and  others  deeded  to  the  society  its  present  church  lot. 
The  present  church  and  furnishings  cost  $2,400,  and  was  dedi- 
cated on  Thursday,  March  14,  1893,  Rev.  A.  Griffin  preaching  in 
the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  F.  Warner  in  the  evening.  Rev.  W. 
Treible  conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  The  sum  of  $580  was 
raised  at  the  morning  service. 

The  first  parsonage  was  bought  and  repaired  in  the  spring  of 
1849,  and  the  present  parsonage  was  bought  of  Alonzo  Davenport 
on  October  10,  1894,  for  $600. 

Sinithhoro  was  a  preaching  place  for  the  Methodist  itinerant 
about  the  days  when  the  work  in  Barton  began.  The  class  wor- 
shiped in  the  house  of  Mr.  S.  Light  many  years.  This  Mr.  Light 
entertained  Bishop  Asbury  in  July,  1807.  We  quote  from  his 
journal : 

"Saturday,  11.  [July  11,  1807.]  Brought  us  to  the  camp  meeting 
on  Squire  Light's  ground ;  we  found  it  had  been  in  operation  two 
days.  God  is  in  the  camp  and  with  us.  I  preached  on  the  camp 
ground  from  Matt,  xviii,  2.  Some  sots  were  a  little  disorderly, 
but  the  greater  part  of  the  congregation  were  very  attentive.  Weak 
as  I  was,  I  did  not  spare  myself,  my  subject,  or  my  hearers.  It 
may  be,  I  spoke  to  one  thousand  people.  Since  the  last  Sabbath 
we  have  traveled  a  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  and  with 
good  roads  and  with  even  ground  we  might  have  made 
three  hundred  miles  in  the  same  time.  The  heights  of  the 
Susquehanna  are  stupendous ;  the  bottom  lands  very  fertile ; 
but  this  river  runs  through  a  country  of  unpleasing  aspect, 
morally  and  physically — rude,  irregular,  uncultivated  is  the 
ground;  wild,  ignorant,  and  wicked  are  the  people.  They  have 
not  been  wearied  by  my  labors;  except  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Lancaster,  and  by  what  I  may  once  have  done  in  a  visit  to  Wyo- 
ming, they  are  strangers  to  them.  I  am  now  on  my  first  journey  of 
toil  and  suffering  through  Genesee  and  Tioga. 

''Sunday,  12.  My  subject  was  2  Cor.  v,  20.  My  congregation 
may  have  doubled  in  numbers  to-day ;  and  there  were  no  trouble- 
some drunkards.  I  feel  as  if  God  would  own  this  meeting  now, 
and  continue  to  own  it  many  days,  in  various  families  and  places. 
I  ordained  five  worthy  men  local  preachers,  namely,  Daniel  Wilcox, 


778 


Wyoming  Conference 


John  B.  Hudson,  Samuel  Emmit,  John  McCaine,  and  Nathaniel 
Lewis,  to  the  office  of  deacon.  Had  I  not  made  this  visit,  these 
men  might  have  waited  a  long  time,  or  taken  a  long  ride  to  find 
me.  In  the  afternoon  (Sabbath)  there  was  an  uproar  amongst  the 
people.  Some  intoxicated  young  men  seated  themselves  by  the 
women,  and  refused  to  move  until  compelled;  they  fought  those 
men  who  came  to  take  them  away,  and  when  the  presiding  elder 
interfered  they  struck  at  him,  and  one  of  the  guards  also,  who  was 
helping  by  order  of  the  constables.  There  were  magistrates  (such 
as  they  were)  to  cry  peace.  The  Owego  gentry  fled  away  cackling 
falsehood  like  wild  geese.  One  Kemp,  chief  bully,  arrested  A. 
Owen,  on  Monday  morning,  for  the  Sabbath  breaking,  drunken- 
ness, and  fighting  of  this  Kemp  and  his  crew.  The  presiding  elder 
was  charged  with  having  struck  Kemp,  and  then  running  away; 
nor  was  the  poor  bishop  spared — he  too  had  been  fighting:  it 
was  well  for  him  that  he  was  not  on  the  ground  at  the  time — I  was 
quiet  in  my  room." — Journal,  vol.  iii,  259,  260. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  the  schoolhouse  in  district  No.  4,  town  of 
Tioga,  on  November  19,  1832,  at  which  time  "The  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Society  of  Smithboro"  was  incorporated,  and  John  Light, 
Andrew  Bonham,  and  Benjamin  V.  Brooks  elected  trustees.  The 
society  decided  that  its  seal  should  be  a  triangle,  and  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  superintend  the  building  of  a  church.  The  com- 
mittee entered  into  a  contract  with  C.  C.  Youtz  and  Willard  Crats- 
ley  to  build  a  church  for  $1,500.  The  church  was  erected  in  1833- 
34,  and  dedicated  in  the  fall  of  1834.  On  January  7,  1855,  "it  was 
resolved  that  all  orthodox  societies  of  any  denomination  shall  have 
the  privilege  of  preaching  at  any  time  in  the  Smithboro  clmrch, 
when  unoccupied,  but  none  other,  at  any  time."  After  expending 
$1,100  in  remodeling  the  church  it  was  reopened  on  Thursday, 
January  25,  1866.  Rev.  William  Searls  preached  in  the  morning 
from  2  Cor.  ix,  15,  and  Rev.  G.  P.  Porter  in  the  evening  from  Psa. 
xc,  17.  Four  hundred  dollars  was  raised  during  the  day  to  fully 
provide  for  the  improvements. 

The  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  24th  of  May,  1887. 
The  fire  is  believed  to  have  been  caused  by  sparks  from  an  engine 
on  the  Erie  Railroad.  A  building  committee  was  appointed 
on  May  31,  1887,  and  the  present  site  purchased  soon  after  for 
$150.  It  was  deeded  to  the  society  on  September  12,  1887,  by 
Michael  Smith  and  wife  Celinda.  The  church,  which  cost  $2,700, 
was  dedicated  in  June,  1888. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  society  held  on  January  5,  1841,  at  which 
Rev.  H.  Agard  and  S.  Knapp  presided,  the  society  reincorporated 


Ross  Hill,  N.  Y. 


779 


with  the  corporate  name  of  "Trustees  of  the  First  Society  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Smithboro,"  and  elected  S.  N. 
White,  A.  Bonham,  B.  Brooks,  B.  Smith,  and  James  Waterman 
trustees. 

Ross  Hill  class  is  said  to  have  been  formed  about  1850.  Many 
from  this  place  had  belonged  to  a  class  at  Oak  Hill.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  society  held  on  February  13,  i860,  at  the  house  of  Jacob 
Smith,  at  which  Peter  Ross  acted  as  chairman  and  James  Love- 
lass  secretary,  the  society  became  incorporated  as  "The  Hedding 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  Barton  Circuit," 
and  elected  Michael  Smith,  John  S.  Johnson,  John  G.  Smith, 
Thomas  Atcherson,  John  W.  Meeker,  Ellis  H.  Ross,  and  Jacob 
Smith  trustees.  The  seal  of  the  society  is  diamond  in  form.  On 
March  10,  i860,  in  consideration  of  $1,  John  S.  Johnson  and  wife 
Maria  deeded  the  society  a  lot  on  condition  that  a  church  should 
be  erected  in  one  year.  The  church  cost  $1,000,  and  was  dedi- 
cated on  Thursday,  November  i,  i860.  The  Owego  Ministerial 
Association  met  in  the  church  the  two  days  preceding  dedication. 

Pastorates 

1829,  John  Griffing,  Palmer  Roberts,  John  Parker;  1830,  S.  H. 
Stocking;  1831,  Miles  H.  Gaylord;  1832,  J.  Griffing,  S.  B.  Yar- 
rington;  1833,  J-  Griffing,  M.  Sherman,  C.  W.  Giddings ;  1834, 
C.  W.  Harris,  E.  B.  Tenney;  1835,  S.  H.  Stocking,  A.  Warren; 
1836,  S.  H.  Stocking,  J.  O.  Boswell,  W.  H.  Pearne;  1837,  J.  O. 
Boswell,  W.  Wyatt;  1838,  B.  D.  Sniffin,  H.  Benjamin;  1839,  B.  D. 
Sniffin,  J.  R.  Boswell ;  1840,  H.  Agard,  J.  R.  Boswell ;  1841,  Darius 
Simons,  John  Mulkey;  1842,  D.  Simons,  B.  Ellis;  1843,  George 
Harmon;  1844-45,  Erastus  Smith;  1846,  M.  Ruger;  A.  G.  Bur- 
lingame;  1847,  W.  Round,  E.  Owen,  B.  Ellis;  1848,  W.  Round, 
E.  Owen;  1849,  V.  M.  Coryell,  O.  L.  Torry;  1850,  V.  M.  Coryell, 
A.  P.  Mead;  1851,  King  Elwell;  1852-53,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1854,  P. 
Bartlett;  1855-57,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1858-59,  Welcome  Smith;  1860- 
61,  C.  E.  Taylor;  1862-63,  F.  S.  Chubbuck;  1864,  C.  W.  Todd; 
1865-66,  J.  Madison;  1867-68,  W.  Keatley;  1869,  R.  Hiorns; 
1870-71,  A.  F.  Harding;  1872,  J.  B.  Santee;  1873,  J.  B.  Davis; 
1874-76,  J.  C.  Brainard;  1877-79,  L.  Peck;  1880-82,  J.  B.  Chy- 
noweth;  1883-85,  S.  B.  Keeney;  1886-87,  L.  Peck;  1888-89,  S.  F. 
Wright;  1890-91,  A.  F.  Brown;  1892-96,  S.  A.  Terry;  1897-99, 
S.  E.  Hunt;  1900,  C.  D.  Skinner;  1901-02,  Thomas  Livingstone; 
1903,  J.  B.  Davis. 


78o 


Wyoming  Conference 


Berkshire,  N.  Y. 

The  first  Methodist  sermon  preached  in  Berkshire  was  deliv- 
ered in  1808  by  a  Rev.  ^Ir.  Winslow.  During  the  next  nineteen 
years  this  place  was  a  part  of  adjoining  charges.  In  1828  Berk- 
shire appeared  among  the  appointments. 

The  town  was  settled  by  New  Englanders  who  were  largely 
Congregationalists,  and,  considering  the  Methodists  intruders, 
antagonized  them,  assailed  their  doctrine  and  methods  of  worship, 
and  treated  them  with  ridicule  and  sarcasm.    The  Congregation- 


al 


BERKSHIRE  CHURCH 


alists  had  a  pastor  named  Osborn  in  the  early  days  (1808-12), 
who,  it  is  said,  saddled  his  horse  and  rode  some  miles  to  meet  the 
Methodist  itinerant  that  he  might  accompany  him  into  town  and 
abuse  him  on  the  way.  "He  asked  such  questions  as  this:  'Are 
you  not  ashamed  to  be  going  about  the  countr}^  living  on  the  peo- 
ple, teaching  such  and  such  doctrines  ?'  He  afterward  became  con- 
vinced of  his  being  wrong  in  his  abusive  treatment  and  confessed 
it.  His  example,  however,  had  its  influence  upon  members  of  his 
tlock,  who  rather  enjoyed  persecuting  the  Methodists." 


Berkshire,  N.  Y. 


781 


A  church  was  commenced  in  1823,  but  was  not  finished  until 
1829,  in  which  year  it  was  dedicated  on  July  4.    It  cost  $1,500. 

Rev.  R.  S.  Rose  attended  a  quarterly  meeting  in  this  place  in 
1824  which  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse. 

When  Gaylord  Judd  reorganized  the  class  in  1828  it  included 
Elisha  Scott,  William  Whitney  and  wife,  Eleazer  Valentine  and 
wife,  Joseph  Gleason  and  wife,  Samuel  Smith  and  wife,  Herman 
Smith,  Susan  Gleason,  W.  Belcher,  and  Bernice,  Sallie,  and  Betsy 
Whitney. 

On  April  22,  1829,  the  society  met  for  incorporation.  Rev. 
Gaylord  Judd  presided,  and  Elisha  Scott  acted  as  secretary.  Sam- 
uel Smith,  Joseph  Belcher,  Elisha  Scott,  Ezekiel  Dewey,  and  Owen 
Olney  were  chosen  trustees  of  'The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  Berkshire." 

In  1848  ten  new  horse  sheds  were  built  and  the  old  bell  in  the 
church  exchanged  for  a  new  one  costing  $100  and  the  old  bell. 

After  expending  $1,000  in  repairs  the  church  was  reopened  on 
June  12,  1862.  Rev.  G.  P.  Porter  preached  in  the  morning  and 
Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard  in  the  evening. 

On  May  17,  1889,  in  consideration  of  $350,  Harper  Howland 
and  wife  Rosetta  deeded  to  John  R.  Ford,  E.  H.  Dewey,  Peter 
Rockwell,  Edwin  Young,  E.  F.  Jewett,  James  Shepard,  Michael 
Dermady,  A.  C.  Buffington,  and  H.  M.  Hubbard,  trustees  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  seventy  rods  of  land.  Upon  this  lot 
the  present  church  was  built.  The  old  church  property  was  sold, 
and  the  church  was  torn  down  and  the  materials  used  in  building 
two  dwelling  houses  on  the  lot.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  July 
4,  1889,  at  II  A.  M.,  at  which  service  addresses  were  made  by  Revs. 
P.  R.  Hawxhurst  and  W.  Treible.  The  church  cost  $5,500,  and 
was  dedicated  on  Friday,  February  21,  1890,  at  i  p.  m.  Rev.  C.  N. 
Sims,  D.D.,  preached  the  sermon,  and  Rev.  W.  Treible  conducted 
the  dedicatory  service.  The  sum  of  $1,500  was  raised  to  fully 
provide  for  the  cost  of  the  building. 

In  185 1  Berkshire  charge  comprised  Berkshire,  East  Berk- 
shire, Richford,  and  Padlock. 

A  parsonage  property  was  bought  by  Rev.  P.  S.  Worden  in  185 1, 
and  in  1870  the  house  gave  place  to  the  present  parsonage,  which 
cost  $1,500. 

East  Berkshire  class  was  formed^  prior  to  1851,  and  worshiped 
in  the  schoolhouse  many  years.  On  February  22,  1888,  the  society 
met  for  incorporation.  Rev.  G.  O.  Beers  presided,  and  G.  L. 
Japhet  acted  as  secretary.  Orin  Hutchinson,  C.  E.  Whitaker,  and 


782 


Wyoming  Conference 


Edgar  Winship  were  elected  trustees,  and  'Trustees  of  the  East 
Berkshire  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  Society"  chosen  as  its 
corporate  name.  At  the  same  meeting  it  was  decided  to  build  a 
church  at  once.   On  April  8,  1888,  in  consideration  of  $50,  James 


BERKSHIRE  PARSONAGE 


A.  Warle  and  wife  Sarah  deeded  the  society  three  eights  of  an 
acre  of  ground.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  July  11,  and  on 
November  14,  1888,  the  church,  which  cost  $1,700,  was  dedicated 
free  from  debt. 

Pastorates 

1828-29,  Gaylord  Judd;  1830-31,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1832,  S.  Com- 
fort; 1833,  M.  Westcott;  1834,  J.  B.  Benham;  1835,  D.  Holmes; 
1836,  Gaylord  Judd;  1837,  Selah  Stocking;  1838,  I.  D.  Warren; 
1839,  A.  Hamilton;  1840,  E.  G.  Bush;  1841-42,  P.  S.  Worden ; 
1843,  Walter  Hare;  1844,  Alpheus  Hamilton;  1845  (Newark  and 
Berkshire),  D.  Simons,  W.  S.  Titus;  1846,  S.  Mineer;  1847, 
(Berkshire  alone  again),  E.  A.  Young;  1848-49,  P.  S.  Worden; 
1850,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1851-52,  Asa  Brooks;  1853,  E.  W.  Breckin- 
ridge; 1854,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1855,  George  Jones;  1856,  T.  D. 
Walker;  1857-58,  C.  W.  Judd;  1859-60,  R.  S.  Rose;  1861-62,  W. 
W.  Welch;  1863,  R.  Van  Valkenburg;  1864-66,  N.  Rounds; 
1867-68,  J.  Madison;  1869-70,  C.  A.  Ward;  1871,  G.  M.  Peck; 
1872,  N.  S.  Reynolds;  1873,  E.  M.  High;  1874-76,  W.  B.  Kinney; 
1877-78,  R.  Varcoe;  1879-81,  R.  Hiorns;  1882-84,  E.  R.  D. 
Briggs;  1885,  S.  F.  Wright;  1886-88,  G.  O.  Beers;  1889-91,  I.  J. 
Smith;  1892-96,  A.  J.  Cook;  1897-98,  R.  M.  Pascoe;  1899-1903, 
H.  N.  Van  Deusen. 


Camptown,  Pa. 


783 


CamptowNj  Pa. 

Camptown  Circuit  comprises  Camptown,  Herrick,  East  Herrick, 
Standing  Stone,  Herrickville,  and  Keen  Summit.  These  formerly 
belonged  to  the  Wyalusing,  Le  Raysville,  and  Rome  Circuits.  The 
charge  was  known  as  Herrick  from  1870  to  1879  and  took  its  pres- 
ent name  in  1880.  "Herrick  charge  was  formed  in  April,  1870,  by 
setting  off  the  following  appointments  from  the  Wyalusing  charge : 
Herrick,  East  Herrick,  Grove  Schoolhouse,  Standing  Stone,  Lime 
Hill,  and  Camptown.  The  undersigned  [Rev.  P.  R.  Tower]  was 
left  in  charge,  having  already  served  Standing  Stone  two  years 
and  the  other  portions  of  the  charge  one.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  East  Herrick  and  Grove  Schoolhouse  appointments  were  set 
off  from  the  Le  Raysville  charge,  and  Standing  Stone  from  Rome, 
in  1869."  Subsequently  Grove  Schoolhouse  appointment  was 
changed  to  Herrickville,  and  Lime  Hill  appointment  abandoned. 

Camptown.  About  1861,  when  the  Wyalusing  Circuit  embraced 
the  entire  section  hereabouts,  the  necessity  of  having  a  parsonage 
prompted  the  purchase  of  the  property  in  Camptown,  which  is 
still  in  use.  The  class  here  was  small  at  the  time,  and  its  services 
were  held  in  the  old  red  schoolhouse.  After  the  erection  of  the 
Baptist  church  the  society  secured  its  use. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  purchased  of  Almon  TuUer  for  $200, 
one  half  of  which  he  donated  to  the  society.  C.  S.  Lafferty,  R.  D. 
Cleveland,  E.  S.  Fuller,  G.  L.  Lewis,  M.  H.  Rockefeller,  A.  C. 
Hammerly,  D.  D.  Chaffee,  R.  J.  Fuller,  and  George  H.  Landon 
constituted  the  first  board  of  trustees.  The  church  and  furnishings 
cost  $2,300,  $369  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication, 
Thursday,  January  19,  1882.  Rev.  A.  Griffin  preached  in  the 
morning,  and  Rev.  S.  F.  Brown  in  the  evening.  Rev.  Y.  C.  .Smith 
conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  Rev.  J.  B.  Sumner  was  present 
and  sang  several  solos.  The  society  gives  the  use  of  the  church 
to  the  Presbyterians  for  a  biweekly  service. 

Several  gracious  revivals  have  strengthened  the  society,  but  the 
work  during  the  winter  of  1901-02  was  the  most  extensive  in  the 
history  of  the  place.  It  was  a  union  effort,  conducted  by  Rev.  J.  B. 
Davis,  in  which  there  were  over  one  hundred  conversions.  The 
Methodist  church  received  its  due  proportion  of  increase.  Samuel 
Billings  was  class  leader  in  1870.  He  was  succeeded  by  C.  S.  Laf- 
ferty. Orlando  English  is  now  serving  in  that  capacity.  The  Sun- 
day school  and  young  people's  society  are  union  organizations. 

The  society  became  incorporate  on  April  8,  1901,  as  "The  First 


784 


Wyoming  Conference 


Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Camptown."  The  present  trustees 
are  C.  S.  Lafferty,  W.  S.  Lafferty,  J.  W.  Hurst,  O.  English,  M.  H. 
Rockefeller,  J.  H.  Stevens,  R.  J.  Fleming,  C.  S.  Cronk,  and  W.  T. 
Morrow. 

From  this  society  two  young  men  have  entered  the  ministry — 

C.  L.  Lewis  and  G.  V.  McAllister. 

East  Herrick.  A  class  existed  here  as  early  as  1841,  called  the 
State  Road  class,  which  belonged  to  the  Orwell  Circuit,  and  con- 
sisted of  thirteen  members,  with  John  Barnes  as  leader.  Two 
years  later  the  class  had  twenty  members  and  thirteen  probationers, 
with  Ezekiel  B.  Mintz  leader.  Ezra  M,  Payne  was  appointed 
leader  in  1848.  In  1852  the  class  became  a  part  of  Le  Raysville 
Circuit,  and  William  Bowker  was  leader.  There  had  been  some 
agitation,  covering  a  number  of  years,  relative  to  building  a 
church,  which  aroused  not  a  little  opposition,  as  some  objected 
to  the  domination  of  our  form  of  episcopal  government.  On 
November  11,  1852,  Zophar  Piatt  deeded  a  piece  of  ground  from 
his  farm  to  the  ''trustees  in  trust  for  the  use  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  East  Herrick."  The  trustees  named  in  the 
deed  were  J.  C.  Barnes,  William  Bowker,  and  Orillany  Stevens. 
Should  the  property  cease  to  be  used  for  religious  purposes  by  the 
Methodist  church  the  land  reverts  to  the  grantor.  A  comfortable 
church  was  soon  erected,  which  was  thoroughly  repaired  in  1878, 
and  reopened  on  Tuesday,  October  15,  of  that  year.  Rev.  S.  F. 
Brown  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  D.  C.  Barnes  in  the 
evening. 

J.  C.  Barnes  and  William  Bowker  and  their  families  have  been 
very  important  factors  in  the  history  of  the  class.  Among  others 
which  might  be  mentioned  are  the  Warners,  Platts,  and  Pratts. 

D.  C.  Barnes,  N.  W.  Barnes,  and  G.  O.  Beers  have  gone  from 
this  church  into  the  ministry.  Julius  A.  Bowker  was  an  official 
here  many  years,  having  served  as  trustee,  steward,  class  leader, 
and  Sunday  school  superintendent. 

Herrick.  The  introduction  of  Methodism  to  this  place  was 
largely  through  the  ef¥orts  of  Hon.  George  Landon.  He  was  a 
member  of  New  England  Conference,  and  while  serving  the  church 
in  Springfield,  Mass.,  did  considerable  work  in  the  lecture  field. 
Overwork  superinduced  throat  trouble,  which  led  him  to  abandon 
the  work  of  the  ministry.  In  1849  he  came  to  this  place  and  bought 
a  farm,  which  he  has  very  materially  improved.  He  secured  Meth- 
odist preachers  who  conducted  services  in  this  place,  preaching  in 
barns,  private  houses,  and  schoolhouses.   At  one  time  he  was  a 


Standing  Stone,  Pa. 


785 


member  of  this  Conference  and  presiding  elder  of  the  Wyalusing 
District.  The  majority  of  his  neighbors  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and,  not  many  years  after  he  settled  there, 
proposed  to  build  a  church  near  his  home.  The  church  was  built, 
and  dedicated  by  the  Presbyterians,  but  with  the  understanding 
that  the  Methodists  were  to  have  the  use  of  it.  With  the  exception 
of  a  few  years,  when  the  Methodists  were  excluded,  the  services 
have  alternated  between  the  two  denominations,  and  perfect  har- 
mony prevails.  David  Armstrong  has  been  identified  with  the 
class  from  its  earliest  history,  and  has  served  it  as  leader  and 
steward.   He  is  now  over  ninety-one  years  of  age. 

Standing  Stone.  The  church,  which  is  the  oldest  on  the  charge 
except  the  one  at  ifiast  Herrick,  is  located  midway  between  Rum- 
merfield  and  Standing  Stone.  The  society  is  incorporated  as  "The 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Standing  Stone."  The  char- 
ter was  granted  on  August  i,  1859,  George  Van  Nest,  Alanson 
Taylor,  William  A.  Benedict,  I.  W.  Van  Nest,  Addison  Taylor, 
William  McCabe,  and  John  G.  Towner  were  the  trustees  named. 
The  petitioners  for  a  charter  were  George  Van  Nest,  David  King, 
Henry  Fisher,  C.  S.  Lafferty,  Levi  Whipple,  Bartley  Dunn,  Isaac 
H.  Van  Nest,  I.  M.  Van  Nest,  Ira  Thetga,  George  E.  Van  Nest, 
Myron  Van  Nest,  J.  J.  Van  Nest,  Isaac  Huff,  Isaac  W.  Van  Nest, 
Moses  Canfield,  John  Bishop,  Thomas  Vought,  Alanson  Taylor, 
Albert  Lentz,  A.  W.  Taylor,  and  C.  F.  Roberts.  The  church  was 
dedicated  on  Saturday,  August  23,  1856,  Rev.  George  Landon 
preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Staples  in  the  evening. 
Mr.  Landon  was  an  ardent  abolitionist,  and  so  freely  voiced  his 
sentiments  in  his  sermon  as  to  thoroughly  stir  the  community. 

The  class  belonged  to  the  Rome  Circuit  until  the  formation  of 
Herrick  charge  in  1870,  when  it  became  a  part  of  that  charge. 
Alanson  Taylor  was  class  leader  about  1870.  After  a  few  years 
he  was  succeeded  by  David  S.  Van  Nest,  who  still  holds  that  po- 
sition. The  church  has  struggled  against  antagonistic  elements, 
and  at  times  seemed  discouraged.  In  February,  1903,  a  revival 
trebled  the  membership,  and  gave  courage  to  all. 

Lime  Hill  was  an  appointment  of  the  circuit  at  the  formation 
of  the  charge.  At  that  time  it  was  a  thrifty  class,  led  by  Charles 
Sumner.  Mr.  Sumner  was  from  Methodist  stock,  and  his  family 
early  united  with  the  Church  of  their  fathers.  Camp  meetings 
were  held  several  seasons  in  a  grove  upon  his  farm.  In  1882  a 
church  was  built.  Some  of  the  class  favored  the  enterprise,  while 
others  opposed  it.  "It  was  dedicated  as  a  union  church,  which 
50 


786 


Wyoming  Conference 


was  very  unfortunate  for  the  peace  and  unity  of  all  concerned." 
Such  serious  dissension  arose  that  the  pastor  dropped  the 
appointment  in  1883,  and  transferred  the  members  to  the  Camp- 
town  class. 

Herrickville.  During  the  pastorate  of  1887-90  biweekly  Sunday 
evening  services  were  conducted  in  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
church.  A  small  class  was  organized,  composed  largely  of  the 
members  of  the  Grove  Schoolhouse  appointment,  which  had  been 
discontinued.  The  use  of  the  church  was  not  pleasantly  accorded, 
and  the  society  was  urged  to  build  a  chapel  of  its  own.  After 
some  years  the  work  started.  Judson  J.  Barnes  deeded  the  society 
a  lot  in  1892.  ''A  charter  was  obtained  according  to  the  plan  of 
the  Church  Extension  Society,  which  had  granted  a  donation  of 
$250."  Judson  J.  Barnes,  A.  H.  Struppler,  and  E.  N.  Brown  were 
the  first  trustees,  who,  with  John  C.  Beardsley  constituted  the 
building  committee.  The  church  cost  $1,900,  $400  of  which  was 
raised  on  the  day  of  dedication,  January  26,  1893.  Rev.  W. 
Treible  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  and  conducted  the  dedi- 
catory service.  It  has  always  been  an  evening  appointment ;  con- 
sequently the  society  has  usually  joined  the  Wesleyans  in  a  union 
Sunday  school. 

Keen  Summit  was  a  part  of  Rome  Circuit  until  it  came  to  this 
circuit  in  1902.  The  church  is  situated  about  three  and  a  half 
miles  north  of  the  Standing  Stone  church  upon  high  ground,  and 
its  spire  can  be  seen  many  miles.  It  was  built  in  1874.  ]\Ir.  John 
A.  Keen  offered  the  society  a  lot  and  $1,000  toward  the  erection 
of  a  church.  Mr.  Keen,  though  not  a  member  of  the  church,  took 
an  active  part  in  directing  the  building  of  the  church.  It  cost 
about  $2,000,  and  was  dedicated  on  November  15,  1884,  by  Rev. 
H.  M.  Crydenwise.  In  1891  Keen  Summit  was  constituted  a 
charge,  with  Rev.  S.  F.  Wright  as  pastor.  During  the  next  year 
or  two  there  were  no  services  held  there,  but  finally  the  society 
was  attached  to  Rome  Circuit.  The  class  has  fifteen  members  and 
four  probationers. 

Pastorates 

1870,  P.  R.  Tower;  1871,  King  Elwell;  1872-73,  T.  F.  John- 
son; 1874-76,  G.  L.  Wilhams;  1877-79,  W.  Keatley ;  1880-82,  J.  R. 
Angell;  1883,  E.  N.  Sabin ;  1884-86,  W.  R.  Netherton;  1887-90, 
J.  C.  Johnson;  1891-95,  J.  B.  Davis;  1896-98,  I.  B.  Wilson;  1899, 
James  Schofield;  1900-01,  Isaac  Jenkins;  1902-03,  Carl  Council- 
man. 


Candor,  N.  Y. 


787 


Candor,  N.  Y. 

Revs.  John  Griffing  and  George  Densmore  and  other  ministers 
held  services  in  this  section  some  years  before  the  meeting  was 
held  at  the  house  of  Jared  Smith  in  1827,  at  which  time  the  class 
was  formally  organized.  The  following  were  constituent  members  : 
Judge  Samuel  Barager,  James  Smith,  Thomas  Hewitt,  George 
Hubbard,  A.  Hubbard,  Jared  Smith,  and  their  wives,  Mrs.  Hannah 
Gilbert,  and  Mrs.  Asaph  Colburn.  Thomas  Hewitt  was  the  leader. 
Hiram  Grant  and  wife  either  joined  at  that  time  or  soon  after. 


CANDOR  CHURCH 


The  following  quotation  is  somewhat  explanatory  of  the  above: 
"In  the  fall  of  1826,  when  Hiram  G.  Warner  and  William  D. 
Overfield  were  on  the  Spencer  Circuit,  a  series  of  meetings  was 
held  at  the  Red  Schoolhouse,  about  two  miles  below  Candor  vil- 
lage. Rev.  Thomas  Hewitt,  a  well-known  local  preacher,  did  much 
in  promoting  the  work.  Overfield  preached  and  Hewitt  exhorted ; 
a  blessed  revival  resulted.  A  class  was  formed,  of  which  Moses 
Darling  was  made  the  leader.  From  this  point  the  work  of  revival 
extended  northward  to  Candor  village,  and  it  was  deemed  ad- 
visable to  form  a  new  class  in  or  near  the  village.  This  was  done 
by  Brother  Hewitt,  at  the  house  of  Brother  Jared  Smith,  where 


788 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  Methodist  preachers  have  found  a  'prophet's  chamber'  and  a 
hearty  welcome  ever  since." 

The  first  services  were  held  in  a  schoolhouse  which  stood  where 
the  residence  of  Chester  Johnson  afterward  stood.  The  society 
was  incorporated  in  1831,  in  the  schoolhouse  named  above.  The 
first  church  was  built  on  the  site  of  the  present  one,  on  land  which 
was  given  to  the  society  by  Daniel  Hart,  the  land  reverting  should 
it  at  any  time  cease  to  be  used  for  church  purposes.  There  is  a 
tradition  that  the  church  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  ]^lcKendree, 
and  therefore  is  called  the  McKendree  ]^Iethodist  Episcopal 
Church.  The  church  cost  $2,000  and  was  built  about  1832.  ^leth- 
odism  thrived  amid  opposition,  and  in  1834  Candor  appeared 
among  the  appointments,  having  been  a  part  of  Spencer  Circuit 
prior  to  this  time. 

In  1840  Rev.  William  Wyatt  was  sent  to  Candor.  Here  is  his 
description  of  the  charge :  ''There  was  plenty  of  sea  room,  all 
that  could  be  desired  for  healthy  exercise  in  the  pastoral  work. 
The  eastern  hills,  along  whose  skirts  we  found  work  to  do,  are 
now  in  Berkshire  and  Newark  appointments.  The  south,  along 
the  eastern  branch  of  the  Owego  Creek,  is  now  embraced  in 
Fleming\'ille.  The  southwest,  along  the  valley  of  the  Irish  set- 
tlement, where  we  preached  once  in  two  weeks,  and  sometimes 
much  oftener,  now  belongs  to  Tioga  Center  and  West  Barton. 
The  extreme  western  boundary  of  the  town,  visited  by  us  fort- 
nightly, now  belongs  to  Spencer.  The  northern  line  of  appoint- 
ments is  now  in  South  and  West  Danby.  Fairfield  and  Shindagon 
have  been  merged  into  Caroline  and  Slaterville  stations.  I 
preached  twice  every  Sabbath  at  Candor  Corners,  and  then  spread 
myself  out  thin  enough  to  cover  all  this  territory  that  now  goes 
to  make  up,  in  whole  or  in  part,  ten  distinct  charges." 

At  a  place  over  the  mountain  called  Honeypot,  or  Fairfield, 
Rev.  Mr.  Wyatt's  labors  were  blessed  by  an  extensive  revival, 
about  one  hundred  being  converted.  He  also  held  a  series  of 
meetings  in  the  Red  Schoolhouse  about  two  miles  below  Candor 
village,  which  was  very  successful.  William  J.  and  Charles  Judd 
were  among  the  converts.  About  two  hundred  found  Christ  dur- 
ing the  meetings.  He  also  preached  at  the  White  Schoolhouse 
regularly,  and  at  Wilseyville. 

In  January  and  February,  1845,  hundred  and  thirteen  were 
received  on  probation,  and  in  1848  from  sixty  to  seventy  were 
received.  Extraordinary  seasons  of  refreshing  were  enjoyed  in 
1851-52,  1865,  1871-72,  1893-94,  and  1898. 

In  1852  the  church  was  extensively  repaired,  toward  which  Mr. 


Candor,  N.  Y. 


789 


Jerome  Thompson  gave  $500.  The  present  church  cost  $10,000, 
and  was  dedicated  on  February  27,  1867.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives 
preached  morning  and  evening.  During  the  day  $3,600  was 
raised  to  fully  provide  for  the  cost  of  the  building.  In  1880  $750 
was  spent  in  repairs  and  decorating  the  interior  of  the  church. 
In  1883  a  debt  of  $1,500,  which  had  stood  some  time,  was  can- 
celed. The  bell,  costing  $190,  was  purchased  in  1892.  In  1902 
$800  was  expended  in  building  a  place  for  an  organ  and  making 
other  needed  repairs.  During  the  year  a  two-manual  pipe  organ, 
costing  $2,000,  the  gift  of  E.  A.  Wands,  H.  D.  Heath,  and  J.  P. 
Fiebig,  was  put  in  the  church.  In  1903  Mr.  Fiebig  installed  pipes 
and  fixtures  for  gas  at  a  cost  of  $450. 

For  many  years  the  parsonage  was  two  doors  south  of  the 
church.  It  was  sold,  and  a  house  and  lot  adjoining  the  church 
property  on  the  north  was  bought. 

Candor  now  has  no  out-appointment.  The  following  had 
been  preaching  places  until  they  were  dropped  or  set  off  to  other 
charges:  Gridleyville,  Irish  Settlement  (Straits  Corners),  Perry- 
ville  (Prospect  Valley),  Wilseyville,  Hoyt  Settlement  (Pleasant 
Valley),  South  Candor,  Hubbardtown,  and  Catatonk,  the  last- 
named  having  been  dropped  quite  recently. 

A  Sunday  noon  class  has  been  in  existence  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  charge.  James  Smith  led  this  class  a  long  time  prior 
to  1861,  since  which  time  Stephen  Herrick  has  been  the  leader. 
A  Tuesday  night  class  was  sustained  many  years,  of  which 
Hiram  Ward  was  the  leader  about  twenty-five  years. 

Harry  Ward  served  as  choir  leader  twenty-five  years  without 
remuneration,  and  Charles  Fiebig  led  the  choir  thirteen  years 
just  prior  to  1902. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  Sunday  school  Hiram  Ward  was 
longest  in  service  as  superintendent.  Later  WiUiam  Hubbard 
served  twenty-one  years,  since  which  time  several  efficient  parties 
have  served  shorter  terms. 

Candor  has  been  called  "Saints'  Rest"  because  a  number  of  our 
superannuated  preachers  settled  there  for  the  sunset  of  their  lives. 
Gaylord  Judd,  Asa  Brooks,  Jasper  Hewitt,  Rodney  S.  Rose,  and 
David  Personeus  went  to  their  reward  from  this  place,  and  their 
bodies  lie  in  the  village  cemetery.  Rev.  S.  E.  Walworth  is  living 
there  now,  also  Rev.  A.  G.  Bloomfield,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Manns,  of  the 
Central  New  York  Conference. 

Long  before  the  organization  of  the  Epworth  League  Rev.  L. 
Peck  had  a  flourishing  young  people's  society  here. 

The  Candor  auxiliary  of  the  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary 


790 


Wyoming  Conference 


Society  was  the  first  one  formed  on  the  district,  and  was  organized 
by  Rev.  C.  W.  Judd  in  1869,  his  wife  being  the  first  president. 
It  has  contributed  $931  to  the  work,  besides  boxes  sent  to  India, 
China,  and  Japan. 

Pastorates 

1834-35,  Gaylord  Judd;  1836,  L.  Mumford;  1837-38,  J.  B.  Ben- 
ham;  1839,  Isaac  Parks;  1840-41,  W.  Wyatt;  1842,  Abel  Barker; 
1843-44,  Darius  Simons;  1845,  L.  G.  Weaver;  1846,  H.  F.  Rowe; 
1847-48,  V.  M.  Coryell;  1849-50,  William  Round;  1851-52,  E. 
Owen;  1853-54,  A.  Brooks;  1855-56,  D.  C.  Olmstead ;  1857-58, 
J.  K.  Peck;  1859,  F.  S.  Chubbuck,  W.  B.  Kinney;  1860-61,  C.  V. 
Arnold;  1862,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1863-64,  J.  Miller;  1865,  W.  P. 
Abbott;  1866-68,  L.  C.  Floyd;  1869-70,  J.  L.  Wells;  1871-72, 
G.  H.  Blakeslee;  1873-74,  N.  S.  Reynolds;  1875-76,  L.  Peck; 
1877-79,  J-  C.  Brainard;  1880-81,  O.  M.  Martin;  1882-84,  M.  E. 
Bramhall;  1885,  J.  D.  Belknap;  1886-88,  H.  Williston ;  1889-92, 
W.  W.  Smith;  1893-95,  G.  O.  Beers;  1896-99,  T.  R.  Warnock; 
1900-03,  C.  P.  Tiffany. 

Danby,  N.  Y. 

Nathaniel  Wyatt  was  the  pioneer  of  Methodism  in  this  section 
of  country.  We  quote  from  his  son,  Rev.  William  Wyatt :  "When 
my  father  returned  to  the  States  [from  Canada],  and  settled  in 
Danby,  as  in  Fostertown  on  the  Hudson,  and  in  Canada,  so  here 
he  found  no  Methodism,  no  society,  no  church,  no  religious  meet- 
ings. His  first  work  was  to  see  what  could  be  done  for  the  Lord 
and  Methodism.  He  mounted  a  horse  and  rode  forty  miles  down 
the  Cayuga  Lake,  in  the  bounds  of  the  New  York  Conference, 
which  then  embraced  the  whole  of  New  York  State,  Pennsylvania, 
New  England,  and  Canada,  and  found  Peter  Y^n  Est,  presiding 
elder  of  Cayuga  District.  He  sent  him  Asa  Cummings  and 
Thomas  Wright,  who  were  on  the  Scipio  Circuit,  and  he,  Asa 
Cummings,  organized  the  class  in  my  father's  house,  consisting 
of  six  members — Nathaniel  Wyatt,  leader;  Amy  Wyatt,  Rachel 
Barnum,  whose  husband  was  killed  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution; 
Fanny  and  Clarissa  Everest,  two  maiden  ladies,  sisters,  who  lived 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  my  father's  house  (these  women 
used  to  walk  six  and  a  half  miles  to  Ithaca,  ten  or  fifteen  years 
later,  with  a  pail  of  butter,  and  sell  it  for  six  and  a  quarter  cents 
a  pound)  ;  and  Mrs.  Anna  Mead,  who  lived  three  miles  west,  over 
on  the  Inlet.  These  were  the  six  members  in  the  first  class  formed 
in  Tompkins  County.  [This  must  have  been  in  1809,  as  that  is 
the  year  Mr.  Cummings  was  on  Scipio  Circuit.]    This  was  some 


Danby,  N.  Y. 


791 


time  before  there  was  any  Methodist  organization  in  Ithaca,  and 
for  twenty  years  thereafter  there  was  preaching  in  his  house.  This 
was  the  great  center  of  Methodism  in  all  that  section  of  country. 
Here  they  came  for  their  quarterly  meetings  thirty  and  forty  miles 
around,  which  were  held  in  the  woods,  and,  when  too  cold,  in  my 
father's  old  log  barn,  warmed  with  large  kettles  filled  with  char- 
coal, such  as  were  used  in  boiling  sap." 

Nathaniel  Wyatt  was  converted  in  1784,  under  the  la1)ors  of 
Freeborn  Garrettson.  At  first  the  meetings  in  his  house  were 
thinly  attended,  but  later  his  house  was  packed.  At  the  organiza- 
tion of  Spencer  Circuit  Danby  became  a  part  of  it,  and  remained 
so  until  1 83 1,  when  Danby  became  a  charge.  "The  ark  was  now 
taken  from  Mr.  Wyatt's  house  to  the  schoolhouse  at  Danby  Four 
Corners.  Before  the  end  of  this  Conference  year  a  church  was 
built."  In  1832  a  great  revival  swept  through  the  community,  as 
a  result  of  which  the  pastor  baptized  and  received  into  the  church 
seventy  converts  in  one  day. 

The  building  was  quite  thoroughly  repaired  in  1856,  and  again 
in  1885,  at  which  time  $1,226  was  expended.  The  church  was 
reopened  on  October  27,  1885.  Rev.  R.  W.  Van  Schoick  preached 
from  John  v,  2-4.  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  managed  the  finances 
and  conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  At  this  service  $600  was 
raised  to  fully  provide  for  the  repairs. 

In  1855  the  charge  had  four  preaching  places — Danby,  Jersey 
Hill,  Morris  Chapel,  and  a  schoolhouse  four  miles  below  Morris 
Chapel,  near  Wilseyville.   The  last  is  discontinued. 

J.  Wise  has  served  about  fifty  years  as  steward,  class  leader, 
and  Sunday  school  superintendent. 

A  camp  meeting  was  held  in  Rev.  Moses  King's  woods  about 
seventy  years  ago.  At  that  time  Moses  King,  Simeon  Coon, 
Daniel  Atwell,  Mr.  Fuller,  and  Henry  France  were  local  preachers 
on  the  charge. 

Revs.  William  Wyatt,  Levi  Pitts,  O.  P.  Legg,  Stephen  Elwell, 
F.  A.  King,  C.  Sweet,  and  E.  N.  Sabin  have  gone  from  this 
church  into  the  ministry. 

Mr.  Franklin  Grant  led  the  choir  of  this  church  forty  years,  and 
his  wife  was  organist  thirty-five  years. 

The  society  celebrated  its  semicentennial  in  1882,  at  which  time 
Rev.  Asa  Brooks  preached  an  historical  sermon. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  about  sixty-five  years  ago. 

Morris  Chapel  is  four  miles  east  of  Danby.  We  have  failed  to 
secure  anything  concerning  its  history. 


792 


Wyoming  Coxferexce 


Jersey  Hill  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  two  and  a  half  miles 
west  of  Danby.  The  class  was  formed  in  a  log  schoolhouse  by 
Levi  Pitts  and  Rev.  A.  Johnson  about  sixty-five  years  ago. 
Preaching  services  are  held  biweekly,  and  the  Sunday  school 
operates  during  the  warm  months  only. 

Pastorates 

1831,  IMorgan  Sherman;  1832-33,  H.  Colburn ;  1834,  G.  W. 
Densmore:  1835-36,  J.  B.  Benham ;  1837-38,  Ahira  Johnson; 
1839,  D.  H.  Kingsley,  G.  Judd,  sd. ;  1840,  Robert  Everdell,  G. 
Judd,  sd. ;  1841-42,  James  Atwell ;  1843,  D.  SnifiFen,  Peter 
Compton;  1844,  B.  D.  Sniflfen ;  1845,  S.  ]\Iineer;  1846,  Moses 
Adams;  1847-48,  King  Elwell ;  1849-50,  B.  EUis ;  1851,  O.  M. 
McDowall,  B.  Ellis;  1852.  O.  :M.  :\IcDowall ;  1853,  L.  Pitts,  B. 
ElHs;  1854.  R.  Van  Valkenburg;  1855,  A.  Brooks;  1856,  A. 
Brooks,  B.  Ellis  ;  18^7-58,  D.  C.  Olmstead  ;  18^9-60.  J.  :M.  Snvder ; 
1861-62,  W.  B.  Kinnev;  1863-64.  W.  W.  Welch;  1865-66,  W. 
Keatley;  1867,  King  Elwell;  1868-69.  Holbrook;  1870.  A.  D. 
Alexander;  1871,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1872-73,  R.  Hiorns ;  1874-76, 
S.  B.  Keeney;  1877-78,  E.  Sibley;  1879-81,  G.  L.  Williams;  1882- 
83,  E.  P.  Eldridge ;  1884-85.  F.  A.  Chapman ;  1886,  X.  S.  De  Witt ; 
1887-88,  1.  J.  Smith;  1889-91,  S.  B.  Keeney;  1892-94,  J.  R.  Allen; 
1895-98,  L.  P.  Howard;  1899-1900,  A.  F.  Brown;  1901-03,  S.  D. 
Galpin. 

Flemixgville,  N.  Y. 

The  first  preaching  service  held  on  this  charge  was  at  the  home 
of  Daniel  Ferguson,  situated  near  the  creek  at  North  Owego. 
Subsequently  there  was  an  appointment  at  a  schoolhouse  in  Park's 
Settlement,  and  another  at  a  schoolhouse  located  on  Ezekiel 
Mead's  farm.  Some  time  after  this  the  appointment  was  moved 
to  the  Fleming\'ille  schoolhouse,  which  was  situated  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  road  from  the  present  church,  where  services 
were  held  many  years.  This  territory'  was  a  part  of  Tioga  Circuit, 
and  at  the  organization  of  Speedsville  Circuit  in  1831  became  a 
part  of  it  and  remained  there  until  the  Fleming^^ille  charge  was 
formed  in  1837. 

The  Fleming\'ille  class  was  organized  about  181 1.  with  David 
Fleming  and  Thomas  Stockey  as  leaders,  and  Mrs.  David  Fleming, 
David  Darling  and  wife,  Richard  Searles  and  wife.  Walter  Her- 
rick,  Minerva  Herrick,  Patty  Brink,  Elisha  and  Freelove  Forsythe, 
and  Mrs.  Parks  were  members  of  the  class.  Captain  David 
Fleming  was  leader  more  than  thirty  years. 


Flemingville,  N.  Y. 


793 


During  the  summers  of  1823  and  1824  camp  meetings  were  held 
in  the  woods  belonging  to  David  Fleming  which  resulted  in  many- 
additions  to  the  class.  In  1833  a  camp  meeting  was  held  about 
one  half  mile  north  of  the  church.  Rev.  Marmaduke  Pearce  con- 
ducted the  meeting,  which  was  one  of  great  power.  The  influence 
of  the  meeting  was  felt  in  all  that  section.  As  a  result  two  series  of 
revival  services  were  held  during  the  following  winter,  one  in  the 
Flemingville  schoolhouse,  and  the  other  in  the  schoolhouse  at 
McLain  Settlement.  A  great  many  were  brought  into  the  kingdom 
of  our  Lord. 

One  result  of  this  wonderful  revival  was  a  church  enterprise. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  society  held  on  March  4,  1834,  at  which  Rev. 
A.  Wood  presided  and  Walter  Herrick  acted  as  clerk,  "The  First 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Flemingville"  was 
incorporated,  and  George  Mead,  Peter  Joslin,  Robert  Cole,  Robert 
Fleming,  Johnson  Anderson,  James  Ireland,  Asa  Phelps,  John 
Grimes,  and  Luther  Stone  were  elected  trustees.  During  the  fol- 
lowing winter  Walter  Herrick  was  elected  trustee  in  place  of  Peter 
Joslin,  and  Captain  David  Fleming  in  place  of  Luther  Stone.  The 
church  was  built  in  the  summer  of  1834,  costing  $1,559.75,  and 
was  dedicated  by  Rev.  H.  Agard,  the  presiding  elder.  The  lot 
upon  which  the  church  was  built  was  deeded  to  the  society  on 
March  11,  1836,  by  David  Fleming,  in  consideration  of  $100.  It 
is  understood,  however,  that  Mr.  Fleming  gave  one  half  and  John 
D.  Weed  the  other  half  of  the  purchase  price  of  the  lot.  On 
Thursday,  June  30,  1870,  after  an  expenditure  of  $3,000,  by  which 
the  church  was  moved  nearer  the  road  and  virtually  made  over, 
the  church  was  reopened.  Revs.  H.  R.  Clarke  and  B.  1.  Ives  being 
the  preachers  of  the  day.  In  1895  $200  was  expended  in  improv- 
ing the  church,  and  in  1897  $260. 

On  October  28,  1856,  Larnard  Legg  and  wife  Esther  deeded 
the  society  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  land  upon  which  there  was  a 
store  building.  The  society  paid  $225  for  this  property,  and  with- 
out monetary  expense,  as  the  pastor  and  people  did  the  work,  the 
building  was  converted  into  a  parsonage.  In  1862  the  house  was 
enlarged  and  repaired.  The  barn  was  built  in  1858  or  1859.  I" 
1 89 1  this  property  was  sold  for  $425,  and  on  May  16,  1891,  Mrs. 
Margaret  Barrett  deeded  the  society  its  present  parsonage  lot  as 
a  gift,  upon  which  the  house  was  built,  costing  $1,576. 

When  the  charge  was  formed  it  included  Flemingville,  South 
Fairfield,  Anderson  Hill,  McLain  Settlement,  and  West  Newark. 
The  appointments  now  are  the  first  three  named,  with  Wade 
Hollow  and  the  County  Poorhouse.   The  McLain  Settlement 


794 


Wyoming  Conference 


class  was  formed  in  1834,  with  Robert  Cole  leader.  A  class  was 
formed  at  West  Newark  in  1831,  with  Isaac  Bunnell  leader,  and 
in  February,  1876,  another  class  was  formed  at  the  same  place, 
with  George  H.  Bothwith  leader.  A  class  was  formed  at  Lisle 
Road,  in  April,  1866,  with  John  Brougham  leader. 

This  charge  gave  local  preacher's  license  to  J.  M.  Grimes,  Ed- 
ward Mory,  J.  R.  Allen,  S.  B.  Mead,  and  L.  P.  Howard,  and 
recommended  J.  M.  Grimes,  Andrew  Burhyte,  L.  P.  Howard, 
Levi  Jennison,  E.  A.  Quimby,  and  Carl  Councilman  to  the  Con- 
ference for  admission. 

In  the  sixties  the  charge  received  an  allowance  from  the  Mis- 
sionary Society. 

The  years  1843,  1850-51,  1857,  1869-71,  1872-73,  1874,  and 
1881  were  good  revival  seasons. 

Anderson  Hill  class  was  formed  in  1830,  with  David  Darling 
leader.  The  society  became  incorporated  as  "The  Trustees  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Anderson  Hill,"  on  January 
30,  i860,  and  elected  Levi  Andrews,  Stephen  Anderson,  Theron 
D.  Kyle,  Augustus  J.  Eaton,  and  Charles  C.  Howard  trustees.  On 
March  17,  i860,  in  consideration  of  $10,  Stephen  Anderson  deeded 
the  society  one  third  of  an  acre  of  land.  The  church,  which  cost 
about  $1,200,  was  dedicated  on  August  9,  i860.  Rev.  J.  J.  Pearce 
preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  N.  Rounds,  D.D.,  in  the 
afternoon. 

Fairfield  class  was  organized  in  1830,  with  Augustus  Lake 
leader.  On  May  16,  1900,  the  society  became  incorporate  as  "The 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Lower  Fairfield,"  and  elected 
J.  L.  Downing,  W.  Daggett,  J.  C.  Larcom,  Theodore  Henderson, 
D.  W.  Daly,  and  L.  A.  Law  trustees.  On  June  2,  1900,  Alfred 
Dennis  and  wife  Mary  E.  deeded  the  society  half  an  acre  of  land 
as  a  gift.  The  church,  which  cost  $2,000,  was  dedicated  on  April 
5,  1901. 

Pastorates 

1837-38,  G.  Judd;  1839,  W.  Wyatt;  1840,  E.  P.  Beecher;  1841- 
42,  John  Griffing;  1843,  B.  ElHs ;  1844-45,  Peter  Compton;  1846, 
L.  Pitts;  (1847-48,  with  Speedsville ;)  1847,  J.  Jamison,  O.  L. 
Torry;  1848,  J.  Whitham,  H.  Pilbeam;  1849,  J-  Whitham;  1850- 
51,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1852,  Seth  Curtis;  1853,  John  Mulkey;  1854, 
H.  T.  Avery;  1855,  W.  Smith;  1856-57,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1858-59, 
A.  W.  Loomis;  1860-61,  T.  Burgess;  1862-63,  S.  G.  Stevens; 
1864-65,  R.  S.  Rose;  1866,  R.  Hiorns;  1867,  George  Pritchett; 


Harford,  N.  Y. 


795 


1868,  W.  L.  Fessenden;  1869-71,  S.  B.  Keeney;  1872-73,  J.  K. 
Peck;  1874,  J.  H.  Boyce;  1875-77,  S.  W.  Lindsley;  1878-79,  N.  S. 
De  Witt;  1880,  H.  G.  Blair;  1881-83,  O.  P.  Legg;  1884,  C.  Sweet; 
1885-87,  C.  D.  Shepard;  1888-90,  I.  B.  Wilson;  1891-92,  N.  W. 
Barnes;  1893,  S.  H.  Flory;  1894-95,  E.  A.  Quimby;  1896-98,  C. 
Councilman;  1899-1900,  S.  D.  Galpin ;  1901-02,  A.  F.  Brown; 
1903,  supply. 

Harford,  N.  Y. 

There  are  four  preaching  places  on  this  charge — Harford,  Har- 
ford Alills,  Hunt's  Corners,  and  Michigan  Hill.  We  have  been 
able  to  secure  but  meager  information  concerning  the  various 
points  on  the  charge. 

In  1856  land  was  purchased  of  Messrs.  Burlingame  and  Tyler, 
upon  which  the  church  was  erected.  In  the  summer  of  1882  the 
church  was  raised,  a  basement  constructed,  tower  erected,  audi- 
torium newly  lathed,  plastered,  and  tinted,  building  painted,  new 
windows,  pews,  platform,  pulpit,  and  other  furniture  put  in,  at  a 
total  cost  of  $1,400.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  contributed  $200  in 
cushions,  carpet,  matting,  etc.  The  total  cost  was  provided  for  on 
the  day  of  reopening. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Harford,  and  was  built  in  1874, 
costing  $1,000. 

Harford  Mills.  The  church  here  was  built  in  1893,  at  a  cost  of 
$1,600.  The  building  has  memorial  windows,  among  them  one 
to  Alfred  Davis,  who  led  the  choir  more  than  twenty-five  years. 
The  church  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  January  11,  1894,  Rev. 
G.  M.  Colville  preaching  at  10 130  a.  m.  and  2  p.  m.  Rev.  Wilson 
Treible  conducted  the  dedicatory  service  at  the  close  of  the  after- 
noon sermon. 

Hunt's  Corners  society  worships  in  a  union  church. 

Michigan  Hill  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment. 

Pastorates 

1869,  A.  J.  Lent;  1870,  J.  H.  Taylor;  1871,  J.  M.  Grimes;  1872- 
73,  A.  B.  Eckert;  1874-76,  Z.  Evans;  1877-79,  H.  G.  Blair;  1880, 
C.  H.  Basford;  1881-83,  L.  P.  Howard;  1884-86,  O.  P.  Legg; 
1887,  L.  W.  Peck;  1888,  Z.  Evans;  1889,  J.  W.  Lyon;  1890-92, 
S.  D.  Galpin;  1893-97,  I.  C.  Estes;  1898-99,  S.  H.  Flory;  1900-02, 
S.  B.  Keeney ;  1903,  A.  F.  Brown. 


796 


Wyoming  Conference 


HORNBROOK  AND  GhEXT,  Pa. 

The  class  at  Hornbrook  was  organized  in  1857  by  Rev.  J.  Whit- 
ham,  and  the  church,  costing  $2,^00,  was  built  in  1862,  on  ground 
donated  by  W.  K.  Hill.  It  was  repaired  in  1871,  again  in  1893  at 
a  cost  of  $850,  and  again  in  1900  at  a  cost  of  $8(X).  The  Epworth 
League  furnished  the  organ  and  pulpit  furniture,  and  the  Ladies' 
Aid  Society  bought  the  carpet  and  also  gave  $ICXD  toward  the 
repairs. 

In  1894  the  present  parsonage  was  built,  costing  $1,800.  The 
lot  was  bought  of  J.  Chaffee  for  $75. 

At  the  time  the  class  was  organized  Lewis  Gillette  was  made 
the  leader. 

Ghent.  A  Sunday  school  was  organized  here  in  1850,  with 
D.  Gillette  superintendent,  and  it  is  very  probable  that  preaching 
services  were  established  some  years  before.  The  church  was 
built  in  1871,  costing  $2,100.  It  was  built  on  land  donated  by 
Daniel  Bidlack,  and  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  December  14, 
1871,  by  Rev.  D.  D.  Lindsley.  In  1847  this  place  was  a  part  of 
Orwell  charge. 

Union  Corners  class  was  organized  in  185 1  by  Isaac  Towner, 
and  the  Sunday  school  was  organized  the  same  year,  with  J.  B. 
Smith  superintendent.  The  site  for  the  church  was  purchased  of 
Jeremiah  Kilmer  for  $75,  and  the  church  built  in  1895,  costing 
$2,000.  The  bell  is  the  gift  of  H.  L.  Horton,  of  New  York  city. 
The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  contributed  S300  toward  the  enterprise. 
The  church  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  A.  Griffin. 

North  Ghent  class  was  formed  in  1880  by  Rev.  S.  F.  Wright, 
and  the  Sunday  school  was  organized  at  the  same  time,  with  A. 
Dingman  superintendent.  The  site  was  donated  by  Henry 
Manold,  and  the  church,  which  cost  $2,000,  was  built  in  1880, 
and  dedicated  on  Thanksgiving  Dav  of  that  year  bv  Rev.  Y.  C. 
Smith,  D.D. 

During  the  winter  before  the  church  was  built  an  extensive 
revival  was  held,  led  by  a  praying  band  and  the  Athens  pastor.  In 
1900  another  revival  greatly  strengthened  the  society. 

Pastorates 

1868-69,  ^V.  H.  Gavitt;  1870-71,  J.  B.  Santee ;  1872-73,  G.  L. 
Williams ;  1874-75,  J.  B.  Davis  :  1876-78.  S.  Barner :  1879-81,  S.  F. 
Wright;  1882,  H.  G.  Blair;  1883-85,  L.  Peck;  1886-88,  S.  B. 


Le  Raysville,  Pa. 


797 


Keeney;  1889-92,  P.  M.  Mott;  1893-95,  N.  W.  Barnes;  1896-98, 
G.  O.  Beers;  1899-1903,  L.  P.  Howard. 

Le  Raysville,  Pa. 

This  charge  is  the  remnant  of  the  Pike  Circuit,  which  was 
formed  in  1828  from  the  eastern  portion  of  the  Wyalusing  Circuit. 
The  first  parsonage  in  all  this  country  was  built  in  181 5  or  181 6 
about  a  half  mile  above  Stevensville. 

Le  Raysville  charge  has  three  preaching  places — Le  Raysville, 
Prattville,  and  South  Warren.  The  site  for  the  Le  Raysville 
church  was  donated  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hodge,  a  local  preacher  living 
in  the  place  at  the  time  the  church  was  built.  After  extensive 
repairs  the  church  was  reopened  on  Wednesday,  December  29, 
1871,  by  Rev.  B.  L  Ives. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1888,  costing  $1,700. 

Prattville  church  was  reopened  on  Wednesday,  March  21,  1866, 
after  an  expenditure  of  $1,200  in  repairs.  Rev.  WiUiam  Wyatt 
preached  the  sermon,  and  $500  was  raised  during  the  day  to  fully 
provide  for  repairs. 

South  Warren  church  was  reopened  on  Wednesday,  October  24, 
1877,  after  extensive  repairs.  Rev.  L  T.  Walker  preached  at  11 
A.  M.,  and  Rev.  S.  W.  Weiss  at  7  p.  m. 

Pastorates 

(Pike  Circuit  1828-49,  Le  Raysville  1850  to  date:)  1828-29, 
supply;  1830,  James  Hodge;  1831,  J.  Towner;  1832,  E.  Bibbins; 
1833-34,  S.  H.  Stocking;  1835-36,  G.  Evans;  1837-38,  B.  Ellis; 
1839-40,  D.  Torry;  1841,  W.  Dean;  1842,  King  Elwell;  1843,  M. 
Ruger;  1844,  S.  B.  Yarrington,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1845,  J.  R.  Bos- 
well;  1846,  Peter  Compton,  S.  L.  Brown;  1847,  P-  Compton ; 
1848-49,  G.  H.  Blakeslee;  1850,  P.  Bartlett;  1851,  P.  Bartlett,  R. 
Van  Valkenburg;  1852,  John  Mulkey;  1853,  J.  Towner,  Charles 
White;  1854,  L  D.  Warren;  1855,  L  D.  Warren,  D.  Thomson; 
1856,  F.  S.  Chubbuck,  J.  Whitham;  1857,  T.  J.  W.  Sullivan;  1858, 
A.  Jones;  1859,  A.  R.  Jones;  1860-61,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1862-63, 
E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1864-66,  G.  R.  Hair;  1867-68,  A.  Brigham ; 
1869-71,  S.  E.  Walworth;  1872-74,  S.  Elwell;  1875-76,  P.  Hol- 
brook;  1877-79,  J-  R-  Angell ;  1880-82,  L.  Peck;  1883-85,  H.  B. 
Cook;  1886-87,  S.  F.  Wright;  1888,  D.  D.  King;  1889-91,  R.  M. 
Pascoe;  1892,  B.  B.  Keefer;  1893,  J.  B.  Santee;  1894-95,  T.  R. 
Warnock;  1896-98,  E.  A.  Quimby;  1899-1903,  G.  O.  Beers. 


798 


Wyoming  Conference 


Litchfield,  Pa. 

The  early  days  of  this  charge  are  lost  in  the  obscurity  of  the 
annals  of  Tioga  Circuit.  Subsequently  it  formed  a  part  of  Barton 
Circuit.  It  is  claimed  that  it  was  with  Nichols  and  Hornbrook  in 
later  times.  Litchfield  appeared  among  the  appointments  in  185 1. 
In  1853  the  church  at  Litchfield,  costing  about  $2,000  was  built 
on  land  which  was  given  from  the  McKinney  farm,  and  was 
dedicated  on  November  3,  Rev.  O.  M.  McDowall  preaching  in 
the  afternoon  and  Rev.  J.  Towner  in  the  evening.  On  October  20, 
1886,  after  an  outlay  of  $2,500,  by  which  the  church  was  practi- 
cally made  anew,  it  was  reopened.  Rev.  R.  W.  Van  Schoick  preach- 
ing in  the  morning  and  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  in  the  evening. 

About  1858  the  society  bought  the  Henry  Goble  house  for  a 
parsonage.  In  1894  the  old  property  was  sold  and  the  present 
house  built,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500. 

Athens  was  with  Litchfield  in  1867. 

Windham  Summit  is  three  miles  east  of  Litchfield,  and  the 
class  was  formed  about  1858.  A  union  church  was  built  about 
this  time,  costing  $1,800.  The  church  was  modernized  and  im- 
proved in  1902,  at  a  cost  of  $600,  and  rededicated  on  August  28, 
by  Rev.  H.  H.  Dresser. 

Brink  Hill  Schoolhoitse  is  three  miles  southwest  of  Litchfield 
and  the  society  here  was  organized  about  1858. 

Mount  Pleasant  Schoolhoitse  is  three  miles  north  of  Litchfield, 
and  the  class  was  formed  about  i860. 

Vazuter  Schoolhouse  is  three  miles  southeast  of  Litchfield,  and 
the  class  became  a  part  of  this  charge  in  1890  or  1891. 

Pastorates 

1851,  J.  Towner;  1852,  ;  1853,  S.  Earner;  1854-55,  W.  B. 

Kinney;  1856,  ;  1857,  J-  Whitham;  1858,  I.  P.  Towner;  1859- 

60,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1861,  N.  B.  Marcy;  1862-63,  P.  G.  Bridgeman; 
1864-65,  F.  S.  Chubbuck;  1866,  P.  Krohn;  1867-68,  W.  M.  Hiller; 
1869,  D.  Personeus;  1870-71,  T.  J.  Johnson;  1872,  James  Mullen; 
1873,  C.  F.  Olmstead;  1874-75,  R.  Southworth ;  1876-77,  E.  N. 
Sabin;  1878-80,  L.  P.  Howard;  1881,  H.  G.  Blair;  1882-83,  F.  A. 
Chapman;  1884-86,  C.  H.  Jewell;  1887-89,  S.  D.  Galpin;  1890-91, 
J.  W.  Lyon;  1892,  B.  B.  Carruth ;  1893-94,  C.  Sweet;  1895-96, 
S.  E.  Hunt;  1897-98,  A.  F.  Brown;  1899-1900,  P.  F.  Mead;  1901- 
02,  E.  N.  Kline;  1903,  supply. 


Little  Meadows,  Pa. 


799 


Little  Meadows,  Pa. 

It  is  claimed  that  Methodist  itinerants  visited  this  locality  as 
early  as  1809.  John  Griffing  is  said  to  have  organized  the  class. 
As  he  was  on  Tioga  Circuit  in  1814  and  again  in  1818-19  it  might 
have  been  in  either  of  these  years.  The  first  class  consisted  of 
John  Brown,  Winthrop  Collins,  Charles  Nichols,  Benjamin 
Buffum,  and  their  wives.  John  Clifford  and  wife  joined  soon  after 
organization,  and  he  became  leader  of  the  class,  remaining  in  the 
office  many  years.  The  ordinary  meetings  of  the  society  were 
held  in  private  houses,  but  the  quarterly  meetings  were  sometimes 
held  in  a  carding  mill. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  society,  held  on  March  25,  1844,  at  which 
John  Clifford  presided  and  Jacob  Barton  acted  as  secretary,  the 
society  resolved  to  build  a  church  and  elected  the  following  trus- 
tees :  John  Clifford,  Jacob  Barton,  Asahel  Graves,  Howard 
Kimble,  Abel  Merrill,  Stephen  Burton,  and  Obadiah  B.  Haight. 
The  court  granted  a  charter  on  August  20,  1844,  which  was  re- 
corded on  April  10,  1845.  The  church  was  built  in  1845  a 
probable  cost  of  $1,000.  It  was  repaired  in  1862,  at  which  time 
the  bell  was  purchased,  and  reopened  on  Tuesday,  January  14, 
1862,  Rev.  G.  H.  Blakeslee  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
A.  H.  Schoonmaker  in  the  afternoon.  In  1873  the  building  was 
repaired  at  a  cost  of  $500.  In  1884  the  church  was  rebuilt  and 
modernized  at  an  expense  of  $2,050,  and  was  rededicated  on 
October  31,  1884,  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morn- 
ing and  Rev.  A.  L.  Smalley  in  the  evening. 

In  1888  the  old  parsonage  was  sold  and  a  house  rented  for  a 
while.  In  1891  the  present  parsonage  lot  was  purchased  and  $675 
secured  on  subscription  toward  building  a  house.  The  house  was 
built  in  1892,  costing  $1,400. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  formed  a  part  of  Vestal  Circuit 
prior  to  the  creation  of  Little  Meadows  charge  in  1857.  1869 
the  charge  comprised  Little  Meadows,  Warren,  South  Owego, 
Apalachin,  and  three  other  preaching  places. 

Warren  Center.  Tradition  says  that  Methodism  began  its  work 
here  about  1825.  The  class  was  organized  in  1848,  Rev.  G.  H. 
Blakeslee  being  preacher  in  charge  and  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead 
junior  preacher.  They  were  on  Pike  Circuit  this  year.  Services 
were  held  in  a  schoolhouse  prior  to  the  building  of  the  church  in 
1874.  The  church,  which  cost  $3,500  was  dedicated  on  Wednes- 
day, January  20,  1875.    Rev.  D.  D.  Lindsley  preached  in  the 


8oo 


Wyoming  Conference 


morning  on  "Christ  the  power  and  wisdom  of  God."  After  the 
sermon  he  asked  for  $800,  and  secured  $1,100.  In  the  evening  Rev. 
J.  O.  Woodrufif  preached  on  the  theme  ''The  Monuments  God's 
People  Erect  to  Commemorate  His  Goodness."  After  the  sermon 
$100  was  raised  with  which  to  buy  an  organ. 

Pastorates 

1857,  I-  P-  Towner;  1858-59,  E.  Sibley;  i860,  N.  B.  Marcy; 
1861-62,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1863-64,  I.  D.  Warren;  1865,  A.  Brooks; 
1866-68,  C.  E.  Taylor;  1869-70,  A.  Brooks;  1871,  G.  W.  Rey- 
nolds; 1872-74,  W.  Keatley;  1875,  H.  A.  Blanchard;  1876-77, 
N.  S.  De  Witt;  1878-80,  M.  E.  Bramhall;  1881-83,  W.  R.  Coch- 
rane; 1884-86,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1887-90,  G.  C.  Jacobs;  1891,  H.  N. 
Van  Deusen;  1892-93,  H.  L.  Ellsworth;  1894-97,  J.  S.  Custard; 
1898-1900,  W.  H.  Stang;  1901-03,  L.  E.  Van  Hoesen. 

LocKWOOD,  N.  Y. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  was  on  the  Spencer  Circuit  in  1844. 
Shepherd's  Creek  charge  was  formed  in  1854,  and  in  1865  it  had 
no  churches,  but  had  nine  schoolhouse  appointments.  The  charge 
now  does  not  embrace  all  the  territory  it  did  at  that  time.  In 
1 87 1  its  name  was  changed  to  North  Barton,  and  in  1890  to  Lock- 
wood.  The  class  at  Lockwood  was  in  existence  prior  to  1844. 
The  parsonage  was  built  in  1884,  at  a  cost  of  $1,400. 

On  June  21,  1886,  the  society  met  at  Bingham's  Hall.  Rev.  Z. 
Evans  and  D.  C.  Hagardorn  presided,  when  "The  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Lockwood"  was  incorporated,  and  Judson 
Campbell,  Peter  V.  Bogart,  C.  H.  Coleman,  Thomas  J.  Simcoe, 
and  Ezra  Canfield  were  elected  trustees.  The  church,  which  cost 
$1,500,  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  November  17,  1886.  Rev. 
R.  W.  Van  Schoick  preached  in  the  afternoon  from  i  Chron. 
xxix,  5.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  sermon  Father  Henry  Lyons, 
ninety  years  of  age,  was  received  into  full  membership  in  the 
church.  After  raising  $400  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  conducted 
the  dedicatory  service.  Rev.  C.  D.  Shepard  preached  in  the 
evening. 

North  Barton.  Methodism  began  here  at  an  early  day.  On 
March  20,  1843,  ^  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  George  W. 
Newell,  over  which  B.  D.  Sniffin  and  Noah  Hanford  presided, 
when  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  in  North  Barton" 
was  incorporated,  and  Christopher  E.  Hedges,  Allen  C.  Lott, 


Mehoopany,  Pa. 


8oi 


George  King,  Charles  Bingham,  and  George  W.  Newell  were 
elected  trustees. 

The  church  cost  $1,565,  and  was  dedicated  Thursday,  December 
22,  1870. 

In  April,  1886,  a  ten  weeks'  revival  closed,  which  resulted  in 
one  hundred  and  fifteen  conversions  and  over  seventy  probationers. 

Pastorates 

1854,  O.  M.  McDowall;  1855,  ;  1856,  E.  Sibley;  1857-58, 

R.  S.  Rose,  V.  M.  Coryell;  1859,  C.  V.  Arnold;  i860,  P.  G. 
Bridgeman;  1861-62,  J.  M.  Grimes;  1863-64,  W.  Keatley;  1865- 

66,  W.  M.  Hiller ;  1867,  ;  1868,  George  A.  J.  Lent;  1869,  E. 

Ketcham;  1870,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1871-72,  J.  B.  Davis;  1873-74,  W. 
W.  Andrews ;  1875-77,  J.  R.  Allen ;  1878-79,  E.  N.  Sabin ;  1880-82, 
N.  S.  De  Witt;  1883-84,  C.  D.  Shepard;  1885-87,  Z.  Evans;  1888, 
C.  H.  Jewell;  1889-91,  J.  D.  Bloodgood;  1892-94,  S.  B.  Keeney; 
1895-96,  A.  F.  Brown;  1897-98,  S.  A.  Terry;  1899-1901,  Levi 
Jennison;  1902,  N.  W.  Barnes;  1903,  supply. 

Mehoopany^  Pa. 

Mehoopany  Mission  was  set  oi¥  from  Wyoming  Circuit  in  1840. 
During  the  year  previous,  however,  Rev.  Oliver  Lewis,  a  local 
preacher  from  Northmoreland,  gave  this  section  pastoral  oversight, 
and  traveled  the  circuit  in  connection  with  the  other  preachers. 
Services  were  in  a  schoolhouse  on  Union  Hill,  until  a  union  chapel 
was  built  on  the  schoolhouse  ground,  when  the  society  held  its 
meetings  therein. 

The  ground  for  the  first  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Me- 
hoopany was  purchased  of  Daniel  Emory  for  $225.  The  church, 
which  cost  $1,800,  was  dedicated  on  January  9,  1856,  and  its  cost 
fully  provided  for  on  the  day  of  dedication.  A  bell,  costing 
$371.22,  was  hung  in  the  belfry  in  1866,  and  in  1868  $535.56  was 
spent  in  repairs,  and  an  organ  purchased  costing  $125.  The  re- 
opening occurred  on  Saturday,  November  14,  1868.  Rev.  D.  C. 
Olmstead  preached  in  the  morning.  Rev.  L.  Peck  in  the  afternoon 
and  Rev.  E.  F.  Roberts  in  the  evening.  In  1890  the  building 
needed  repairs  which  would  cost  about  $2,000.  The  church  was 
located  at  the  lower  end  of  the  village,  and  within  a  mile  of  a 
church  on  the  Eatonville  charge.  While  contemplating  repairs 
Judge  Love  offered  to  give  a  lot  in  the  center  of  the  village.  Some 
exception  was  taken  to  the  proposition.  The  district  committee 
on  church  location  was  called,  and  after  careful  examination  of  all 
51 


802 


Wyoming  Conference 


interests  recommended  the  building  of  a  new  church  on  the  pro- 
posed lot  by  Judge  Love.  Accordingly,  the  Quarterly  Conference 
ordered  the  old  property  to  be  sold  and  the  proceeds  to  be  applied 
toward  building  a  new  church.  The  new  church  cost  $5,500.  The 
building  is  60x60.  On  one  side  of  the  auditorium  is  an  infant 
class  room  10x22,  and  on  the  other  side  of  the  auditorium  is  a 
lecture  room  18x28.  Both  the  side  rooms  can  be  opened  into  the 
auditorium,  increasing  its  seating  capacity  from  two  hundred  and 
fifty  to  four  hundred.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  carpeted  the  church 
and  contributed  $125  toward  the  building  fund,  and  has  since 
painted  it  and  kept  it  insured.  Mrs.  Hester  Vose  and  Mrs.  Mary 
Vose  Fassett  presented  the  pulpit  furniture.  The  dedicatory  serv- 
ices were  held  on  January  20,  1891,  Rev.  William  Searls,  D.D., 
preaching  the  sermon  and  Rev.  W.  Treible  conducting  the  dedi- 
catory service.   A  total  of  $1,640  was  raised  during  the  day. 

The  present  parsonage  was  built  in  1897-98  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

Rev.  N.  H.  Davis,  brother  of  Rev.  J.  B.  Davis,  has  been  an 
efficient  local  preacher  here  thirty-one  years,  and  Mr.  J.  T.  Jen- 
nings has  been  recording  steward  a  long  time. 

The  charge  has  been  blessed  with  revivals  almost  yearly. 

The  trustees  in  1853  were  Rev.  John  Jayne,  P.  B.  Jennings, 
Charles  Bunnell,  Peter  Butts,  Butler  Swetland,  G.  S.  Fassett,  and 
William  H.  Barnes. 

Forkston.  The  site  for  the  church  was  given  by  Hiram  Hitch- 
cock, and  the  first  church  dedicated  on  Saturday,  December  23, 
1854,  by  Rev.  George  Landon.  While  a  quarterly  meeting  was 
being  held  on  May  21,  1870,  the  church  was  nearly  demolished  by 
a  gale.  A  new  church  was  at  once  begun  which  was  dedicated  on 
Wednesday,  February  15,  1871,  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preaching  in  the 
morning  and  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead  in  the  evening. 

JenningsviUe.  The  site  for  the  church  was  purchased  of  Philo 
Taylor  for  $100.  The  church  was  built  by  contract  by  William 
Decker  for  $1,300,  the  full  amount  being  provided  for  on  the 
day  of  dedication.  The  pastor  helped  draw  stone  and  lay  the  foun- 
dation, and  also  helped  hang  the  paper  on  the  walls.  The  pulpit 
furniture  is  the  gift  of  Mrs.  G.  W.  and  N.  T.  Childs. 

Pastorates 

1840,  A.  Benjamin  ;  1841,  John  Barnes  ;  1842,  H.  Pilbeam ;  1843, 
Thomas  Davy;  1844-45,  S.  L.  Brown;  1846,  J.  Whitham ;  1847. 
O.  F.  Morse;  1848;  Z.  S.  Kellogg;  1849,  T.  D.  Walker;  1850,  F. 
Spencer;  1851-52,  F.  S.  Chubbuck;  1853,  A.  H.  Schoonmaker; 


Meshoppen,  Pa. 


803 


1854-55,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1856-57,  J.  V.  Newell;  1858,  T.  J.  W.  Sul- 
livan; 1859-60,  I.  P.  Towner;  1861-62,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1863-64, 
F.  Illman;  1865,  F.  S.  Chubbuck ;  1866-67,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1868,  J. 
Weston,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1869-70,  J.  Weston;  1871,  E.  W. 
Breckinridge;  1872-74,  W.  Shelp;  1875-77,  G.  C.  Lyman;  1878-80, 
S.  Elwell;  1881-83,  J.  B.  Davis;  1884-85,  E.  N.  Sabin;  1886-88, 
J.  L.  Race;  1889-91,  A.  J.  Cook;  1892-94,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen; 
1895-96^^,  G.  H.  Northrup;  1896^^-98,  James  Schofield;  1899- 
1901,  J.  W.  Price;  1902-03,  E.  A.  Martin. 

Meshoppen,  Pa. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  was  formerly  a  part  of  the  Spring- 
ville  Circuit. 

The  first  building  erected  for  public  worship  was  built  in  1833 
on  land  donated  by  Hon.  Nicholas  Overfield  (by  some  writers 
called  Judge).  It  was  built  of  brick,  situated  about  one  mile  above 
the  mouth  of  the  Meshoppen  Creek,  and  was  in  the  center  of  a 
large  territory,  the  inhabitants  of  which  contributed  to  its  serv- 
ices. Paul  Overfield,  son  of  Benjamin,  and  Nicholas  Overfield 
contributed  liberally  to  the  building  fund.  The  building  has  been 
demolished  some  time. 

The  first  Methodist  Episcopal  church  built  in  Meshoppen  cost 
$1,200,  and  was  dedicated  on  July  20,  1853,  by  Rev.  D.  A.  Shep- 
ard.  This  was  the  outgrowth  of  a  great  revival  in  the  winter  of 
1852.  The  land  was  donated  by  Mr.  Kizer,  who  ran  a  tannery 
there  at  the  time.  Mr.  Henry  Elsworth,  whose  wife  was  a  sister 
of  Rev.  G.  C.  Lyman's  father,  gave  a  large  amount  of  time  and 
energy  to  the  enterprise.  After  an  expenditure  of  about  $3,000 
in  rebuilding  the  church  it  was  reopened  on  Wednesday,  December 
11,  1872,  Rev.  B.  L  Ives  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  L. 
Peck  in  the  evening.  In  1883  $543  was  spent  in  repairs,  and  in 
1889  $762. 

The  parsonage,  costing  about  $1,500,  was  built  on  the  lot  ad- 
joining the  church  in  1870. 

Russell  Hill.  "The  first  preaching  at  Russell  Hill  was  in  the  old 
schoolhouse  situated  where  Alban  H.  Russell's  barn  now  stands 
[1880]."  Prior  to  the  building  of  the  church  the  services  were 
held  in  private  houses.  The  church  was  40x50,  cost  $1,400,  and 
was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  December  25,  1855,  at  11  a.  m.,  by 
Rev.  George  Landon.  The  present  church  cost  $2,000,  and  was 
dedicated  on  Wednesday,  November  3,  1897.  Rev.  George  Forsyth 


8o4 


Wyoming  Conference 


preached  at  lo  :30  a.  m..  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D.,  at  2  130  p.  M.,  and 
Rev.  W.  Treible  in  the  evening. 

A  class  was  formed  on  **The  Neck"  in  1815  or  1816;  however, 
preaching  services  had  been  held  there  and  at  Carney  Flats  several 
years.  In  181 5  John  Bunnell  settled  on  'The  Neck,"  where  Nelson 
Bunnell  lived  in  1880.  He  was  appointed  class  leader  in  1816. 
David  Jayne  and  wife,  Mrs.  John  Bunnell,  Abraham  Vosburg, 
William  Alden,  Jonathan  Kellogg,  and  their  wives,  and  George 
Evans  (who  afterward  entered  the  ministry)  were  members  of 
the  class.  John  Bunnell  was  converted  at  a  camp  meeting  held  on 
''The  Neck"  in  the  fall  of  1815,  under  the  preaching  of  Rev. 
George  Lane.  Preaching  services  were  maintained  at  this  place 
from  the  organization  of  the  class  until  1901,  when  the  class  was 
consolidated  with  the  Russell  Hill  class. 

Bunnell  Hill  class  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse  many  years. 
The  church,  costing  $1,200,  was  dedicated  on  June  20,  1902,  with 
sermons  by  Revs.  H.  H.  Dresser  and  A.  Griffin.  The  Church  Ex- 
tension Society  made  a  grant  of  $75,  and  a  large  part  of  the  labor 
was  contributed.  Charles  Capwell  and  H.  W.  Bacon  devoted  sev- 
eral weeks'  time  to  the  enterprise.  The  sum  of  $200  was  raised 
on  the  day  of  dedication  to  fully  provide  for  the  building. 

Vose  was  formerly  called  Kaiserville.  The  site  for  the  church 
was  donated  by  Michael  Kaiser,  and  the  church  built  in  1853,  being 
dedicated  by  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard.  In  1893  it  was  repaired  at  a  cost 
of  $419. 

Pastorates 

1869-70,  L.  Peck;  1871-73,  J.  H.  Weston;  1874-76,  J.  S.  Lewis; 
1877-79,  G.  Greenfield;  1880-82,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1883-85, 
J.  R.  Angel;  1886-87,  H.  G.  Harned;  1888-89,  C.  H.  Sackett ; 
1890-91,  J.  B.  Santee;  1892-96,  R.  M.  Pascoe;  1897-98,  H.  L.  Ells- 
worth; 1899-1900,  I.  B.  Wilson;  1901-03,  I.  J.  Smith. 

Newark  Valley,  N.  Y. 

As  early  as  1822  Rev.  George  Densmore,  who  was  on  Chenango 
Circuit,  visited  this  place  and  preached,  and  in  1824  Rev.  L.  Grant, 
who  was  on  the  Caroline  Circuit,  preached  here  occasionally.  In 
1826  Rev.  H.  P.  Barnes,  who  was  on  the  Caroline  Circuit,  held 
services  here  occasionally,  but  as  yet  no  class  had  been  organized. 
In  1830-31  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard,  pastor  at  Berkshire,  preached  here 
regularly,  held  quarterly  meetings  in  the  old  townhouse  in  183 1, 
and  organized  the  first  class  in  1830,  which  was  composed  of  seven 


Newark  Valley,  N.  Y. 


805 


members — Minerva  Collins,  Mary  Ann  Ruey,  Munson  and  Expe- 
rience Clark,  Miel  Dean  and  wife,  and  Selecta  Williams.  To  this 
number  others  were  added  shortly  afterward. 

On  October  6,  1831,  the  society  convened  for  the  purpose  of 
incorporating.  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard  presided,  and  Rev.  Moses 
Adams  acted  as  clerk.  "The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  Town  of  Newark"  was  the  title  chosen,  and 
Elisha  P.  Higbee,  Oliver  Ruey,  Henry  Williams,  Steven  Williams, 
Seley  Benjamin,  Elisha  Stevens,  and  George  Clinton  were  elected 
trustees. 

The  church  was  built  in  1832,  and  after  an  expenditure  of  about 


NEWARK  VALLEY  CHURCH 


$2,000  in  enlarging  the  building  it  was  rededicated  on  Thursday, 
July  21,  1856.  Rev.  J.  T.  Peck,  D.D.,  preached  morning  and  even- 
ing. He  remained  over  Sunday  and  occupied  the  pulpit  at  both 
services.  In  1883  additional  land  was  purchased,  and  prepara- 
tions were  made  for  the  building  of  the  present  church,  which  cost 
$14,000.  It  was  dedicated  on  March  25,  1885,  Rev.  L.  C.  Queal, 
D.D.,  preaching  the  sermon  and  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  conduct- 
ing the  dedicatory  service.  The  bell  was  purchased  in  1890,  and 
in  1900  several  hundred  dollars  were  spent  in  repairs  and  improve- 
ments. 

A  revival  in  1841  resulted  in  one  hundred  conversions  and  in 


8o6 


Wyoming  Conference 


1856  eighty-six  probationers  were  received,  while  in  1875  over 
two  hundred  conversions  were  reported. 

Newark  Valley  entertained  Wyoming  Conference  in  1858. 

In  December,  1892,  R.  W.  Clinton,  who  had  been  a  strong  man 


NEWARK  VALLEY  PARSONAGE 


in  the  church  many  years,  and  who  had  been  Sunday  school  super- 
intendent forty  years,  retired  from  the  position  of  superintendent. 
The  parsonage  was  rebuilt  in  1891  at  a  cost  of  $1,150. 

East  Newark  is  three  miles  east  of  Newark  Valley.  We  are  un- 
able to  state  when  the  class  here  was  formed.  A  Sunday  school 
was  organized  in  1848.  At  a  meeting  of  the  society  at  the  school- 
house  on  January  31,  1859,  which  Hiram  Young  and  Peter  B. 
Zimmer  presided,  the  society  became  incorporated  as  ''The  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  of  East  Newark,"  and  Nicholas  Sebastion, 
Frederic  Saddlemire,  Ira  Lipe,  Ira  Settle,  John  Schoolcraft,  and 
Adam  Schoolcraft  were  elected  trustees.  On  July  7  of  the  same 
year  Peter  Settle  and  wife  Sophia,  in  consideration  of  $1,  deeded 
the  society  nine  sixteenths  of  an  acre  of  ground,  upon  which  a 
church  costing  $1,600  was  built.  It  was  dedicated  on  Thursday, 
February  2,  i860.  Rev.  J.  J.  Pearce  preaching  in  the  morning.  Rev. 
King  Elwell  in  the  afternoon,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Kinney  in  the  evening. 
In  1875  the  building  was  repaired  and  improved  at  a  cost  of  $1,500, 
and  in  1900  it  was  again  extensively  repaired. 

The  society  reincorporated  on  January  30,  1875,  as  'The  East 
Newark  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  and  elected  Ira  Settle,  W. 
H.  Shoultes,  L.  D.  McCullough,  John  Young,  Elias  Zimmer,  Peter 
Settle,  and  Frederic  Saddlemire  trustees. 


Nichols,  N.  Y. 


807 


Pastorates 

"  1832,  Moses  Adams;  1833,  J.  T.  Peck;  1834-35,  H.  Colbiirn; 
1836,  A.  Johnson;  1837-38,  M.  Rtiger;  1839-40,  C.  W.  Giddings; 
1841-42,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1843-44,  B.  Mason;  1845,  D.  Simons,  W.  S. 
Titus;  1846-47,  S.  Mineer;  1848-49,  H.  Colburn ;  1850-51,  P.  S. 
Worden;  1852-53,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1854-55,  J-  W.  Davison;  1856- 
57,  G.  H.  Blakeslee;  1858-59,  O.  M.  McDowall;  1860-61,  N. 
Rounds;  1862-63,  C.  V.  Arnold;  1864-66,  King  Elwell ;  1867-68, 
L.  Cole;  1869-71,  J.  K.  Peck;  1872,  C.  S.  Alexander;  1873,  G.  H. 
Blakeslee;  1874-76,  G.  Comfort;  1877-78,  W.  S.  Wentz;  1879-81, 
W.  J.  Judd;  1882,  H.  M.  Crydenwise;  1883-85,  T.  P.  Halstead; 
1886-89,  W.  Treible;  1890,  C.  H.  Sackett;  1891-92,  F.  A.  Chap- 
man; 1893,  A.  D.  Decker;  1894-98,  J.  B.  Cook;  1899,  G.  A.  Cure; 
1900-01,  J.  C.  Leacock ;  1902-03,  W.  L.  Thorpe. 

Nichols^  N.  Y. 

Nichols  was  formerly  known  as  Rushville,  a  name  given  it  by 
Dr.  G.  H.  Barstow  in  honor  of  Dr.  Rush,  of  Philadelphia.  When 
it  was  learned  that  there  was  another  village  in  the  State  bearing 
the  same  name  its  name  was  changed  to  Nichols,  in  honor  of  Col- 
'  onel  Nichols,  the  patentee  of  Nichols'  Patent. 

William  Colbert,  in  his  journal,  under  date  of  January  25,  1793, 
says :  "It  was  with  difficulty  that  I  got  through  the  Narrows  on 
account  of  the  ice.  I  preached  at  one  Bennetts',  near  Mahonto- 
wango,  with  freedom,  on  i  Cor.  vi,  19,  20.  If  any  good  was  done, 
to  God  be  all  the  glory.  These  people  are  very  willing  to  hear. 
This  locality  is  now  known  as  Nichols,  where  live  the  Shoemakers 
and  Coryells,  and  has  for  many  years  been  famous  for  Metho- 
dism." Mahontowango  is  an  Indian  name  for  a  flat  in  Nichols 
township.  Daniel  Shoemaker  and  Judge  Coryell  settled  here  at  an 
early  day,  and  their  families  became  interested  in  Methodism. 
Rev.  V.  M.  Coryell  was  a  son  of  the  judge. 

It  is  said  that  Valentine  Cook  and  John  Broadhead  preached  in 
this  place  in  1795,  but  there  seems  to  have  been  no  society  formed 
here  until  1819,  when  it  was  formed  by  Rev.  John  Griffing,  and 
consisted  of  four  persons — Elijah  Shoemaker  and  wife,  Daniel 
McDowell  Shoemaker,  and  Ann  Shoemaker.  An  appointment 
was  established  here  which  became  a  part  of  Wyalusing  Circuit, 
where  it  remained  until  it  became  a  charge  in  1835. 

Colonel  Nichols,  desirous  of  recognizing  the  compliment  paid 
him,  presented  the  village  with  $200,  to  be  used  in  the  erection  of 
a  public  building.   It  was  used  in  the  erection  of  the  "Free  Meet- 


8o8 


Wyoming  Conference 


ing  House."  A  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Peter  Joslin  on 
February  20,  1829,  when  a  Free  Church  society  was  incorporated 
and  Judge  Emanuel  Coryell,  Nehemiah  Piatt,  Gamaliel  H.  Bar- 
stow,  Peter  Joslin,  Jonathan  Hunt,  Ezra  Canfield,  John  Cassel, 
Edwin  Ripley,  Wright  Dunham,  John  Petts,  Sylvester  Knapp, 
Cyrus  Field,  Daniel  Ferguson,  Justus  Brown,  and  James  Thurs- 
ton were  elected  trustees.  The  church  was  built  in  1829-30,  cost- 
ing $2,000,  and  Mr.  Hezekiah  Dunham  was  the  contractor.  Air. 
Dunham  used  to  tell  that  while  the  church  was  being  built  the 
workmen  were  refreshed  by  rum  furnished  by  the  trustees. 

When  the  Presbyterians  built  their  church  in  1865  they  left  the 
old  church  to  the  sole  occupancy  of  the  Methodists.  It  is  tech- 
nically a  free  church  still,  "open  to  all  orthodox  denomina- 
tions," but  practically  under  the  control  of  the  Methodists.  In 
1871  it  was  renovated  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.  It  was  repaired  in  1891 
at  an  expense  of  $425,  and  in  1894  a  new  organ  was  purchased. 

The  first  parsonage  property  was  a  gift  from  Miss  Fanny 
Coryell,  but  we  cannot  give  the  date  of  the  legal  transfer.  In  1870 
the  old  parsonage  was  sold  with  a  part  of  the  parsonage  lot,  and 
the  present  parsonage  built. 

Asbury  church  is  three  and  a  half  miles  down  the  river  from 
Nichols.  The  class  was  organized  here  in  1817.  One  writer 
claims  that  the  class  named  as  being  at  Nichols  (see  above)  was 
the  class  at  this  point.  The  church  was  erected  in  1823,  costing 
$2,000.  The  site  for  the  church  was  a  gift  and  deeded  to  the 
society  on  August  2,  1822,  by  Edmund  Palmer  and  wife  Rachel. 
The  trustees  were  Elijah  Shoemaker,  Daniel  McD.  Shoemaker, 
Amos  Verbeck,  Jephtha  Brainard,  Jr.,  Aaron  Chubbuck,  Stephen 
Jewett,  and  Jesse  Ross.  Its  interior  was  in  accord  with  the  times, 
high  pulpit,  gallery,  pews  with  doors,  etc.  This  church  was  the 
first  one  built  and  finished  within  the  bounds  of  Wyoming  Con- 
ference. In  1898  $600  was  spent  in  modernizing  the  interior  and 
making  minor  improvements.  The  church  was  reopened  on  Sep- 
tember 18,  Rev.  M.  D.  Fuller  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
George  Forsyth  in  the  evening. 

The  bodies  of  Rev.  Horace  Agard  and  Judge  Coryell  lie  at  this 
place. 

River  Valley  church  is  about  three  and  a  half  miles  up  the  river 
from  Nichols.  The  class  is  claimed  to  have  been  organized  in 
181 5,  and  held  its  meetings  in  the  log  house  of  Joseph  Utter  and 
subsequently  in  the  schoolhouse.  The  schoolhouse  continued  to 
be  its  sanctuary  until  the  building  of  the  church  in  1873. 


North  Tioga,  N.  Y. 


809 


On  July  15,  1873,  the  society  became  incorporated  as  "The  River 
Valley  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Nichols,  Tioga  County, 
N.  Y.,"  and  elected  James  Lounsberry,  Amos  Lane,  William 
Lounsberry,  John  Smith,  and  John  Smith,  Jr.,  trustees.  Jonathan 
Hunt  donated  a  lot  upon  which  the  church,  costing  $3,600,  was 
built. 

The  church  was  dedicated  on  Tuesday,  December  30,  1873,  Rev. 
William  Bixby  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin, 
in  the  evening.  Rev.  D.  D.  Lindsley  conducted  the  dedicatory  serv- 
ice. A  total  of  $1,100  was  raised  during  the  day  to  fully  provide 
for  the  cost  of  the  church.    The  building  was  repaired  in  1892. 

Pastorates 

1835,  M.  Sherman;  1836,  E.  Smith;  1837,  I.  Parks,  E.  Bibbins; 
1838,  I.  Parks;  1839-40,  M.  Ruger;  1841-42,  E.  G.  Bush;  1843,  E. 
Smith;  1844-45,  H.  F.  Rowe ;  1846-47,  L.  D.  Tryon ;  1848,  J.  W. 
Davison ;  1849,  J-  W.  Davison,  J.  L.  Wells ;  1850,  G.  H.  Blakeslee, 
C.  N.  Flint;  1851,  G.  H.  Blakeslee;  1852-53,  E.  B.  Tenny; 
1854,  N.  S.  De  Witt,  E.  Sibley;  1855,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1856-57, 
O.  M.  McDowall;  1858-59,  W.  B.  Thomas;  i860,  W.  B.  Kinney; 
1861,  L.  Cole;  1862-63,  N.  Rounds;  1864-65,  S.  E.  Walworth; 
1866-68,  A.  Brooks;  1869-71,  E.  P.  Eldridge;  1872-73,  G.  Com- 
fort; 1874-75,  G.  H.  Blakeslee;  1876-77,  S.  C.  Fulton;  1878-79, 
J.  K.  Peck;  1880-81,  J.  C.  Brainard;  1882-84,  S.  F.  Wright;  1885- 
87,  H.  N.  Van  Deusen ;  1888-89,  N.  S.  Reynolds;  1890-93,  T.  R. 
Warnock;  1894-96,  H.  L.  Ellsworth;  1897-98,  I.  J.  Smith;  1899- 
1900,  S.  G.  Snowden;  1901-03,  F.  A.  King. 

North  Tioga,  N.  Y. 

The  history  of  this  charge  is  that  of  Tioga.  In  1853  Tioga 
charge  consisted  of  Tioga  Center,  taken  from  the  Barton  Circuit ; 
the  Irish  Settlement  now  known  as  "The  Chapel,"  or  "Pipe  Creek 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  taken  from  Candor  Circuit ;  Catlin 
Hill,  taken  from  Owego,  and  the  territory  lying  between  these 
points  and  some  adjacent  territory.  At  the  fourth  Quarterly 
Conference,  held  on  March  12,  1864,  Tioga  Center  was  dropped 
from  the  charge,  and  on  December  28,  1867,  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference requested  the  return  of  Tioga  Center  to  the  charge.  The 
minutes  of  1872  show  its  return.  In  1873  Tioga  Center  and  this 
charge  were  separated,  the  latter  taking  the  name  of  Germany,  and 
was  so  known  until  its  name  was  changed  to  North  Tioga  in  1879. 
The  appointments  at  this  time  were  Germany  Hill,  Irish  Settle- 


8io 


Wyoming  Conference 


ment,  Catlin  Hill.  In  1883  the  Catlin  Hill  appointment  disap- 
peared and  Evelin  Hill  was  substituted  for  it. 

Germany  Hill  class  had  its  origin  in  a  great  revival  in  1856-57. 
The  place  was  settled  by  Germans  in  the  forties.  The  church  was 
built  in  1870  at  a  cost  of  $3,000,  and  was  dedicated  on  November 
29,  1870,  Rev.  William  Searls  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
H.  R.  Clarke  in  the  evening. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  this  point,  and  was  built  in  the 
winter  of  1873-74  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

Pipe  Creek  Chapel.  This  section  was  settled  by  Irish  Presby- 
terians about  1820.  About  1825  a  log  schoolhouse  was  built  on 
ground  now  used  for  a  cemetery.  The  class  was  organized  in 
1830,  and  John  Hensen  was  the  first  leader.  In  1839  a  church 
was  built  in  place  of  the  log  schoolhouse,  costing  $400,  which  was 
known  as  ''Emory  Chapel."  The  present  church,  which  cost,  in- 
cluding furnishings  and  sheds,  $3,000,  was  dedicated  on  Septem- 
ber 8,  1880. 

Evelin  Hill  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  which  became  a  part 
of  this  charge  in  1883. 

Pastorates 

(Tioga  1853-71 :)  1853,  George  Jones;  1854-55.  J.  W.  Hewitt; 

1856-57,  A.  W.  Loomis;  1858,  W.  J.  Judd ;  1859,  —  i  i860, 

A.  J.  A'an  Cleft:  1861.  C.  Pearce,  J.  ^.IcLees ;  1862,  J.  Whitham; 
1863-64,  J.  :\r.  Grimes;  1865,  A.  Burhyte ;  1866,  W.  B.  Kinney; 
1867,  M.  Swallow:  1868-69,  J-  D.  Bloodgood ;  1870,  A.  B.  Eckert; 
1871,  A.  Burrows:  (Tioga  and  Germany:)  1872,  S.  B.  Keeney; 
(Germanv  1873-78:)  1873,  S.  B.  Keenev ;  1874,  O.  F.  Olmstead ; 
1875-76,  b.  Larish:  1877,  S.  E.  Walworth:  1878,  J.  R.  Allen; 
(Xorth  Tioga  1879-1903:)  1879.  J.  R.  Allen:  1880-81,  A.  W. 
Loomis:  1882-84,  Z.  Evans:  1885-86.  S.  D.  Galpin ;  1887,  A.  Os- 
born;  1888-89,  A.  G.  Bloomfield ;  1890,  Z.  Evans;  1891,  B.  B. 
Carruth:  1892-93.  A.  G.  Bloomfield:  1894-98,  O.  H.  P.  Arm- 
strong: 1899-1900,  G.  W.  Crosby;  1901,  P.  F.  Mead;  1902-03, 
E.  D.  Cavanaugh. 

Orwell,  Pa. 

This  section  was  settled  by  sturdy  ^lethodists  from  Connecticut. 
Nathaniel  Chubbuck,  being  down  to  the  river  in  1814,  met  Mar- 
maduke  Pearce  and  invited  him  to  come  to  his  log  cabin  for  re- 
ligious services.  He  went  at  the  appointed  time,  and  on  going  left 
another  appointment.    Thus  Methodism  began  in  Orwell.  Rev. 


Orwell,  Pa. 


8ii 


George  Harmon  held  a  quartely  meeting  in  the  place  later  in  the 
year.  Among  the  prominent  members  of  the  class  were  James  and 
Jacob  Chubbuck,  Joseph  Towner,  E.  L.  Paine,  Daniel  Chubbuck, 
Robert  Nelson,  Lucius  Fuller,  Amasa  Dimmick,  and  Eli  Gibbs. 

To  trace  its  pulpit  supply  we  would  begin  with  Tioga  Circuit, 
and  follow  through  Wyalusing  and  Pike  Circuits  until  the  Orwell 
Circuit  was  formed  in  1839. 

The  church  was  built  in  1828,  costing  $1,601,  and  much  of  the 
timber  was  donated.  A  severe  struggle  was  experienced  in  paying 
for  the  property.  A  debt  of  $187.93  remained  some  time.  When 
the  sheriff  was  about  to  foreclose  three  of  the  brethren  paid  the 
debt  after  $7.91  costs  had  been  made.  A  subscription  was  taken 
to  reimburse  them.  The  building  formerly  stood  on  the  back  part 
of  a  "common,"  but  was  moved  to  its  present  site  in  1850  and  re- 
paired at  a  cost  of  $1,050.  It  was  rededicated  on  February  12, 
1851.  On  January  18,  1877,  after  extensive  repairs,  it  was  re- 
opened by  Rev.  I.  T.  Walker. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1884  at  a  cost  of  $1,100. 

In  February,  1837,  a  great  revival  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse, 
it  being  too  cold  to  use  the  church.  In  February,  1848,  there  were 
over  three  hundred  conversions  on  the  circuit,  two  hundred  and 
twenty-one  of  whom  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

North  Orwell  class  was  organized,  and  preaching  services  were 
held,  in  Mr.  Chubbuck's  house.  When  the  Orwell  Valley  school- 
house  was  built  the  class  secured  the  use  of  it  until  the  union 
church  was  built,  since  which  time  the  society  has  worshiped  there. 

South  Hill  society  held  its  services  many  years  in  the  school- 
house.  The  church,  costing  $1,700,  was  dedicated  on  September 
12,  1895.   Much  of  the  timber  was  donated. 

Allis  Hollozv  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment. 

Pastorates 

1839,  E.  Smith,  A.  K.  Fowler;  1840,  E.  Smith,  A.  Benjamin; 
D.  Torry;  1841,  A.  Benjamin,  D.  Torry;  1842,  P.  Blackman,  A. 
Benjamin;  1843,  P-  Blackman;  1844,  M.  Ruger;  1845,  M.  Ruger, 
S.  B.  Yarrington;  1846,  N.  S.  De  Witt,  T.  R.  Tuck;  1847,  L. 
Pitts,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1848,  G.  Evans,  P.  Bartlett;  1849,  P-  Bart- 
lett;  1850,  J.  W.  Davison;  1851,  V.  M.  Coryell;  1852,  R. 
Van  Valkenburg;  1853-54,  W.  Silsbee ;  1855,  C.  Perkins; 
1856-57,  C.  E.  Taylor;  1858,  W.  B.  Kinney;  1859,  E.  F.  Roberts; 
1860-61,  W.  B.  Thomas;  1862-63,  G.  R.  Hair;  1864-65,  S.  G. 


8l2 


Wyoming  Conference 


Stevens;  1866-67,  A.  W.  Loomis;  1868-69,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1870-72, 
S.  Earner ;  1873,  G.  Greenfield ;  1874-75,  R.  S.  Rose ;  1876-78,  J.  B. 
Davis;  1879,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1880,  J.  K.  Peck;  1881-83,  W.  R. 
Netherton;  1884-86,  L.  P.  Howard;  1887-89,  M.  R.  Kerr;  1890, 
S.  F.  Wright;  1891-92,  C.  Sweet;  1893-95,  P.  M.  Mott;  1896-99,  J. 
W.  Johnson;  1900-02,  D.  H.  Gridley;  1903,  N.  W.  Barnes. 

OWEGO,  N.  Y. 

WilHani  Colbert  mentions  the  fact  that  on  January  14,  1793,  he 
''received  a  letter  from  a  man  living  at  Awaga  [Owego] ,  in  which 
he  was  requested  to  come  there  and  preach."  On  Sunday,  Novem- 
ber 24,  of  the  same  year,  he  preached  ''with  a  degree  of  life  and 
power"  at  Andrew  Alden's.  Alden's  home  was  on  the  northwest 
branch  of  the  Susquehanna,  at  Owego.  We  are  told  that  what 
is  now  called  the  township  of  Owego  was  then  known  as  Tioga, 
and  Tioga  called  Owego.  This  and  the  incident  at  Squire  Light's 
(see  Smithboro)  establish  the  fact  that  Methodism  took  root  here 
at  an  early  day. 

Mrs.  Fanny' Thurston,  who  was  a  member  of  the  first  class  in 
Owego,  gave  the  following  to  Rev.  G.  M.  Peck,  and  it  was  used  by 
his  father  in  his  Early  Methodism  (she  came  to  Owego  in  1813)  : 
"The  first  Ad^ethodist  preacher  that  preached  in  Owego  was  a 
Brother  Fiddler,  in  181 3 ;  he  preached  once,  and  an  objection  being 
made  by  an  old  man  who  said,  'We  hain't  got  any  Methodists  about 
here,  and  for  my  part  I  don't  want  any,'  he  did  not  return.  There 
was  no  praying  person  in  Owego  at  that  time.  Soon  a  local 
preacher,  Hiram  G.  Warner,  came  in  and  kept  the  ferry ;  he  soon 
joined  the  Conference  and  traveled  away  from  home.  Brother  E. 
Bibbins  preached  occasionally.  About  181 5  Brother  J.  Griffing 
came.  In  1816  there  was  a  revival  on  the  south  side  of  the  river; 
six  were  converted  and  the  first  class  formed,  consisting  of  seven 
members — David  and  Fanny  Thurston,  Polly  Warner,  Abigail 
Thurston,  Maria  Thurston,  her  daughter  (now  Mrs.  Daniel  Shoe- 
maker), David  and  Patty  Darling.  Brother  J.  Griffing  formed  the 
class  and  established  regular  preaching  at  the  house  of  D.  Thurston, 
who  was  appointed  leader  and  steward.  [In  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Asa 
Brooks,  she  states  that  the  class  was  formed  in  1813  with  the  fol- 
lowing members :  David  Thurston,  Deborah  Thurston,  Deborah 
Williams,  Calvin  Darling,  Daniel  Mersereau  and  wife,  Nathaniel 
Catlin,  Hannah  Broadhead,  and  George  Martin.  Mrs.  Brooks  is 
a  daughter  of  John  Griffing.]  Soon  Brother  Griffing  sent  a  young 
man  by  the  name  of  Scovell.   Then  a  man  by  the  name  of  Cole 


OWEGO,  N.  Y. 


813 


came  a  few  times;  next  a  Brother  Doolittlc  in  the  same  year. 
Brothers  Griffing,  Judd,  Bibbins,  and  Agard  preached  till  the 
church  was  built.  In  those  days  our  class  was  small  and  perse- 
cuted. Our  meetings  were  held  in  a  little  schoolhouse  near  the  spot 
now  (1859)  occupied  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
Owego.  The  appointment  was  for  Brother  Doolittle  to  preach ; 
when  our  people  came  to  meeting  the  house  was  well  lighted  up 
with  candles  in  large  silver-plated  candlesticks,  and  shortly  a 
smart,  dashy  Episcopal  minister,  who  had  lately  come  into  the 


OWEGO  CHURCH 


place,  came  in  preceded  by  a  martial  band,  and  putting  his  hat  on 
the  bass  drum  took  his  place  in  the  desk.  After  a  while  Brother 
Doolittle  arose  and  said  that  it  was  publicly  known  that  this  was 
the  evening  for  a  Methodist  meeting,  and  we  had  feelings  as  well 
as  other  people,  and  he  did  not  understand  the  present  appearances. 
Mr.  Camp  came  forward  in  defense  of  the  Methodists.  The  Epis- 
copal minister  read  his  credentials,  and  proposed  to  preach  first 
and  have  Brother  Doolittle  preach  afterward ;  he  preached  and  dis- 
missed the  congregation,  and  left  with  the  band  and  his  friends, 
after  which  Brother  Doolittle  preached  and  our  people  had  a  good 
meeting  and  got  home  about  twelve  o'clock. 


8i4 


Wyoming  Conference 


"On  another  occasion  the  schoolmaster  and  others  got  up  an 
exhibition  with  the  representation  of  grotesque  characters.  The 
Methodists  were  compelled  to  remain  and  witness  the  performance 
or  quit  the  ground;  they  remained  and  held  meeting  after  the 
clowns  had  left. 

''The  last  interruption  of  our  meeting  was  the  appointment  of  a 
writing  school  upon  the  evening  of  preaching.  Brother  Warner 
was  to  preach;  the  house  was  divided  into  two  apartments  by  a 
swing  partition.  In  the  center  of  the  room  usually  occupied  for 
preaching  sat  the  writing  master  surrounded  by  twelve  or  fourteen 
little  lads.  Brother  Warner  asked  him  to  retire,  for  it  was  public 
meeting  night ;  he  said  he  would  not,  for  it  was  a  public  school. 
He  said  to  Brother  Warner,  'Go  on  with  your  preaching,  and  we 
will  with  our  writing.'  Brother  Warner  would  not,  but  he  and  the 
congregation  went  into  the  little  room.  As  soon  as  he  began  the 
meeting  the  urchins  would  snap  a  rope  that  ran  through  both 
rooms,  making  a  noise  like  the  discharge  of  a  pistol;  then  they 
would  run  and  kick  against  the  partition,  but  Brother  Warner 
kept  on  praying.  Then  a  troop  would  scamper  outdoors  and  set 
up  a  shout,  when  the  master  would  rap  on  the  windows,  and  they 
would  come  thundering  in  again ;  but  some  of  the  mothers  of  the 
boys  were  at  the  meeting  and  carried  home  the  news ;  the  fathers 
were  incensed,  and  some  of  the  boys  were  punished.  In  the  morn- 
ing Brother  Warner  went  to  Judge  Burrows  to  get  a  warrant  for 
the  schoolmaster.  The  judge  went  with  Brother  Warner  to  see 
the  young  man,  who  confessed  that  he  was  urged  on  by  others  and 
promised  to  do  so  no  more,  so  he  was  released.  Since  that  time 
the  Alethodists  have  worshiped  in  peace." 

We  think  1813  is  the  date  of  organization.  Rev.  John  M. 
Grimes  so  claimed.  Prior  to  1816  the  class  was  a  part  of  Tioga 
Circuit.  From  1816  to  1818  Owego  appeared  among  the  appoint- 
ments. From  1 8 19  to  1821  it  was  with  Tioga  Circuit  again,  and 
in  1822  Owego  charge  took  a  permanent  place  among  the  appoint- 
ments. At  its  organization  the  charge  had  several  preaching 
places.   Daniel  Mersereau  was  the  first  convert  in  the  place. 

On  March  i,  1821,  in  consideration  of  $100,  James  Pumpelly 
deeded  the  society  thirteen  square  rods  of  land  on  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Academy  Streets.  The  land  is  now  owned  by  Joel  Ham- 
ilton. Nathaniel  Catlin,  Hiram  G.  Warner,  John  Griffing,  Daniel 
Mersereau,  Elisha  Forsyth,  David  Mersereau,  and  Sela  Payne 
were  the  trustees  at  the  time.  The  church  was  erected  in  1821. 
The  society  had  the  use  of  the  lot  so  long  as  used  for  church  pur- 
poses ;  when  not  so  used  the  lot  reverted  to  the  Pumpelly  estate. 


OWEGO,  N.  Y. 


When  the  society  left  this  place  for  the  present  location  Mr. 
Pumpelly  gave  the  society  $500  for  the  old  church.  Prior  to  going 
into  this  church  the  Methodists  had  worshiped  first  in  the  log 
schoolhouse  near  what  is  now  Courthouse  Square  and  then  in  the 
frame  schoolhouse  on  Main  Street.  During  the  many  years  the 
first  church  was  occupied  it  was  repaired  two  or  three  times  and 
enlarged  once  at  a  cost  of  $3,000,  but  owing  to  the  fact  that  the 
books  and  records  of  the  church  were  burned  up  some  years  ago 
we  are  not  able  to  give  the  dates  of  the  repairs  or  the  enlarge- 
ment. 

In  1840  the  society  bought  a  lot  of  James  Pumpelly  and  built  a 
parsonage.    This  parsonage  was  sold  some  time  the  latter  part  of 


OWEGO  PARSONAGE 


the  year  1870  for  $3,000  and  the  money  put  in  the  new  church 
then  being  built.  The  present  parsonage  was  purchased  of  Cath- 
arine B.  Deming,  April  i,  1893,  for  $3,000. 

In  the  winter  of  1865-66  Owego  was  blessed  with  a  great  re- 
vival in  which  scores  and  hundreds  were  converted,  the  result  of 
which  was  that  the  old  church  became  too  small  for  the  Metho- 
dists, and  they  began  thinking  of  building  larger.  On  November 
12,  1866,  at  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  J.  L.  Matson,  James  Bishop, 
E.  J.  Crans,  C.  M.  Haywood,  T.  F.  Moore,  L.  F.  Durussel,  and  C. 
C.  Thomas  being  present,  J.  L.  Matson  was  elected  president  and 
L.  F.  Durussel  secretary.  On  motion  of  C.  C.  Thomas,  a  committee 
was  appointed  on  new  church  site.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
new  church  enterprise  that  resulted  in  the  present  church  edifice. 


8i6 


Wyoming  Conference 


On  May  i8,  1868,  at  a  meeting  over  which  James  Bishop  and 
Charles  C.  Thomas  presided  the  society  became  incorporated  as 
*'The  Trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Owego,"  and 
John  L.  Matson,  James  Bishop,  William  C.  Talcott,  L.  F.  Durus- 
sel,  Jacob  Hand,  and  Horace  S.  Brooks  were  elected  trustees.  On 
April  16,  1870,  the  church  lot  was  bought  of  Theodore  S.  Arm- 
strong for  $3,750.  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  held  December 
24,  1869,  the  contract  for  building  the  church  was  let  to  Houk  & 
Keeler  for  $35,000.  The  church  was  dedicated  December  20,  1871, 
Dr.  Jesse  T.  Peck  preaching  the  sermon  and  B.  L  Ives  managing 
the  collections,  also  preaching  in  the  evening.  The  cost  of  the 
church  and  lot  was  about  $50,000;  $25,000  of  this  amount  was 
subscribed  on  the  day  of  dedication,  Scott  Harris  and  C.  M.  Hay- 
wood subscribing  $2,000  each,  and  James  Bishop,  M.  L.  Comfort, 
N.  T.  Burton,  J.  S.  Houk,  J.  A.  Post,  and  Stephen  Goodrich  $1,000 
each. 

Now  began  one  of  the  most  heroic  struggles  in  the  annals 
of  church  debt  paying,  in  which  at  least  two  of  the  trustees  mort- 
gaged their  homes  and  at  one  time  several  of  them  were  personally 
bound  for  the  debt,  so  that  if  the  holders  of  the  obligations  had 
insisted  on  having  their  pay  it  would  have  ruined  them  financially. 
In  the  spring  of  1880  the  society  was  in  debt  $20,000.  During  that 
year  the  pastor  secured  the  whole  amount  on  subscription,  and 
$17,000  of  it  was  paid  before  the  spring  of  1881.  The  balance 
was  paid  the  following  year.  In  1885  $1,000  was  spent  in  im- 
provements. The  organ  was  placed  in  the  rear  of  the  pulpit  and 
walls  frescoed.  In  1889  $538  was  spent  in  repairs,  in  1895  $600, 
in  1896  $600  in  refitting  the  Sunday  school  room,  and  in  1901 
$1,700  in  carpets,  frescoing,  and  minor  improvements. 

The  society  has  been  blessed  with  a  number  of  gracious  re- 
vivals. 

Owego  entertained  the  Oneida  Conference  in  1841  and  1848, 
and  the  Wyoming  Conference  in  1861,  1866,  1872,  1885,  and  1900. 

Pastorates 

1816,  William  Brown;  1817,  E.  Doolittle ;  1818,  H.  G.  Warner; 
1819-21,  with  Tioga  Circuit;  1822,  Horace  Agard ;  1823,  John  D. 
Gilbert;  1824,  Chester  V.  Adgate ;  1825-26,  Josiah  Keyes;  1827, 
Joseph  Castle;  1828-29,  D.  A.  Shepard ;  1830,  John  Griffing;  1831, 
Sylvester  Mineer ;  1832,  Morgan  Sherman;  1833,  M.  Pearce; 
1834-35,  L.  :\Iumford;  1836-37,  D.  Holmes,  Jr.;  1838,  L.  Hitch- 
cock and  John  Griffing;  1839,  Robert  Fox  and  John  Griffing; 


Rome,  Pa. 


817 


1840,  Robert  Fox;  1841-42,  A.  J.  Crandall;  1843-44,  F.  H.  Stan- 
ton; 1845,  W.  Reddy;  1846-47,  W.  H.  Pearne;  1848-49,  A.  J. 
Dana;  1850,  T.  H.  Pearne;  1851,  J.  M.  Snyder;  1852-53,  G.  P. 
Porter;  1854-55,  G.  H.  Blakeslee;  1856-57,  B.  W.  Gorham;  1858, 
John  J.  Pearce;  1859,  G.  M.  Peck;  i860,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1861-62, 

G.  P.  Porter;  1863,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1864,  E.  R.  Keyes;  1865-67, 
W.  B.  Westlake;  1868-70,  H.  Wheeler;  1871-72,  W.  Bixby;  1873- 
75,  J.  O.  Woodruff;  1876-78,  A.  D.  Alexander;  1879-81,  E.  W. 
Caswell;  1882-83,  G.  W.  Miller;  1884-86,  George  Forsyth;  1887- 
88,  W.  M.  Hiller;  1889-91,  P.  R.  Hawxhurst;  1892-94,  J.  F. 
Warner;  1895-99,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1900-01,  W.  Edgar;  1902-03, 

H.  B.  Benedict. 

Rome,  Pa. 

This  charge  formed  a  part  of  Orwell  Circuit  prior  to  its  ap- 
pearing among  the  appointments  in  1853.  The  circuit  has  eight 
preaching  places,  and  covers  sixty  square  miles.  This  was  the 
home  of  Rev.  Joseph  Towner,  a  local  preacher  of  great  influence 
whose  songs  and  exhortations  stirred  many  a  camp  meeting.  His 
son,  I.  P.  Towner,  was  a  member  of  this  Conference.  This  is 
the  childhood  home  of  D.  B.  Towner,  the  singer  and  author,  and 
in  the  cemetery  of  this  place  is  the  monument  of  P.  P.  Bliss  and 
wife.  Several  local  preachers,  who  did  good  work  in  their  day, 
were  connected  with  this  charge — Revs.  William  Blake,  John  A. 
Moody,  William  Dutcher,  and  others. 

The  site  for  the  Rome  church  was  donated  by  Godfrey  Vought, 
and  the  church,  which  cost  about  $3,000,  was  dedicated  on  Thurs- 
day, February  21,  1850.  The  dedicatory  sermons  were  preached 
by  Revs.  D.  A.  Shepard,  J.  W.  Davison,  and  G.  H.  Blakeslee. 
Benjamin  Taylor,  Aaron,  Nathaniel,  and  Jacob  Chubbuck,  James 
Cleveland,  and  the  Voughts  were  prominent  in  the  building  enter- 
prise. It  is  said  that  Rev.  Joseph  Towner,  who  was  an  ardent 
temperance  advocate,  would  not  allow  the  workmen  to  drink 
liquors  upon  the  building  while  it  was  in  process  of  erection,  which 
violated  a  custom  of  the  times.  After  an  expenditure  of  $1,400 
the  church  was  reopened  on  Tuesday,  November  28,  1882,  Rev. 
George  Landon  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  Y.  C.  Smith, 
D.D.,  in  the  evening.  In  1888  $600  was  spent  in  repairs.  The 
church  has  memorial  windows  given  by  John  Passmore,  John 
Slayback,  Mrs.  E.  Moody  Lent,  Mrs.  J.  V.  Stout,  Mr.  E.  F. 
Goff,  Rev.  E.  P.  Eldridge,  Stephens  Post,  No.  69,  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  Mrs.  Priscilla  Bennett. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Rome,  and  was  bought  of  Silas  P. 
52 


Wyoming  Conference 


Cook,  in  1885,  costing  about  $800.    The  house  was  repaired  in 
1894  at  a  cost  of  $487,  and  again  in  1899  at  a  cost  of  $300. 
The  charge  has  been  blessed  by  many  revival  seasons. 

Myersbiirg.  At  a  meeting  of  the  society  held  on  March  8,  1858, 
the  society  decided  to  build  a  church,  and  A.  Cooley,  W.  A.  Bene- 
dict, and  Albert  Lent  were  appointed  a  building  committee,  with 
instructions  to  secure  subscriptions  and  proceed  with  the  erection 
of  a  church.  On  March  13,  1858,  over  thirty  men  went  to  the 
woods  to  get  out  the  timber.  The  site  was  donated  by  Hon.  E. 
Myer  Reed,  and  the  contract  was  given  to  W.  Jones  for  $450. 
The  church,  costing  about  $1,000,  was  dedicated  on  February  22, 
i860.  Miss  Emma  Spencer  gave  the  pulpit  furniture,  and  the 
pastor  gave  the  pulpit  Bible  and  Hymnal. 

Towner  Hill  church  was  built  in  1859  at  a  cost  of  nearly  $2,000. 
Elijah  W.  Towner,  W.  McCabe,  and  Michael  Forbes  were  leaders 
in  the  enterprise.  In  1877  the  church  was  moved  across  the  road, 
a  tower  built  and  otherwise  improved,  at  a  cost  of  $700.  The 
church  was  reopened  on  June  20,  1877,  by  Rev.  I.  T.  Walker. 
L.  W.  Towner,  Philander  Towner,  and  Josiah  Kilmer  were 
prominent  leaders  in  this  movement.  The  bell  was  purchased 
in  1898. 

Pond  Hill,  now  Lake  We  Sauking,  is  a  summer  resort.  Emory 
Bull  donated  the  site,  and  the  church,  costing  $2,000,  was  built 
during  1895.  It  was  dedicated  on  January  22,  1896,  by  Rev.  G. 
Forsyth.  The  building  committee  consisted  of  Norman  White, 
S.  B.  Harlow,  and  J.  L.  Conkling.  J.  M.  Webb,  Rev.  H.  C. 
Spencer,  O.  W.  Heaglin,  E.  L.  Bull,  and  A.  K.  Lent  were 
prominent  workers  in  the  enterprise.  The  bell  was  purchased 
in  1897. 

Bumpville.  The  society  at  this  point  worships  in  a  union  church 
in  w^iich  the  Baptists  are  copartners. 

Union  Valley  society  is  the  Vought  Hollow  class  which  was 
organized  in  1896.  A  revival  in  the  Vought  Hollow  schoolhouse 
was  commenced  on  October  10,  1899,  which  resulted  in  the 
accession  of  forty-eight  probationers.  A  meeting  of  the  society 
was  called,  when  it  was  resolved  to  build  a  church,  and  the  name 
of  the  society  changed  to  Union  Valley.  Trustees  were  elected 
and  a  building  committee  appointed  at  the  same  meeting.  The  site 
was  donated  by  Mrs.  Amanda  Russell,  and  on  April  13,  1900,  the 
church,  costing  $1,300,  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  G.  Forsyth,  assisted 


Sayre,  Pa. 


819 


by  Rev.  M.  V.  Williams  and  the  pastor.   Prominent  in  the  enter- 
prise were  L.  E.  Richards,  L.  F.  and  B.  L.  Davis,  L.  F.  Russell, 
F.  B.  Horton,  G.  W.  and  A.  L.  Baker,  and  W.  H.  Pearce. 
Keen  Summit  was  a  part  of  this  charge  many  years. 

Pastorates 

1853,  A.  W.  Loomis;  1854,  J.  V.  Newell;  1855,  J.  V.  Newell, 
S.  Barner;  1856,  J.  C.  Barnes;  1857-58,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1859-60, 
R.  Van  Valkenburg;  1861-62,  I.  D.  Warren;  1863-65,  A.  F. 
Harding;  1866-67,  A.  C.  Sperry;  1868,  S.  Elwell,  P.  R.  Tower; 
1869,  S.  Elwell;  1870-71,  W.  Shelp;  1872-74,  P.  Holbrook;  1875- 
76,  W.  Keatley;  1877-78,  G.  L.  Williams;  1879,  E.  Sibley;  1880- 
82,  S.  B.  Keeney;  1883-85,  N.  S.  De  Witt;  1886-88,  E.  P. 
Eldridge;  1889-90,  J.  B.  Davis;  1891,  W.  F.  Boyce;  1892-93, 
O.  H.  P.  Armstrong;  1894-95,  S.  H.  Flory;  1896-98,  P.  F.  Mead; 
1899-1901,  N.  W.  Barnes;  1902-03,  Isaac  Jenkins. 

Sayre,  Pa. 

Work  was  done  at  Sayre  prior  to  1874,  but  we  have  no  definite 
account  of  it.  (See  Litchfield.)  In  1874  the  Athens  pastor  com- 
menced work  here,  organizing  a  class  of  eighteen  members,  of 


SAYRE  CHURCH 


which  John  Lamont  was  the  first  leader.  The  services  were  held 
in  the  railroad  depot.  The  Sunday  school  was  organized  soon 
after  (1875)  with  C.  H.  Wheelock  as  superintendent.  Sayre 
continued  a  part  of  Athens  charge  until  1883,  when  it  became  a 


820 


Wyoming  Conference 


charge.  After  one  year  the  services  were  removed  from  the  depot 
to  the  schoolhouse,  where  they  continued  some  time.  During 
1877  they  were  held  in  ''Eighmey  Hall."  Subsequently  the  society 
returned  to  the  schoolhouse  and  held  its  services  there  until  going 
into  the  basement  of  the  church  in  1881. 

During  the  session  of  Conference  held  at  Waverly,  N.  Y.,  in 
April,  1 88 1,  Bishop  Andrews  conducted  the  opening  services  of 
the  basement  and  planted  a  memorial  tree  in  front  of  the  church. 
After  worshiping  more  than  two  years  in  the  basement  the  church, 
which  had  cost  $2,800,  was  dedicated  on  October  21,  1883,  Rev. 
C.  N.  Sims,  D.D.,  preaching  morning  and  evening.  On  Sunday, 
March  29,  1891,  after  expending  $8,500  in  enlarging  and  improv- 
ing the  building,  it  was  rededicated  by  Bishop  Bowman.  A  total 
of  $2,700  was  raised  during  the  day,  which  with  what  had  been 
subscribed  before  left  $1,300  unprovided  for.  At  the  Conference 
of  1896  the  presiding  elder  raised  the  cry  of  alarm,  the  debt  on 
the  church  being  reported  that  year  as  $7,386.  During  1896 
$1,500  was  raised  and  applied  on  the  debt.  In  1898  the  debt  was 
reported  as  $7,800.  In  1899  ^  committee  reported  the  debt  as 
being  $8,803.71,  all  of  which  was  provided  for  except  $850.  This 
amount  was  asked  of  the  Conference,  and  the  ministers  sub- 
scribed it. 

In  1890  a  chapel  costing  $1,300  was  dedicated  at  the  Plains  for 
Sunday  school  and  social  work.  During  the  society's  struggle 
with  church  debt  this  chapel  was  sold  and  is  now  being  used  as  a 
hose  house. 

At  this  writing  a  chapel  is  being  built  at  ]\Iilltown,  a  suburb  of 
Sayre,  by  Mrs.  Angel,  assisted  by  some  of  the  Wheelock  heirs, 
which  will  be  a  memorial  to  their  parents,  who  lived  and  died  on 
the  ground  where  the  chapel  is  being  built.  It  will  cost  about 
$2,500,  seating  about  two  hundred  and  twenty-five,  and  will  be 
built  and  furnished  by  the  above  heirs.  It  is  concrete  up  to 
the  windows  and  built  of  brick  above  the  concrete,  with  slate 
roof. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1901,  and  is  valued  at  $3,500.  The 
indebtedness  of  the  society  is  now  $2,000. 

A  revival  in  1891  resulted  in  one  hundred  and  twenty  con- 
versions. 

Pastorates 

1883-85,  W.  Treible;  1886-87,  S.  Reynolds  ;  1888-89,  E.  B. 
Olmstead;  1890-91,  S.  Jay;  1892-93,  O.  L.  Severson ;  1894-96,  T. 
Harroun ;  1897-1900,  L.  B.  Weeks;  1901-03,  H.  M.  Crydenwise. 


Skinner's  Eddy,  Pa. 


821 


Skinner's  Eddy,  Pa. 

When  Skinner's  Eddy  charge  was  formed  in  1837  it  was  mostly 
taken  from  the  Bridgewater  Circuit,  and  some  from  the 
Wyalusing  Circuit.  In  1863  Skinner's  Eddy  Circuit  consisted  of 
Skinner's  Eddy,  South  Auburn,  West  Auburn,  Fowler  Hill, 
Taylor  Schoolhouse,  and  a  couple  of  other  schoolhouse  appoint- 
ments. In  connection  with  the  first  three  named  the  circuit  now 
has  Silvaria,  Beach  Grove,  and  Transue  Valley. 

Meetings  were  held  in  the  vicinity  of  Skinner's  Eddy  as  early 
as  1 8 10.  About  1812  a  class  was  formed  in  the  house  of  Joshua 
Keeney  at  Black  Walnut,  and  preaching  services  held  there  for 
years.  About  1828  a  class  was  formed  at  the  schoolhouse  on 
Lacey  Street,  composed  of  Simon  Z.  Keeney  and  wife,  Charles 
Keeney,  Thomas  Morley,  Clarissa  Sturdevant,  Betsy  Smith,  and 
Mrs.  Joshua  Keeney.  The  place  of  meeting  was  soon  changed  to 
Skinner's  Eddy,  at  the  house  of  John  Sturdevant,  and  subsequently 
to  the  schoolhouse,  where  services  were  held  until  the  church  was 
built  in  1838. 

The  site  for  the  present  church  was  purchased  in  1888,  and  the 
corner  stone  laid  on  September  5,  1888,  at  2  p.  m.,  by  Rev.  S. 
Moore,  assisted  by  the  pastor.  The  church  cost  $4,000  and  was 
dedicated  on  June  13,  1889,  at  1 130  p.  m..  Rev.  J.  E.  Price,  Ph.D., 
preaching  the  sermon  from  Psa.  Ixxxvii,  7,  and  Rev.  W.  Treible 
conducting  the  dedicatory  service.  The  sum  of  $500  was  raised 
on  this  day  to  fully  provide  for  the  cost. 

The  parsonage  cost  $2,000,  and  was  built  in  1895. 

South  Auburn  society  became  incorporated  in  April,  1850, 
Daniel  Cooley,  Edward  Dawson,  Thomas  Marshall,  Robert  Man- 
ning, Gregory  Sterling,  John  Cooley,  and  Minor  Tubbs  being  the 
first  trustees.  A  plain  church  was  built  in  1848,  the  interior  of 
which  was  repaired  in  1883.  In  1892  the  church  was  rebuilt  at  a 
cost  of  $2,500. 

Among  the  many  revivals  which  have  visited  the  society  that 
of  1885,  in  which  there  were  eighty  conversions,  will  be  long 
remembered. 

West  Auburn  church  is  located  in  the  hamlet  which  was  for- 
merly called  New  Laceyville.  The  early  Methodists  of  this  place 
belonged  to  the  Coggswell,  Miles,  James,  Lacey,  and  Eddy 
families.  In  the  early  days  of  the  society  services  were  held  in 
private  houses  and  schoolhouses.  The  church  cost  $2,500,  is 
34x48  feet,  with  a  good  basement  and  eighty-foot  tower.    It  was 


822 


Wyoming  Conference 


dedicated  on  Thursday,  November  19,  1868,  with  sermons  by 
Revs.  D.  C.  Olmstead  and  B.  I.  Ives.  The  trustees  at  the  time 
were  EHsha  Coggswell,  D.  V.  France,  Theodore  C.  James,  ^liles 
C.  Lacey,  and  Asa  Brooks.  The  building  was  repaired  in  1886  at 
considerable  expense. 

Silvaria  society  worships  in  a  union  church. 

Beach  Grove  and  Transne  Valley  are  schoolhouse  appointments. 

Pastorates 

1837,  D.  Torry;  1838-39,  Abel  Barker;  1840,  F.  H.  Stanton; 
1841,  P.  M.  Way;  1842,  H.  Brownscombe ;  1843,  P.  G.  White, 
C.  E.  Taylor:  1844,  J.  W.  Davison,  C.  E.  Taylor;  1845,  J-  W. 
Davison,  J.  B.  Cooper;  1846,  E.  Owen;  1847-48,  E.  B.  Tenny; 

1849,   ;  1850,  T.  Wilcox;  1851,  C.  E.  Taylor,  C.  L.  Rice; 

1852,  C.  E.  Taylor;  1853,  H.  Brownscombe;  1854,  Z.  S.  Kellogg; 
1855-56,  J.  W.  Hunger;  1857-58,  R.  Van  Valkenburg;  1859-60, 
W.  W.  Welch;  1861-62,  D.  Worrall ;  1863-64,  Asa  Brooks;  1865- 
66,  A.  J.  Arnold ;  1867-68,  E.  M.  High ;  1869,  E.  F.  Roberts ;  1870, 
E.  W.  Breckinridge;  1871,  P.  R.  Tower,  T.  B.  Jayne;  1872-73, 
P.  R.  Tower;  1874-76,  G.  Greenfield;  1877-79,  J-  S.  Lewis;  1880- 
82,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1883-85,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1886-88,  W.  W. 
Smith;  1889-92,  G.  O.  Beers;  1893-97,  W.  H.  Stang;  1898-1900, 
J.  S.  Custard ;  1901-02,  G.  H.  H.  Davis ;  1903,  J.  W.  Johnson. 

Slaterville,  N  Y. 

The  class  is  supposed  to  have  been  formed  in  1813  with  eight 
members,  seven  of  whom  were  women,  and  at  one  time  formed  a 
part  of  Virgil  Circuit.  Slaterville  appeared  among  the  appoint- 
ments in  1832.  Rev.  W.  Wyatt  says  that  in  1833  the  charge  was 
a  four-weeks'  circuit  with  ten  or  twelve  preaching  places.  While 
he  was  on  the  charge  in  1836  glorious  revivals  were  held  on  the 
hill  midway  between  Virgil  Corners  and  Marathon  and  at  Virgil 
Corners.  A  meeting  was  also  held  at  Varna,  but  with  less  results. 
These  give  some  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  circuit. 

The  society  at  Slaterville  Springs  used  the  schoolhouse  for 
years.  At  a  meeting  of  the  societv  held  in  the  schoolhouse  on 
November  28,  1831,  over  which  Milo  Heath  and  Romeo  San  ford 
presided,  the  society  became  incorporate  as  "The  Garrettson 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Town  of  Caro^ 
line,"  and  Thomas  McLeas,  Cephas  Barker,  Romeo  Sanford, 
Alexander  Latimer,  and  Stephen  Yates  were  elected  trustees. 


Slaterville,  N.  Y. 


823 


On  April  7,  1832,  the  society  contracted  with  James  Hall,  of 
New  York  city,  for  the  church  site.  It  was  from  the  Levi  Slater 
farm,  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the  Catskill  turnpike,  and  con- 
tained half  an  acre  of  land.  .The  land  was  given  by  Mr.  Hall,  the 
society  agreeing  to  erect  a  church  not  less  than  36x46  feet,  with 
galleries,  two  stories  high,  having  a  belfry,  the  building  to  be  com- 
pleted and  painted  on  or  before  May  i,  1835.  The  deed  for  the  lot 
was  executed  by  Mr.  Hall  on  April  23,  1835.  The  church  was 
built  by  David  Mulks,  and  was  dedicated  in  1834  by  Rev.  Silas 
Comfort,  having  cost  $1,000.  In  1885  Mr.  Moses  Bull  presented 
the  society  with  a  one-thousand-pound  bell,  at  which  time  a  new 
suit  of  pulpit  furniture,  a  Bailey  reflector,  a  communion  set,  and 
some  parsonage  furniture  were  purchased.  After  spending  $4,000 
in  rebuilding  and  refurnishing  the  church  it  was  rededicated  on 
Wednesday,  May  18,  1887.  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin,  D.D.,  preached  in 
the  morning  from  Gal.  ii,  16,  and  Rev.  J.  O.  Woodruff  in  the 
evening  from  John  i,  4.  Rev.  S.  Moore  conducted  the  dedicatory 
services.   A  total  of  $850  was  raised  during  the  day. 

A  parsonage  was  bought  on  contract  of  Judge  Dana  on  April 
10,  1849.  The  society  agreed  to  pay  $100  annually,  and  interest 
at  seven  per  cent.  The  deed  for  the  property  was  executed  on 
April  25,  1855.  The  property  included  two  lots,  one  of  which  was 
subsequently  sold.  In  1892  the  old  house  was  sold  for  $200,  and 
moved  off,  when  it  was  replaced  by  the  present  house,  which  cost 
$1,620. 

Central  Chapel  is  four  miles  south  of  Slaterville,  and  has  formed 
a  part  of  the  charge  since  its  formation.  The  first  trustees  were 
elected  March  6,  1855,  and  were  Abraham  W.  Lane,  Isaac 
Kenney,  Benton  Reed,  Zechariah  Turk,  James  S.  Young,  Simeon 
D.  Quick,  Jacob  W.  Reed,  Jacob  D.  Schoonmaker,  and  John 
Lynch.  The  site  was  given  by  Jacob  Schoonmaker,  and  was 
deeded  to  the  society  on  March  19,  1855.  The  church  was  built 
the  following  summer,  and  cost  $1,500.  On  Thursday,  August  23, 
1888,  after  spending  $500  in  repairs,  the  church  was  reopened  by 
Rev.  S.  Moore. 

Caroline  is  three  miles  east  of  Slaterville.  The  first  regular 
services  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  in  1889.  A  church  was 
begun  in  1893  finished  in  1894,  which  cost  $1,800.  It  was 
built  on  land  given  by  L.  A.  Patch,  a  Universalist,  but  a  friend 
and  supporter  of  the  enterprise.  The  first  trustees  were  A.  T. 
Lott,  Elmer  Allen,  Herman  Royce,  Eli  Earsley,  and  James  Tryon. 


824 


Wyoming  Conference 


Morris  Chapel,  now  with  Danby,  and  Ellis,  now  with  Varna, 
in  the  Central  New  York  Conference,  used  to  be  with  this 
charge. 

Prominent  among  the  Hfelong  supporters  and  pillars  of  the 
charge  are  W.  K.  Boice  and  wife,  J.  J.  Besemer  and  wife,  Mrs. 
W.  C.  Gallagher,  Hubert  Wattles,  John  E.  Bull,  J.  S.  Young,  and 
the  Reed  family  on  Ball  Hill.   Others  might  readily  be  named. 

Pastorates 

1832-33,  S.  !Mineer;  1834,  E.  L.  North;  1835,  G.  W.  Densmore, 
E.  L.  Wadsworth;  1836,  A.  Wood,  W.  Wyatt;  1837,  L.  Salis- 
hur}\  D.  :McD.  O'Farrall;  1838,  T.  D.  Wire;  1839.  Ira  Wilcox, 
H.  Minard :  1840,  H.  !Minard,  J.  Jameson;  1841.  S.  Mineer;  1842, 
S.  Mineer,  H.  D.  Smith;  1843,  Doctor  Lamkin,  S.  H.  Brown; 
1844,  Doctor  Lamkin ;  1845,  J-  Crawford  ;  1846-47,  L.  G.  Weaver; 
1848-49,  E.  A.  Young:  1850-51,  S.  Mineer;  1852.  L.  D.  Paddock; 
1853-54,  J.  W.  Steel;  1855-56,  J.  M.  Searles :  1857-58,  S.  Hinman; 
1859-60,  E.  Hoxie;  1861-62,  J.  Gutsell :  1863-64,  F.  M.  Warner; 
1865,  S.  Comfort;  1866-68,  E.  P.  Eldridge;  1869-70,  W.  Keatlev; 
1871,  J.  W.  Hewitt;  1872-73,  W.  B.  Kinney:  1874-76,  A.  W. 
Loomis;  1877-79.  C.  S.  Alexander:  1880-82.  H.  B.  Cook;  1883- 
85,  A.  W.  Cooper:  1886-88.  G.  A.  Place;  1889-90,  H.  Williston; 
1891-93,  D.  D.  King:  1894.  G.  H.  Northrup:  1895-98.  H.  N.  Van 
Deusen;  1899-1900,  I.  J.  Smith;  1901-03,  L  B.  Wilson. 

South  Danby,  N.  Y. 

This  charge  was  detached  from  North  Danby  charge  in  1844.  ' 
The  class  at  South  Danby  was  organized  as  early  as  1830  by 
Sylvester  Mineer,  "at  the  old  shingle  schoolhouse,"  with  Robins 
D.  Wright  as  leader.    A  letter  from  Rev.  J.  W.  Hewitt  has  the 
following : 

"The  first  revival  I  know  anything  about  commenced  in 
the  early  summer  of  1833,  with  Rev.  Hanford  Colborn  pastor. 
Perhaps  we  ought  to  say  that  two  eccentric  old  gentlemen, 
strangers,  came  around  and  were  the  first  to  hold  meetings.  The 
Lord  owned  their  labors  in  the  conversion  of  some  souls,  Michael 
Handy,  Sr.,  being  the  first  convert.  Soon  Brother  Colborn  took 
the  work  out  of  their  hands  and  carried  it  on  in  one  part,  while 
Father  Hewitt  confined  his  work  more  especially  to  the  Van 
Cleak  schoolhouse.  as  it  was  then  called ;  but  the  work  went  on  in 
an  almost  continual  revival  spirit  for  three  or  four  years.  In 


South  Danby,  N.  Y. 


825 


1836  Rev.  J.  B.  Benham  held  a  very  successful  revival  meeting  in 
Sheldon  Wilcox's  wagon  house." 

Robins  Wright  gave  the  building  site  from  a  corner  of  his 
farm.  The  church  was  completed  so  as  to  be  dedicated  on  May 
31,  1838.  After  remodeling  at  an  expense  of  $1,200  the  church 
was  reopened  on  Thursday,  January  4,  1872,  by  Rev.  D.  D. 
Lindsley. 

The  parsonage  is  at  South  Danby,  and  was  bought  and  fitted 
for  the  pastor's  use  at  a  cost  of  about  $750. 

Prospect  Valley.  The  society  met  in  the  schoolhouse,  the  usual 
place  of  worship,  on  January  18,  1886,  when  it  became  incorporate 
as  "The  Prospect  Valley  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Candor, 
N.  Y.,"  and  elected  W.  Owens,  J.  C.  Fuller,  W.  Tucker,  G.  M. 
Whitely,  George  Nelson,  George  Van  Etten,  and  Smith  Eckler 
trustees.  During  the  summer  an  abandoned  church  at  Braly  Hill 
was  taken  down,  and  rebuilt  at  Prospect  Valley  at  a  cost  of  $1,200. 
About  1898  the  society  experienced  a  season  of  refreshing  which 
resulted  in  twenty-five  conversions. 

Willseyville  class  worships  in  the  Baptist  church.  On  March  6, 
1876,  the  society  became  incorporate  as  "The  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Willseyville,"  and  elected  John  Laurence, 
C.  C.  Eastman,  L.  Van  De  Bogert,  C.  E.  Sanford,  G.  A.  Lent, 
G.  M.  Whiteley,  and  J.  N.  Eastman  trustees.  Evidently  the 
society  thought  of  building. 

The  charge  has  witnessed  many  revivals. 

Pastorates 

1844,  L.  G.  Weaver;  1845-46,  J.  M.  Grimes;  1847,  H.  Pilbeam; 
1848,  J.  Jameson;  1849,  E.  Owen;  1850,  with  Spencer;  1851-52, 
L.  Pitts;  1853,  J.  V.  Newell;  1854,  G.  Jones;  1855,  E.  Sibley; 
1856-57,  K.  Elwell;  1858-59,  T.  Burgess;  i860,  A.  W.  Loomis; 
1861-62,  M.  Swallow;  1863-64,  W.  B.  Kinney;  1865,  H.  France; 
1866-67,  W.  H.  Gavitt ;  1868,  G.  W.  Reynolds ;  1869,  J.  A.  Wood ; 
1870-71,  J.  D.  Bloodgood;  1872,  A.  W.  Barrows;  1873-75,  N.  S. 
De  Witt;  1876,  H.  G.  Blair;  1877-79,  Z.  Evans;  1880-82,  S.  E. 
Walworth;  1883-84,  J.  C.  Johnson;  1885-87,  C.  Sweet;  1888-89, 
Asa  Brooks;  1890,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1891-92,  Z.  Evans;  1893,  E.  D. 
Kavanaugh;  1894,  S.  D.  Galpin ;  1895,  P.  F.  Mead;  1896-97, 
A.  L.  Hobart:  1898,  S.  D.  Galpin;  1899,  C.  Sweet;  1900,  E.  N. 
Kline;  1901,  O.  H.  P.  Armstrong;  1902-03,  G.  V.  McAllister. 


826 


Wyoming  Conference 


Speedsville,  N.  Y. 

The  charge  was  formed  in  1831.  From  1857  to  1880  it  was 
known  as  Caroline  Center,  and  took  the  name  of  Speedsville  again 
in  1881. 

The  class  at  Speedsville  was  organized  in  1820,  and  for  some 
time  worshiped  in  the  present  Universalist  church,  which  at  that 
time  was  a  union  church,  the  Universalists  owning  one  half  and 
the  Presbyterians  and  Methodists  one  quarter  each. 

Rev.  W.  Wyatt  says  that  in  1838  this  charge  had  two  churches — 
*'one  at  Speed's  Settlement,  a  mere  shell,  unfit  for  use,  and  was 
never  finished,  and  one  at  the  Rawson  Settlement,  a  comfortable 
little  house  that  would  seat  three  hundred  persons."  Wyatt  at- 
tempted to  build  a  church  at  Speedsville,  but  was  defeated  by  an 
Irishman,  who  had  subscribed  liberally,  who  secured  the  subscrip- 
tion paper  under  a  ruse  and  destroyed  it.  A  great  revival  was 
witnessed  under  Wyatt's  labors.  Universalism,  which  had  been 
strong  here,  at  this  time  was  largely  broken. 

The  Methodists  sold  their  interest  in  the  union  church  to  the 
Universalists.  Leonard  Legg  donated  the  site  for  the  church, 
which  was  built  in  1852  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,500.  It  was  dedicated 
on  Tuesday,  January  4,  1853,  with  sermons  by  Revs.  W.  H. 
Pearne  and  George  P.  Porter.  The  building  was  repaired  in  1887 
at  a  cost  of  $350. 

Rev:  O.  P.  Legg  was  converted  at  a  noted  revival  held  in  the 
union  church.   Another  great  revival  occurred  in  1869-70. 

The  parsonage  was  located  at  Caroline  Center  many  years.  In 
1872  a  parsonage  was  purchased  at  Speedsville.  The  house  at 
the  Center  burned  on  March  29,  1876,  while  occupied  by  Abel 
Lott,  and  without  insurance.  In  1898  the  present  parsonage 
property  was  secured  at  a  cost  of  $400. 

Caroline  Center  class  was  organized  in  1820  with  thirteen  mem- 
bers, by  Rev.  George  Harmon.  Ground  was  given  by  Augustin 
Boyer  for  a  church  and  cemetery,  and  a  church  built  in  1825,  cost- 
ing $1,000.  In  1866  this  church  was  torn  down  and  the  present 
one  built  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  It  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives. 
In  1894  this  building  was  repaired  at  an  expense  of  $300. 

Two  noteworthy  revivals  have  occurred  in  this  church,  one  in 
the  winter  of  1844-45,  ^^^^  the  other  in  1850. 

Jenkinsville  class  was  formed  at  an  early  day,  and  Ichabod 
Comstock  and  Isaac  Bunnell  were  its  main  members.  Revival 


Speedsville,  N.  Y. 


827 


services  were  at  first  held  in  Mr.  Bunnell's  house.  Ground  was 
given  by  James  Pumpelly,  with  the  reverting  clause  in  the  deed. 

On  January  13,  1852,  the  society  became  incorporate  as  'The 
Alpha  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  West  New- 
ark," and  elected  Russell  G.  Allen,  Michael  Jenks,  Ichabod  Corn- 
stock,  Isaac  Bunnell,  Joseph  Blanchard,  W.  Nixon,  2d,  and  Henry 
Armstrong  trustees. 

The  church  was  built  in  1852,  and  cost,  including  gifts  of 
lumber  and  labor,  $1,500.  It  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  January 
27,  1853,  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearne.  After  spending  $800  in  repairs 
the  church  was  reopened  on  October  2,  1883,  Revs.  H.  M.  Cryden- 
wise  and  R.  W.  Van  Schoick  being  the  preachers  of  the  occasion. 
The  sum  of  $420  was  raised  during  the  day.  Two  or  three  years 
were  consumed  in  fully  paying  for  these  repairs. 

The  society  again  incorporated  on  February  11,  1861,  as  "The 
Alpha  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Jenksville,"  with  E.  J. 
Crans,  W.  Nixon,  2d,  and  John  Nixon  trustees. 

A  camp  meeting  was  held  three  successive  years  in  Ackerman 
and  Miller's  Grove,  one  mile  south  of  the  church, 

Fairfield  class  was  organized  about  seventy-five  years  ago  at 
the  home  of  Jacob  Clark.  For  a  number  of  years  the  society  wor- 
shiped in  the  Blinn  schoolhouse.  At  a  meeting  of  the  society  on 
March  8,  1852,  at  which  Rev.  W.  Silsbee  and  Beri  Strong  pre- 
sided, the  society  became  incorporate  as  "The  Trustees  of  the 
Fairfield  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  and  elected  Beri  Strong, 
Brunson  Strong,  Homer  Knapp,  Nelson  Brink,  and  Ebenezer 
Lake  trustees.  Beri  Strong  donated  the  site,  and  the  church  was 
erected  in  1854,  costing  about  $2,000.  The  society  passed  through 
a  severe  struggle  in  freeing  itself  from  debt.  The  church  was 
thoroughly  repaired  in  1868,  at  a  cost  of  $600.  The  building  was 
erected  as  a  union  church  by  the  Methodists,  Christians,  and  Bap- 
tists.  It  is  now  occupied  only  by  the  Methodists. 

Two  camp  meetings  were  held  in  Lower  Fairfield  in  1849. 

Pastorates 

1831-32,  G.  Judd;  1833,  A.  Wood;  1834-35,  S.  Mineer ;  1836, 
J.  Griffing,  G.  W.  Densmore ;  1837,  Alpha  Warren ;  1838-3Q,  W. 
Wvatt;  1840,  T.  Wilcox;  1841-42,  J.  R.  Boswell ;  1843-44,  T.  D. 
Wire;  1845,  E.  P.  Beecher;  1846,  J.  Jameson;  1847  (with  Flem- 
ingville  in  1847-48),  J.  Jameson,  O.  L.  Torry;  1848,  J.  Whitham, 
H.  Pilbeam;  1849-50,  J.  M.  Grimes;  1851-52,  W.  Silsbee;  1853- 


828 


Wyoming  Conference 


54,  D.  Worrall,  P.  S.  Worden;  1855,  P.  S.  Worden;  1856,  R. 
Van  Valkenburg;  1857,  W.  Smith,  W.  J.  Judd;  1858,  J.  M. 
Grimes;  1859,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1860-61,  F.  S.  Chubbuck ;  1862- 
63,  R.  S.  Rose;  1864-65,  T.  Burgess;  1866-67,  P.  Holbrook ;  1868, 
P.  Krohn;  1869-70,  G.  W.  Reynolds;  1871,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1872- 
73,  S.  W.  Lindsley;  1874,  D.  Larish;  1875-76,  E.  Sibley;  1877-79, 
S.  B.  Keeney;  1880-82,  E.  N.  Sabin;  1883,  1.  N.  Shipman ;  1884- 
85,  E.  P.  Eldridge;  1886-87,  D.  D.  King;  1888-89,  A.  Osborn ; 
1890-91,  A.  G.  Bloomfield;  1892-94,  A.  F.  Brown;  1895,  G.  C. 
Hillman;  1896-97,  C.  D.  Skinner;  1898-99,  D.  H.  Gridley;  1900, 
 ;  1901-02,  G.  W.  Crosby;  1903,  . 

Spencer,  N.  Y. 

A  class  was  formed  in  1807  at  Pleasant  Valley,  four  miles  south- 
east of  Spencer  village,  and  was  the  first  class  organized  in  this 
section.  Peter  Lott  and  wife  did  much  in  laying  the  foundations 
of  Methodism  in  these  parts.  Father  Lott  was  born  in  Salisbury, 
Conn.,  where  he  was  converted  in  1790.  His  wife  Betsy  was 
converted  the  previous  year.  They  came  to  Pleasant  Valley  in 
1806,  where  they  at  once  began  laboring  for  God.  He  worked  his 
farm  during  the  week  and  found  places  to  tell  the  story  of  salva- 
tion on  Sunday.  His  wife,  who  was  gifted  in  exhortation,  would 
usually  go  with  him  to  his  appointments,  which  sometimes  neces- 
sitated a  walk  of  ten  to  twenty  miles.  "He  would  preach  and  she 
would  shout,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  done  she  exhorted  with  great 
power  and  effect."  Both  were  held  in  high  esteem  by  their  ac- 
quaintances. After  Father  Lott  formed  a  class  the  traveling 
preacher  would  take  it  into  his  plan. 

The  class  at  Spencer  was  formed  in  1809,  and  included  Peter 
Lott  and  wife  Betsy,  Jeremiah  Andrews,  Esther  Dean,  Abraham 
Garey,  and  Hester  Ann  Purdy. 

This  section  was  a  part  of  Tioga  Circuit  prior  to  the  formation 
of  Spencer  Circuit  in  1820. 

We  cannot  give  the  extent  of  the  circuit  in  its  earliest  days,  but 
in  1844  it  included  fifteen  preaching  places — Spencer  Village, 
Van  Ettenville,  Cayuta,  Rumsey  Hill,  Austin  Hill,  Langford 
Creek,  South  Section,  Shepherd's  Creek,  Lott  Schoolhouse,  Hector 
Hill,  Halsey  A^alley,  Cowell's  Corners,  The  Inlet,  Barnes's  Neigh- 
borhood, and  Dean's  Creek.  There  were  but  two  churches  on  the 
circuit.  Spencer  and  Cayuta.  Prior  to  1844  there  were  several 
more  preaching  places.  North  Spencer,  Ciumtown,  East  Spencer, 
Bald  Hill,  and  Hector  Hill  have  been  more  recent  out-appoint- 


Spencer,  N.  Y. 


829 


ments  of  the  charge.  Halsey  Valley  is  the  only  outlying  appoint- 
ment now  connected  with  the  charge. 

The  Spencer  church  was  built  in  1828  on  West  Tioga  Street, 
costing  $2,800.  The  bell  was  purchased  in  1883,  costing  $240. 
During  the  winter  of  1886-87  the  building  was  thoroughly  re- 
paired. Galleries  removed,  new  windows  put  in,  one  in  memory 
of  Elihu  and  Sarah  Butts,  new  pews,  audience  room  ceiled  with 
Georgia  pine,  and  otherwise  beautified,  all  costing  $1,700.  The 


SPENCER  CHURCH 


church  was  reopened  on  May  24,  1887,  Revs^  S.  Moore,  J.  O. 
Woodruff,  and  H.  M.  Crydenwise  ministering  on  the  occasion. 
In  1900  the  church  was  recarpeted  and  repainted. 

On  April  20,  1865,  in  consideration  of  $800,  Lewis  Clark  and 
wife  Jerusha  deeded  a  house  and  lot  to  the  society.  Of  this 
amount  Halsey  Valley  paid  $100.  In  the  winter  of  1884-85  a 
house  was  built  on  the  west  side  of  the  church  lot,  costing  $900, 
which  has  since  been  used  as  a  parsonage.  M.  Ruger  was  the 
first  resident  pastor,  1834-35. 

The  charge  has  been  greatly  favored  with  revivals.  In  1842 
there  were  between  four  hundred  and  five  hundred  conversions, 
and  the  following  year  over  one  hundred.  The  years  1857,  1858- 
59,  1862-63,  1864,  1873-75,  1878-79.  1887-90,  1891-95,  1896-99, 
1900,  and  1901-02  were  times  of  refreshing. 


830 


Wyoming  Conference 


Halsey  Valley  class  was  formed  some  time  prior  to  1844.  The 
society  met  in  the  schoolhouse  on  June  5,  1852,  and  became  in- 
corporate as  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Halsey 
Valley/'  choosing  as  its  seal  the  letter  H,  and  electing  Simeon  V. 
Hambleton,  John  Shilling,  James  I.  Benson,  Jesse  Vasbinder,  and 
Clayton  Randolph  trustees.  The  site  for  the  church  was  deeded 
to  the  society  on  December  i,  1853,  by  John  Shilling  and  wife 
Joanna,  in  consideration  of  $40,  and  the  church,  which  cost  $2,500, 
was  built  in  1854. 

In  1867  the  sum  of  $400  was  spent  in  repairs,  and  in  1892 
$420  was  expended  in  painting  the  building  and  beautifying  the 
interior.  Of  this  amount  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  raised  $305. 
On  the  day  of  reopening,  December  13,  1892,  Colonel  L.  B.  West 
offered  to  pay  $100  if  the  society  would  raise  the  other  $15.  Of 
course  it  was  done.  In  1894  a  vestibule  was  built,  in  1895  cushions 
were  bought  and  land  for  sheds  purchased,  and  in  1902  a  bell 
was  bought. 

Pastorates 

1820,  Jeter  Foster;  1821,  Horace  Agard,  A.  Orcutt;  1822,  J. 
McCreary,  John  Say  re;  1823,  A.  Cummings,  P.  Barbary;  1824, 
J.  Griffing,  C.  Kendall;  1825,  J.  Griffing,  J.  Wiley;  1826,  H.  G. 
Warner,  W.  D.  Overfield;  1827,  J.  Griffing,  J.  Towner;  1828,  J. 
Griffing,  M.  H.  Gaylord;  1829,  S.  Stocking,  C.  W.  Harris;  1830, 
S.  Mineer,  H.  Colburn;  1831,  James  Hall;  1832,  D.  Torry;  1833, 
G.  Judd,  R.  Ingalls;  1834-35,  M.  Ruger;  1836-37,  B.  D.  Sniff  en; 
1838,  J.  O.  Boswell;  1839,  John  Watson;  1840,  B.  D.  Snififen; 
1841,  A.  G.  Burlingame,  B.  D.  Sniffen,  sup. ;  1842,  B.  D.  SnifTen, 
A.  Brooks;  1843,  J-  Griffing;  1844,  J-  Griffing,  J.  Whitham;  1845, 

L.  Pitts,  J.  Whitham;  1846,  W.  Silsbee;  1847,   ;  1848,  B. 

EUis;  1849,  K.  Elwell;  1850,  K.  Elwell,  J.  Whitham;  1851,  B. 
ElHs;  1852,  B.  Ellis,  A.  P.  Mead;  1853,  A.  P.  Mead;  1854,  J.  W. 
Munger;  1855,  J.  K.  Peck;  1856,  C.  W.  Judd;  1857,  T.  Burgess; 
1858-59,  K.  Elwell;  i860,  L.  Cole;  1861,  S.  G.  Stevens;  1862-63, 
C.  W.  Todd;  1864,  W.  P.  Abbott;  1865,  W.  P.  Abbott,  A.  D. 
Alexander;  1866,  A.  D.  Alexander;  1867,  P.  Krohn;  1868,  W.  N. 
Cooley;  1869,  W.  B.  Kinney;  1870-71,  C.  S.  Alexander;  1872, 
J.  F.  Williams;  1873,  J-  L.  Wells;  1874-75,  J.  Ryder;  1876,  R. 
Varcoe;  1877,  D.  Larish;  1878-79,  D.  F.  Waddell;  1880-81,  Z. 
Evans;  1882,  I.  N.  Shipman ;  1883-84,  D.  W.  Swetland;  1885-86, 
C.  H.  Basford;  1887-90,  L.  P.  Howard;  1891-95,  L  B.  Wilson; 
1896-99,  J.  B.  Davis;  1900,  R.  W.  Lowry ;  1901-02,  W.  H.  Stang; 
1903,  E.  N.  Sabin. 


Tioga,  N.  Y. 


831 


Tioga,  N.  Y. 

Tioga  Center,  now  Tioga,  was  on  Barton  Circuit  in  1837,  and 
subsequently  was  with  North  Tioga  (q.  v.)- 

On  September  18,  1871,  in  consideration  of  $200,  Ezekiel 
Dubois  and  wife  deeded  to  the  society  the  building  lot.  On  May 
14,  1872,  the  society  met  at  the  Baptist  church  and  became  in- 
corporate as  'The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Tioga 
Center."  John  G.  Smith,  William  Ransom,  Ezekiel  Dubois,  David 
T.  Smith,  J.  H.  Martin,  Nicholas  Schoonover,  and  Isaiah  C. 
Fenderson  were  elected  trustees.   The  church,  which  cost  $8,000, 


TIOGA  CHURCH 


was  dedicated  on  June  12,  1873,  Rev.  A.  C.  George,  D.D.,  preach- 
ing in  the  morning  and  Rev.  A.  H.  Wyatt  in  the  evening.  Colonel 
W.  Ransom  built  the  church.  Perhaps  $2,000  was  paid  from  other 
sources.  At  dedication  a  large  amount  of  the  cost  was  left  unpro- 
vided for,  probably  more  than  one  half.  In  time  the  property  was 
sold  at  sheriff's  sale,  and  Colonel  Ransom  bought  it,  thus  obtaining 
a  title  to  the  property.  However,  the  society  had  the  use  of  it  free 
of  rent  for  years.  After  his  death  his  daughter,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Latti- 
mer,  on  Sunday,  March  18,  1883,  presented  the  society  with  the 


Wyoming  Conference 


property  and  its  furnishings.    The  judgment  was  for  $6,000, 
accumulated  interest  $4,000,  making  a  total  of  $10,000.  Mrs. 
Lattimer  executed  a  deed  for  the  property  on  April  7,  1883. 
The  parsonage  was  built  in  1885,  costing  $1,175. 

Pastorates 

1873-74,  C.  S.  Alexander;  1875,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1876-77,  G.  M. 
Chamberlain;  1878-79,  S.  E.  Walworth;  1880-82,  J.  K.  Peck; 
1883,  J.  T.  Burrall;  1884-86,  N.  W.  Barnes;  1887-89,  A.  D. 
Decker;  1890,  N.  W.  Barnes;  1891,  S.  A.  Terry;  1892,  J.  D. 
Bloodgood;  1893-95,  Z.  Evans;  1896-98,  N.  W.  Barnes;  1899- 
1901,  C.  Councilman;  1902,  E.  R.  Post;  1903,  G.  L.  Granger. 

Waverly,  N.  Y. 

Ellistown.  Ebenezer  Ellis  settled  near  the  mouth  of  Ellis  Creek 
in  1 79 1,  and  in  1795  John  Hanna  and  Luke  Saunders  with  two 
or  three  others  settled  there.  The  class  was  formed  in  1805  by 
Frederick  Stiver  and  Timothy  Lee,  in  John  Hanna's  log  house, 
and  was  the  result  of  a  general  revival  of  religion  along  the  river. 
The  class  included  John  Hanna,  Luke  Saunders,  Ebenezer  and 
Samuel  Ellis,  and  their  wives,  and  Sarah  Bingham.  Samuel  Ellis 
was  the  leader,  and  meetings  were  held  in  a  log  schoolhouse, 
which  was  subsequently  abandoned  for  a  frame  one.  A  few  years 
later  a  revival  brought  additions  to  the  class,  Siras  Johnson, 
Joseph  Wilkinson,  G.  Hanna,  Elisha  Hill,  William  and  Alexander 
Ellis,  and  their  wives,  and  ^Irs.  Parker  being  among  them. 

The  church  was  built  in  1834,  and  was  called  Emory  Chapel. 
It  is  kept  in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  and  services  are  now 
being  held  in  it  by  a  local  preacher  from  Waverly  Church,  where 
Ellistown  holds  its  relation. 

Factoryville  class  was  organized  in  1828  by  Elishama  Tozer  and 
Piere  Hyatt,  their  wives,  and  Jerusha  Wilcox.  ]\Ir.  Tozer  came 
to  this  place  in  1801.  He  was  appointed  leader  of  the  class,  which 
office  he  held  forty  years.  "While  settlements  were  being  made 
along  the  Susquehanna  and  Chemung,  other  pioneers  had  ap- 
proached northward  and  westward  and  located  on  the  highlands. 
Piere  Hyatt,  Paris  and  Robert  Saunders,  Jacob  Swain,  G.  W. 
Plumber,  Nathan  Slawson,  and  Stephen  Van  Derlip  being  among 
the  first.  After  these  came  Daniel  Blizard,  David  ^landeville, 
Sr.,  Peter  and  Lewis  Quick,  S.  T.  Van  Derlip  and  others,  and 
nearly  all  attached  themselves  to  the  ^Methodist  society. 


Waverly,  N.  Y. 


833 


The  schoolhouse,  which  stood  at  the  forks  of  the  road,  speedily 
became  too  small  for  the  audiences,  and  many  were  forced  to  stand 
during  services.  Among  the  crowd  which  frequented  this  place 
were  eight  local  preachers  and  three  exhorters.  The  local  preach- 
ers were  Elishama  Tozer,  Gilbert  H.  Hallett,  Thomas  Wilcox, 
Andrew  Burhyte,  King  Elwell,  Peter  Halliday,  Peter  Wentz,  and 
L.  Bennett,  four  of  whom  became  members  of  Conference.  The 
exhorters  were  Dr.  Rowland  Wilcox,  Shepard  Wilcox,  and 
Mandeville  J.  Reed.    The  schoolhouse  being  unable  to  accomo- 


WAVERLY  CHURCH 


date  the  crowd,  three  classes  were  formed  in  different  parts  of 
the  town — one  at  Perryville,  one  at  West  Hill,  and  one  in  the  Scott 
district  on  the  west  side  of  the  Chemung  River.  After  the  church 
was  built  they  were  again  united  in  one  class. 

On  October  29,  1838,  at  a  meeting  of  the  society,  over  which 
Rev.  B.  D.  Sniffin  and  Harvey  Benjamin  presided,  the  society 
became  incorporate  as  "The  Trustees  of  the  Fletcher  Factoryville 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Town  of  Barton, 
County  of  Tioga,  State  of  New  York,"  and  Gilbert  H.  Hallett, 
Amos  P.  Spalding,  Jacob  H.  Russell,  Luther  Stone,  Elishama 
Tozer,  Jacob  Burhyte,  Philip  Finch,  Rufus  Darrow,  and  Alpheus 
53 


834 


Wyoming  Conference 


H.Tozer  were  elected  trustees.  On  January  i,  1866, the  name  of  the 
society  was  changed  to  ''Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Waverly." 
On  January  16,  1839,  in  consideration  of  $200,  Jonathan  B.  Stuard 
and  wife  Alice  deeded  the  society  one  acre  of  ground,  upon  which 
the  Factoryville  church  was  built,  which  was  called  Fletcher 
Chapel  and  cost  $3,000.  It  was  dedicated  on  December  10,  1840, 
by  Rev.  Horace  Agard,  pastor.  The  building  was  of  the  style  of 
the  times — galleries,  high  pulpit,  pews  with  doors,  etc.  The 
church  was  located  on  what  is  now  Ithaca  Street. 

About  the  year  1846  that  portion  of  the  Ellistown  class  who 
lived  west  of  the  Talmadge  Hill  road  made  application  to  be  at- 
tached to  the  Fletcher  Chapel  class.  The  petition  was  granted. 
At  a  later  date  the  remaining  ones,  finding  a  possibility  of  their 
being  attached  to  the  Barton  charge,  with  services  once  a  fortnight, 
also  asked  admission  to  this  same  class,  which  was  also  granted 
by  the  presiding  elder. 

The  society's  growth  was  such  that  in  1853  ^  class  of  forty 
members  was  formed  which  met  in  the  schoolroom  of  Miss  Wells 
on  Waverly  Street.  Charles  Harsh  was  made  leader,  which  office 
he  held  until  death.  In  1859  ^^o  new  classes  were  formed,  one 
in  the  old  stonehouse  of  Alvah  Jarvis  on  Chemung  Street  opposite 
the  present  church,  the  other  in  Temperance  Hall,  in  the  third 
story  of  Gilbert's  block  on  Broad  Street.  ''These  classes  were  to 
the  church  like  the  outer  picket  guards  to  an  army,  and  they  have 
been  stationed  at  different  times  in  nearly  every  section  of  the 
town." 

The  growth  of  the  town  was  away  from  the  church,  and  it 
became  desirable  to  seek  a  better  location  for  the  church.  Accord- 
ingly, a  lot  on  Waverly  Street  opposite  where  Elizabeth  Street 
now  opens,  was  purchased  in  May,  1863,  and  the  work  of  building 
begun.  The  last  quarterly  meeting  in  the  old  Fletcher  Chapel 
was  held  on  February  27,  1864,  and  the  new  church  was  dedicated 
on  March  17,  1864,  Bishop  Janes  preaching  in  the  morning  and 
Rev.  G.  P.  Porter  in  the  evening.  The  building  was  50x80  feet, 
with  a  basement,  and  cost  $8,000. 

"For  one  year,  nine  months,  and  seven  days  this  church  was 
ours  to  enjoy;  then  disaster  came.  On  the  24th  of  December,  1865, 
just  as  the  communion  services  were  drawing  at  a  close,  that  terri- 
fying word,  'fire,'  was  hurled  into  the  midst  of  the  worshipers. 
The  congregation,  little  thinking  where  the  fire  was,  quickly  dis- 
persed. One  good  old  saint,  as  he  came  down  the  stairs,  put  his 
hand  against  the  wall  and  cried  out,  'O  my  God !  it  is  our 
church !'    In  a  few  hours  the  Methodists  were  homeless,  but  not 


Waverly,  N.  Y. 


835 


friendless.  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  friends  came  forward,  offer- 
ing their  places  of  worship  for  our  accommodation.  The  following 
day,  Christmas,  the  trustees  called  together  the  church  members 
to  consult  in  regard  to  building.  The  meeting  was  held  in  Lean- 
der  Walker's  office.  Five  thousand  dollars  was  subscribed.  In 
the  meantime  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  had  met,  and  some  had 
started  out  by  twos  to  notify  the  country  friends  that  a  Methodist 
festival  would  be  held  that  night  in  Davis  Hall,  now  Exchange 
Block.  Others  circulated  handbills  through  the  village  to  the 
same  effect.  All  worked  with  a  will.  The  festival  was  a  success. 
Many  came  to  the  door,  and  being  unable  to  get  in,  handed  in  their 
donations  of  $5  or  $10  and  went  away.  The  Ladies  netted  $460. 
It  was  decided  to  rebuild  immediately,  the  building  to  be  of  brick. 
The  loan  of  the  Baptist  Church  was  accepted  for  about  a  month, 
then  the  Waverly  Institute  was  used  for  another  month,  then  Davis 
Hall  was  hired  and  occupied  until  April  4,  1867.  There  was  an 
insurance  of  $6,000  on  church  and  organ,  and  after  paying  in- 
debtedness and  other  expenses  the  trustees  held  $3,400  with  which 
to  begin  another  church.  It  was  resolved  to  sell  the  old  lot  and  to 
purchase  a  more  central  location,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Che- 
mung and  Waverly  Streets,  where  the  present  structure  stands. 

'The  corner  stone  of  this  new  church  was  laid  June  15,  1866. 
Dr.  Bristol,  of  Binghamton,  conducted  the  services  and  delivered 
the  address,  his  subject  being  'Economy  of  Church  Building — 
Christ  the  Head  and  Corner  Stone.'  A  collection  of  $400  was 
taken.'' 

The  church  cost  $20,000,  and  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  April 
4,  1867,  Rev.  H.  Mattison  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  B.  1. 
Ives  in  the  evening.  After  expending  $2,500  for  stained-glass 
windows,  frescoing,  and  refinishing  the  woodwork,  painting  and 
penciling  the  outside,  the  church  was  reopened  on  Friday,  January 
29,  1875,  Rev.  E.  O.  Haven,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morning  and 
Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  in  the  evening.  Minor  improvements  were  made 
on  the  church  in  1889-90,  and  in  1895  $4,000  was  spent  in  reno- 
vation. 

Mr.  A.  I.  Decker  has  been  Sunday  school  superintendent  here 
about  twenty-five  years. 

We  are  unable  to  give  the  exact  date  of  the  building  of  the 
parsonage.  It  was  probably  built  shortly  after  the  church.  It  was 
remodeled  in  1901  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

Waverly  entertained  the  Wyoming  Conference  in  June,  1854, 
March,  1864,  April,  1873,  April,  1881,  April,  1891,  and  April,  1902. 
Preparatory  to  the  Conference  of  1854  the  chapel  was  thoroughly 


836 


Wyoming  Conference 


renovated,  and  a  large  tent  was  pitched  on  the  Waverly  Park 
which  would  seat  six  hundred  people,  which  was  used  for  the  Sab- 
bath services. 

A  camp  meeting  was  held  at  Ellistown  in  September,  1832,  on 
the  land  of  David  Lyons.  Many  were  converted  and  the  Ellis- 
town  and  Factoryville  classes  greatly  strengthened.  Among  the 
converts  w-ere  Philip  Finch,  Charles  Hopkins,  and  their  wives, 
Thomas  Wilcox,  King  Elwell,  Frederick  and  Alpheus  Tozer.  A 
meeting  was  held  the  following  year  in  the  same  place.  In  June, 
1835,  a  camp  meeting  was  held  on  the  farm  of  Harry  N.  Floyd 
with  good  results.  The  houses  of  Mr.  Floyd  and  Uncle  John 
Hanna  were  "Methodist  inns."  A  camp  meeting  was  held  in 
August,  1854,  on  the  land  of  Benjamin  H.  Davis,  a  little  north  of 
where  J.  W.  Knapp  now  resides,  and  in  September,  i860,  another 
meeting  was  held  in  the  same  place,  called  "Mount  Encampment." 

Sayre,  Athens,  and  Litchfield  have  been  with  this  charge  at 
some  time. 

Some  great  revivals  have  been  held  here.  In  December,  1847, 
to  February,  1848,  there  were  seventy-five  accessions.  In  Novem- 
ber and  December,  1853,  one  hundred  and  forty-five  conversions, 
and  in  January,  1877,  one  hundred  conversions.  Many  other 
gracious  seasons  might  be  referred  to. 

Pastorates 

With  Tioga  Circuit  prior  to  1821 ;  with  Spencer  Circuit  1821-28 ; 
with  Barton  Circuit,  1829-50;  1851-52,  J.  W.  Davison;  1853, 
O.  M.  McDowall;  1854-55,  G.  P.  Porter;  1856,  J.  M.  Snvder; 
1857-58,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1859-60,  G.  P.  Porter;  1861,  J.  A.  Wood; 
1862-63,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1864-66,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1867,  H.  Wheeler; 
1868-70,  W.  B.  Westlake;  1871,  L.  W.  Peck;  1872-73,  W.  H. 
Olin;  1874,  S.  F.  Brown;  1875-76,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1877-79, 
G.  R.  Hair;  1880-82,  A.  L.  Smalley;  1883-85,  S.  Moore;  1886-88, 
J.  O.  Woodruff;  1889-91,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1892-96,  C.  M.  Surdam; 
1 897- 1 903,  J.  W.  Nicholson. 

West  Danby,  N.  Y. 

]\Iiss  May  Thatcher  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  Rev.  J. 
Whitham  preached  in  the  schoolhouse  two  miles  below  their  home 
at  an  early  date.  Later  Rev.  Jasper  Hewitt's  father  moved  into 
that  school  district  and  remained  some  time.  Elisha  Thatcher  and 
his  wife  Sarah,  their  sons  Jeremiah  and  John,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  A. 
Thatcher  were  members  of  the  first  class  in  the  district.    "As  it 


Windham,  Pa. 


837 


was  eight  miles  to  Spencer  and  five  to  Newfield,  and  a  hard  hill 
between  here  and  Danby,  they  joined  the  church  at  Newfield." 

Rev.  E.  G.  W.  Hall,  a  student  at  Cazenovia  Seminary,  visited  the 
place  in  March,  1869.  John  Thatcher  invited  him  to  preach  on 
Sunday.  The  Baptists  having  no  preacher  at  that  time,  he  preached 
in  the  Baptist  church.  He  stayed  two  weeks  and  held  revival  serv- 
ices, in  which  a  large  number  were  converted.  In  July  Rev.  W. 
Adams,  the  Methodist  pastor  at  Newfield,  organized  a  class  from 
the  young  converts,  to  which  were  added  the  names  of  James 
Bruce  and  wife  Susan,  Elisha  and  Sarah  Thatcher,  Jeremiah,  John, 
and  Polly  Thatcher.  Services  were  held  in  the  West  Danby  school- 
house  until  the  church  was  built.  Rev.  J.  K.  Underbill,  the  assist- 
ant pastor  at  Newfield,  cared  for  the  work  here. 

The  lot  for  the  church  was  purchased  of  J.  P.  Thatcher  for  $100, 
and  the  corner  stone  of  the  church  laid  on  July  4,  1870.  The 
church,  costing  $3,000,  was  dedicated  on  November  27,  1870,  by 
Presiding  Elder  White,  of  Cortland  District,  and  the  dedicatory 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  E.  G.  W.  Hall  from  John  iii,  16. 

During  the  winter  of  1869-70  Mr.  Hall  labored  with  this  people. 
Meetings  were  held  at  Nettle's  Schoolhouse,  where  there  were 
about  twenty  conversions,  and  a  revival  service  at  the  Inlet  Valley 
schoolhouse  resulted  in  about  eighty  conversions. 

In  1872  West  Danby  came  to  Wyoming  Conference. 

Pastorates 

1872,  S.  Spencer;  1873,  J.  H.  Boyce;  1874,  A.  B.  Eckert;  1875, 
C.  C.  Williams;  1876,  C.  R.  Hart;  1877,  A.  J.  Brown;  1878, 
A.  Loomis;  1879-80,  S:  Barner;  1881-82,  J.  C.  Johnson;  1883,  S. 
E.  Walworth;  1884-85,  D.  D.  King;  1886,  M.  R.  Kerr;  1887,  W. 
P.  Horton;  1888-89,  B.  B.  Carruth;  1890,  L.  P.  Howard;  1891-92, 
G.  H.  Northrup;  1893,  S.  E.  Hunt;  1894,  A.  G.  Bloomfield;  1895, 
W.  Wilkinson;  1896-99,  T.  B.  Roberts;  1900,  H.  Roberts;  1901- 
02,  G.  B.  Tompkins ;  1903,  . 

Windham,  Pa. 

Windham  Circuit  was  formed  from  Nichols  Circuit  in  1855. 
At  its  formation  the  circuit  included  Windham,  Briggs  Hollow, 
Wait  Settlement,  Gibson  Corners,  and  Mineral  Springs.  Mecca 
was  added  in  May,  1859,  but  was  discontinued  in  April,  1869,  and 
the  members  transferred  to  the  Windham  and  Wait  Settlement 
classes.  About  this  time  Kenyon  Hill  was  added,  but  was  soon 
dropped,  as  was  Mineral  Springs. 


838 


Wyoming  Conference 


Windham.  William  Russell  and  family  settled  in  the  Wapsene 
valley,  near  the  present  site  of  Windham,  in  1819.  Soon  after 
this  religious  services  were  commenced  at  the  home  of  Jephtha 
Brainard,  who  lived  a  half  mile  west  of  the  Russells.  Services 
were  held  in  private  houses  until  1833,  when  they  were  taken  to 
the  schoolhouse,  where  they  continued  until  the  building  of  the 
church. 

The  building  of  a  church  agitated  the  society  some  time,  but 
they  were  unable  to  agree  upon  a  site.  At  last  the  following  par- 
ties chose  a  location  and  built  the  church  upon  their  own  respon- 
sibility: Julius  Russell,  Peter  Kuy  Kendall,  Henry  Boyce,  W. 
Sibley,  W.  H.  Perry,  Solomon  Sibley,  James  ISl.  Peck,  and  Daniel 
Gardiner.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  December 
15,  1852,  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearne  and  G.  P.  Porter  preaching  the  ser- 
mons. On  the  26th  of  December  the  community  gathered  at  the 
church,  when  the  pews  were  sold  at  prices  varying  from  $20  to 
$45,  thus  providing  for  the  cost  of  the  building.  The  building 
was  extensively  repaired  in  1888. 

The  society  was  incorporated  as  "The  Windham  Meetinghouse," 
the  charter  being  granted  by  the  court  in  February,  1854.  The  first 
trustees  were  J.  M.  Peck,  W.  Sibley,  W.  Russell,  Elijah  Shoe- 
maker, and  Henry  Boyce. 

The  Freewill  Baptists  enjoy  equal  privileges  in  the  building. 

The  parsonage  and  barn  were  built  in  1856  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

Wait  Settlement  class  was  organized  about  1837,  and  services 
were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  until  the  building  of  the  church.  The 
society  met  at  the  schoolhouse  on  June  9,  1852,  and  became  incor- 
porate as  "The  Trustees  of  the  Wait  Settlement  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,"  electing  John  Wait,  Nathaniel  Goodspeed,  W. 
White,  Simmons  W.  Harden,  S.  B.  Harden,  and  Henry  Wait,  Jr., 
trustees.  The  church  was  built  in  1853  on  an  acre  of  ground 
donated  by  Henry  Wait,  the  deed  for  which,  however,  was  not  ex- 
ecuted until  December  5,  1866.  On  June  5,  1865,  the  society  again 
incorporated,  retaining  the  same  title  as  before,  and  electing  John 
Wait,  James  A.  Nichols,  Henry  Dunham,  James  Olmstead,  and 
Orin  D.  Nichols  trustees.  On  December  15,  1886,  after  expending 
$820  in  repairs,  the  church  was  reopened,  Rev.  W.  Treible  preach- 
ing the  dedicatory  sermon,  and  Rev.  H.  M.  Crv^denwise  conducting 
the  dedicatory  service. 

Briggs  Hollow  class  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  revival  held  in  the 
old  Asbury  Church  in  1823,  in  which  the  country  for  miles  around 
was  stirred.    A  number  of  the  converts  living  in  Briggs  Hollow 


Wyalusing,  Pa. 


839 


met  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Annable  and  organized  a  class,  with 
Mr.  Annable  leader.  The  society  worships  in  the  school- 
house. 

Gibson  Corners  class  was  formed  at  an  early  day  and  services 
held  in  the  schoolhouse.  On  November  10,  1900,  Charles  Anne- 
ville  deeded  to  'The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Gibson 
Corners"  a  lot  as  a  gift.  Matthew  Goodrich,  Addison  Hauer,  and 
Frederick  Bostwick  were  the  trustees.  During  the  summer  of 
1901  a  church,  costing  $1,200,  was  built,  which  was  dedicated  in 
early  winter. 

Pastorates 

1855,  supply;  1856-57,  W.  B.  Kinney;  1858-59,  C  E.  Taylor; 
1860-61,  E.  Sibley;  1862-63,  J.  L.  Legg;  1864-65,  G.  W.  Leach; 
1866-68,  S.  E.  Walworth;  1869-70,  A.  Brigham;  1871-72,  E.  M. 
High;  1873-74,  J.  F.  Williams;  1875-76,  J.  R.  Angell ;  1877-79, 
A.  W.  Loomis;  1880-82,  J.  R.  Allen;  1883,  J.  B.  Chynoweth;  1884, 
S.  D.  Galpin;  1885-86,  J.  C.  Johnson;  1887-90,  O.  P.  Legg;  1891- 
94,  L.  P.  Howard ;  1895-99,  S.  B.  Keeney ;  1900-03,  C.  L.  Lewis. 

Wyalusing,  Pa. 

The  first  record  of  religious  work  among  the  whites  of  this  sec- 
tion (work  among  the  Indians  having  been  done  here  as  early  as 
1742)  is  of  services  held  in  the  house  of  Mrs.  Lucretia  Miner 
York,  under  the  direction  of  an  old  man  named  Gideon  Baldwin. 
The  York  home  was  near  Browntown,  and  the  services  were  com- 
menced in  the  latter  part  of  1785.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baldwin  and  Mrs. 
York  were  the  only  Christians  in  the  neighborhood  then.  They 
agreed  to  meet  weekly,  inviting  their  neighbors  to  be  present. 
Meetings  were  held  on  Sundays,  when  Mr.  Baldwin  would  read 
the  Scriptures  and  pray  and  a  sermon  would  be  read  by  a  son  of 
Mrs.  York.  These  services  were  productive  of  much  good,  and 
since  they  were  commenced  this  section  of  the  valley  has  never 
been  without  religious  services.  The  Presbyterians  organized 
work  here  in  1793. 

In  1792  William  Colbert  was  appointed  to  the  Northumberland 
Circuit  and  John  Hill  to  Tioga  Circuit.  Hill  does  not  seem  to 
have  done  any  work  on  Tioga  Circuit.  This  may  have  suggested 
to  Colbert  the  advisability  of  going  through  that  territory.  On 
Sunday,  early  in  December,  1792,  Mr.  Colbert  preached  at  Guy 
Wells's  from  Acts  iii,  19,  "Repent  ye  therefore,  and  be  converted." 
When  he  had  finished  a  Baptist  preacher  named  Stalford  opened 


840 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  Bible  and  announced  a  text  from  Song  of  Sol.  ii,  lo,  "Rise  up, 
my  love,  my  fair  one,  and  come  away."  In  his  sermon  he  told  the 
little  congregation  that  Christ  had  done  all,  and  that  they  had 
nothing  to  do.  In  Colbert's  journal,  under  date  of  Sunday,  March 
31,  1793,  he  says:  "I  preached  at  Wyalusing.  Four  weeks  ago  I 
gave  out  for  a  public  collection  in  this  place  to  be  made  to-day, 
but  very  few  came  to  meeting.  My  friend  Baldwin  [Baldwin  lived 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Wyalusing  Creek]  spoke  of  the  collection,  but 
nobody  said  anything  in  reply.    So  I  came  off  without  anything. 


WYALUSING  CHURCH 


and  I  can  truly  say  that  I  shall  be  happy  if  this  was  all  that  I  have 
to  trouble  me  in  this  circuit."  In  18 12  Marmaduke  Pearce,  upon 
the  invitation  of  a  young  man  named  Nathaniel  Chubbuck,  did 
some  work  in  this  territory. 

In  1 8 14  the  lower  end  of  Tioga  Circuit  was  cut  ofT  and  formed 
Wyalusing  Circuit.  Wyalusing  Circuit  is  said  to  have  included 
at  this  time  Owego,  Nichols,  Barton,  Waverly,  Factoryville, 
Athens,  Litchfield,  Apalachin,  Windham,  Orwell,  Skinner's  Eddy, 
Rome,  and  Wyalusing.  This  is  in  the  main  true.  It  is  question- 
able whether  the  first  five  named  places  were  in  the  circuit.  By 


Wyalusing,  Pa. 


841 


the  creation  of  charges  the  Wyalusing  Circuit  was  consumed  so 
that  it  disappeared  from  the  list  of  appointments  in  1838. 

In  the  fall  of  1842  Mr.  John  Hollenback  employed  Mr.  Thomas 
Tuck,  an  English  local  preacher,  to  teach  the  Wyalusing  school. 
It  was  his  custom  to  open  the  school  by  reading  from  the  Bible 
and  offering  prayer.  At  this  time  two  godly  women,  Mrs.  Rhoda 
Allen  and  Mrs.  Lois  Brown,  were  living  at  Browntown,  and  were 
the  only  Methodists  in  this  section  at  that  time.  Thomas  Tuck 
was  invited  to  conduct  some  prayer  meetings  at  Browntown  (prob- 
ably by  these  women).  After  conducting  the  meetings  ten  days 
he  sent  to  the  Skinner's  Eddy  pastor  for  assistance.  Mr.  Browns- 
combe  labored  with  Mr.  Tuck  ten  weeks.  The  meetings  were  held 
in  the  schoolhouse,  which  still  stands,  and  were  productive  of  great 
good,  there  being  about  sixty  conversions.  In  April,  1843, 
Brownscombe  organized  a  class  of  twenty-nine  members,  known 
as  the  Browntown  and  Wyalusing  class,  with  James  Butler  leader. 
Eleven  of  the  twenty-nine  lived  at  Wyalusing,  and  four  of  these 
were  soon  transferred  to  Asylum.  "In  the  following  May  the  first 
quarterly  meeting  was  held  in  a  barn  then  owned  by  Joseph  Bos- 
worth,  part  of  which  is  now  (1892)  standing  near  the  old  school- 
house  and  owned  by  Samuel  Howard."  The  altar  was  of  rough 
boards  covered  with  a  tablecloth,  as  was  also  the  pulpit.  Quilts 
were  spread  upon  the  floor,  upon  which  the  communicants  knelt. 
Mr.  Tuck  preached  here  until  the  ensuing  Conference,  after  which 
the  work  was  cared  for  by  the  Skinner's  Eddy  pastors  until 
Wyalusing  was  made  a  charge  in  1852.  In  1843  P.  G.  White  and 
C.  E.  Taylor  were  on  the  charge.  Mr.  White  lived  part  of  the  time 
at  George  Sumner's  and  part  of  the  time  at  the  Eddy.  In  1844 
J.  W.  Davison  and  C.  E.  Taylor  were  the  pastors.  Mr.  Taylor 
lived  at  Wyalusing  and  Mr.  Davison  at  the  Eddy.  In  1845  Rev. 
J.  B.  Cooper  attended  to  the  work  at  Wyalusing  and  Browntown, 
and  Mr.  Davison  to  the  rest  of  the  charge.  From  1846  to  1848 
E.  Owen  and  E.  B.  Tenny  were  the  pastors.  George  Landon 
supplied  the  work  in  1849,  while  he  lived  at  Herrick. 

When  Wyalusing  charge  was  formed  in  1852  it  included  Wya- 
lusing, Spring  Hill,  Camptown,  Lime  Hill,  Standing  Stone,  East 
Herrick,  and  the  Grove  schoolhouse. 

On  November  23,  1854,  a  brick  church,  34x50  feet,  without 
steeple,  costing  $1,800  was  dedicated  at  Wyalusing  by  Rev.  George 
Peck.  On  Sunday,  April  21,  1878,  after  new  pews,  altar  rail,  and 
recess  back  of  the  pulpit  had  been  built,  the  church  was  reopened. 
Rev.  A.  Griffin  preached  in  the  morning,  and  Rev.  D.  Craft,  pastor 
of  the  Wyalusing  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  evening.  On 


842 


Wyoming  Conference 


Wednesday,  January  15,  1885,  occurred  another  reopening.  Forty- 
five  hundred  dollars  had  been  spent  in  erecting  a  new  front  with 
tower,  building  the  walls  to  twice  their  original  height,  putting 
on  a  slate  roof,  and  appropriately  finishing  the  interior.  Mrs. 
Helen  Canfield  secured  the  bell,  Miss  Silvaria  the  reflector,  and  a 
memorial  window  was  presented  by  Mrs.  D.  K.  Brown.  Rev.  A. 
Griffin  preached  in  the  morning,  and  R.  W.  Van  Schoick  in  the 
evening.  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  conducted  the  dedicatory  serv- 
ices. A  total  of  $2,335  was  raised  during  the  day.  In  1890  a 
debt  of  $1,800,  the  result  of  shrinkage  in  subscriptions  and  accu- 
mulated interest,  was  embarrassing  the  society.  Subscriptions 
amounting  to  $1,032,  and  a  winter  fair  which  netted  $857,  freed 
the  society  from  debt. 

Rev.  S.  F.  Brown  lived  at  Merryall  and  Camptown.  Rev.  D.  C. 
Barnes  lived  at  Spring  Hill,  in  the  house  now  occupied  by  Gilbert 
Sumner.  The  present  parsonage  was  bought  in  1872,  costing 
about  $1,400. 

The  charge  has  had  some  very  fruitful  revivals. 

Spring  Hill  is  the  out-appointment  of  the  charge.  The  class  is 
claimed  to  have  been  formed  in  1840,  and  by  others  in  1850. 
Presumably  the  work  was  somewhat  intermittent  prior  to  1852. 
The  church  cost  $2,500,  and  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  Decem- 
ber 18,  1867,  by  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead.  Mr.  Olmstead  preached  in 
the  morning  from  Luke  vii,  33,  and  Rev.  S.  F.  Brown  in  the 
evening.  About  1885  $800  was  spent  in  repairs.  In  1893  a  hall 
was  built  for  the  use  of  the  church,  costing  $900. 

Pastorates 

Wyalusing  Circuit:  1814,  R.  M.  Everts;  1815,  E.  Bibbins; 
1816-17,  John  Griffing;  1818,  E.  Bibbins,  E.  King,  sup.;  1819,  E. 
Doolittle,  H.  G.  Warner;  1820,  A.  Cummins,  H.  Agard;  1821,  A. 
Cummins,  G.  Judd;  1822,  J.  Griffing,  James  Hodge;  1823,  J. 
Rogers,  W.  Lull;  1824,  J.  Griffing,  C.  Kendall,  P.  Barbary;  1825, 
H.  Agard,  S.  Stocking;  1826,  J.  Griffing,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1827, 
H.  G.  Warner,  D.  A.  Shepard ;  1828,  John  Sayre,  C.  Nash ;  1829, 
C.  Nash,  E.  Colson;  1830,  H.  Agard,  M.  Adams;  1831,  S.  H. 
Stocking,  M.  R.  Cushman ;  1832,  C.  W.  Harris;  1833,  J.  W. 
McKee,  S.  B.  Yarrington;  1834,  M.  Sherman,  C.  W.  Giddings; 
1835,  E.  B.  Tenny,  K.  Elwell ;  1836,  B.  Elhs;  1837,  G.  Evans,  A. 
Barker. 

Wyalusing  charge:  1852,  G.  W.  Jackson;  1853,  O.  F.  Morse; 
1854-55,  L.  Peck;  1856,  S.  F.  Brown;  1857,  E.  Sibley;  1858,  J.  C. 


Wyalusing,  Pa. 


843 


Barnes;  1859,  George  Landon ;  i860,  1.  D.  Warren;  1861-62, 
I.  P.  Towner;  1863-65,  S.  F.  Brown;  1866,  A.  F.  Harding;  1867- 
68,  A.  J.  Arnold  ;  1869,  P.  R.  Tower,  J.  B.  Sumner ;  1870-71,  G.  M. 
Chamberlain;  1872,  D.  C.  Barnes;  1873-75,  J.  B.  Sumner;  1876- 
77,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1878-80,  L.  Cole;  1881,  J.  Weston;  1882-83, 
J.  D.  Bloodgood;  1884-86,  J.  B.  Davis;  1887-89,  J.  B.  Santee; 
1890-92,  A.  D.  Decker;  1893-96,  1.  J.  Smith;  1897-1903,  A.  J. 
Cook. 


844 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  XVI 
WYOMmG  DISTRICT 

Alderson,  Pa. 

After  the  Conference  of  1888  the  to-be-developed  Harvey's 
Lake,  and  Kunkle,  which  was  taken  from  the  Dallas  charge,  were 
put  together  and  constituted  a  charge,  to  which  R.  P.  Christopher 
was  sent  as  supply.  There  was  no  organization  at  the  Lake  and  no 
place  for  holding  services.  The  first  preaching  service  was  at  the 
picnic  ground  on  the  north  end  of  the  Lake,  on  April  22,  1888. 
Services  were  held  there  for  several  weeks,  with  large  congrega- 
tions. Knowing  that  this  outdoor  work  would  be  temporary,  the 
pastor  secured  the  use  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  passenger  coaches 
which  lay  at  the  Lake  over  Sunday.  On  Sunday,  May  13,  1888, 
the  class  was  organized  in  car  No.  94,  with  thirteen  members,  of 
which  Alfred  Honeywell  was  made  the  leader.  On  the  same  Sun- 
day a  Sunday  school  was  organized  with  thirty  members.  Meet- 
ings were  held  in  the  cars  until  December  9,  1888,  when  the  so- 
ciety took  possession  of  a  building  built  as  a  schoolhouse  and  place 
of  worship.  This  was  accomplished  through  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
Albert  Lewis. 

"The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Alderson,  Luzerne  County, 
Pa.,"  was  incorporated  on  May  28,  1896,  with  George  E.  Morris, 
A.  V.  Honeywell,  Adam  StuU,  Arthur  L.  Stull,  and  G.  D.  Can- 
field  trustees. 

On  August  17,  1896,  Albert  Lewis  and  wife  Lillian  deeded  the 
society  a  lot  containing  about  one  half  acre  for  $300.  The  lot  was 
valued  at  $1,000.  On  August  23,  1896,  the  church,  which  had  cost 
$3,100,  was  dedicated.  Rev.  O.  J.  Cowles,  D.D.,  of  New  York, 
preached  morning  and  evening.  The  sum  of  $650  was  needed  and 
readily  raised.  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman,  D.D.,  conducted  the  dedicatory 
service  at  the  close  of  the  evening  sermon.  The  auditorium  seats 
two  hundred  and  fifty,  and  the  Sunday  school  room,  which  seats 
one  hundred,  may  be  opened  into  the  auditorium.  At  an  after- 
noon service  addresses  were  made  by  Revs.  J.  W.  Price  and  J.  G. 
Eckman,  several  adults  were  baptized,  and  a  number  received  into 
the  church. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1897  at  a  cost  of  $1,200. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  on  October  25,  1888. 


Ashley,  Pa. 


845 


Harvey's  Lake  appointment  appeared  in  the  Minutes  of  1889,  and 
its  present  name  was  assumed  in  1895. 

Kunkle  Methodism  began  about  1853,  when  the  Lehman  pastor 
began  holding  meetings  biweekly  at  the  home  of  Conrad  Kunkle. 
The  first  class  consisted  of  Conrad  Kunkle,  leader,  and  wife,  Henry 
King  and  wife,  John  King,  Mrs.  Steele,  and  Mrs.  John  Fisher. 
The  meetings  were  taken  from  Mr.  Kunkle's  home  to  the  school- 
house  where  they  were  continued  until  the  building  of  the  church. 

*'The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Kunkle"  was  incorporated 
on  October  29,  1887,  with  Samuel  R.  Hess,  John  D.  Isaacs,  Gordon 
C.  Boice,  O.  L.  Fisher,  and  James  P.  Fisher  trustees.  John  D. 
Isaacs  was  class  leader  ten  years  or  more  prior  to  his  death  in 
1897.  On  April  i,  1888,  Theodore  F.  Ryman  and  wife  Eliza  B. 
W.  P.  Ryman  and  wife  Charlotte  M.,  Ruth  E.  and  Leslie  Ryman 
deeded  the  society  a  lot  in  consideration  of  $1.  Prior  to  the  con- 
veying of  the  lot  the  church  had  been  built  at  a  cost  of  $1,300.  It 
was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  March  14,  1888,  by  Rev.  A.  H. 
Tuttle,  D.D.  The  church  was  repainted  and  a  bell  purchased  in 
1896. 

Kunkle  was  with  Lehman  a  while,  subsequently  with  Dallas, 
and  put  with  Harvey's  Lake  in  1889. 

Pastorates 

1888,  R.  P.  Christopher;  1889,  W.  E.  Vandermark,  J.  W.  Price 
(each  serving  part  of  the  year);  1890,  J.  W.  Price;  1891-94, 
J.  Benninger;  1895-99,  C.  B.  Henry;  1900-01,  H.  L.  Ellsworth; 
1902-03,  J.  C.  Leacock. 

Ashley,  Pa. 

Ashley  goes  into  history  as  the  place  of  many  names,  having 
been  called  Skunktown,  Hard  Scrabble,  Peestown,  Hightown, 
Newtown,  Hendricksburg,  Coalville,  Nanticoke  Junction,  and 
finally  Ashley,  when  by  petition  to  court  the  borough  of  Ashley 
was  created.  This  place  was  a  part  of  the  Hanover,  subsequently 
called  Newport,  Circuit  at  its  formation  in  1842.  (See  Askam.) 
At  that  time  it  was  called  the  Pees  neighborhood,  and  the  class  con- 
sisted of  Elijah  Richards,  leader,  and  wife  Louisa,  Samuel  and 
Lydia  Pees,  Thomas  and  Maria  Brown,  Joseph  and  Sarah  Barnes, 
Phoebe  and  Deborah  Williams,  Christian  Saums,  Hannah  Miller, 
and  Rachel  Crosby. 

In  1866  we  find  M.  Swallow  appointed  to  Newtown,  and  A.  D. 
Alexander  in  1867.  From  1868  to  1870  the  place  is  called  Hen- 
dricksburg, and  in  1871  Ashley  appears  in  the  Minutes. 


846 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  the  winter  of  1868-69  ^  revival  work  brought  "scores  of  the 
business  men  of  the  town  and  whole  families  to  God."  Early  in 
the  spring  of  1869  work  was  commenced  on  a  brick  church,  the  lot 
having  been  donated  to  the  society  by  the  Lehigh  and  Susque- 
hanna Coal  Company.  The  church,  which  cost  $9,500,  was  dedi- 
cated on  November  11,  1869.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preached  in  the 
morning  from  Matt,  v,  16,  and  Rev.  George  Peck,  D.D.,  in  the 
evening  from  Eccles.  v,  1,2. 

From  1866  to  1868  some  adjacent  places  were  with  this  society, 
but  in  1869  it  was  alone. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1870,  costing  $3,000,  and  on  Novem- 


ASHLEY  CHURCH 


ber  2  it  was  dedicated,  a  district  meeting  being  held  there  at  the 
time. 

In  1872  Mr.  J.  C.  Wells,  in  memory  of  his  deceased  wife,  Jane 
Fellows  Wells,  presented  the  church  with  its  bell. 

In  1 88 1  $1,200  was  raised  to  free  the  society  from  debt. 

After  an  expenditure  of  $2,800  in  new  windows,  lighting,  heat- 
ing, and  other  improvements  the  church  was  reopened  on  Septem- 
ber 26,  1884.  Rev.  A.  Griffin  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
J.  G.  Eckman  at  night.  In  1890  the  Sunday  school  room  in  the 
rear  of  the  church  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $1,600.  On  August  15, 
1891,  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  front  was  laid  by  Rev.  M.  S. 
Hard,  D.D.,  assisted  by  several  former  pastors.  After  an  expend- 
iture of  $6,000  in  building  the  new  front,  refitting  and  furnishing 
the  auditorium  and  Sunday  school  room,  the  building  was  reopened 
on  Sunday,  January  31,  1892.  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D.,  preached 


AsKAM,  Pa. 


847 


in  the  morning  and  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  in  the  evening.  The 
sum  of  $1,500  was  asked,  and  $2,881.75  was  raised  during  the  day. 

Mr.  J.  C.  Wells  led  the  choir  of  this  church  over  thirty-two 
years. 

Pastorates 

1866,  M.  Swallow;  1867-69,  A.  D.  Alexander;  1870-71,  A.  C. 
Bowdish;  1872,  J.  G.  Eckman;  1873-74,  J.  F.  Wilbur;  1875-76, 
W.  S.  Wentz;  1877-79,  Jonas  Underwood;  1880-82,  J.  F.  Warner; 
1883-85,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1886-88,  John  Bradshaw;  1889-91,  W.  M. 
Hiller;  1892-95,  J.  B.  Sweet;  1896-99,  S.  Jay,  1900,  H.  H.  Dresser; 
1901,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft;  1902-03,  H.  L.  Ellsworth. 

AsKAM,  Pa. 

As  Askam  is  the  remnant  of  the  Newport  Circuit  we  give  here 
some  facts  concerning  it.   Rev.  J.  K.  Peck  said : 

"The  circuit  and  society  were  formed  in  the  last  century  [writ- 
ing in  1897],  I  think  in  1793.  In  1788  Anning  Owen  organized  a 
class  on  Ross  Hill,  near  Kingston,  another  class  in  Hanover,  on  the 
green,  and  another  on  Ruggles  or  Hoover  Hill.  These  were  the 
pioneer  classes  of  the  whole  of  the  old  Genesee  Conference.  The 
Hanover  and  Hoover  Hill  classes  are  still  existent,  and  were  a 
part  of  the  Newport  Circuit.  They  built  a  small  meetinghouse  on 
Hanover  Green,  and  the  first  traveling  Methodist  preacher,  Wil- 
liam Colbert,  preached  in  it  on  May  19,  1793.  Until  this  meeting- 
house was  under  roof  the  society  had  worshiped  in  private  houses 
and  once  in  a  gristmill.  There  were  then  no  other  churches  of 
any  denomination  between  Baltimore  and  the  North  Pole.  So 
Hanover  was  the  first  church  of  all  in  this  territory.  It  stood  as 
the  mother  of  all  for  half  a  century,  and  was  seen  by  my  uncle, 
George  Peck,  in  1818.  I  saw  the  outlines  of  the  foundation,  in 
1887,  pointed  out  to  me  by  Abner  Hendershot,  an  aged  man,  who 
remembered  a  Sunday  school  in  it  when  he  was  a  small  boy.  The 
churches  now  standing  as  historical  relics  were  built  after  this 
one,  the  old  Forty  Fort  church  having  been  built  fourteen  years 
after  this  one.  The  old  structure  was  never  rebuilt.  Bishop 
Asbury  preached  in  it  w^hen  it  was  new,  and  just  fifty  years  later, 
in  1853,  I  was  sent  to  Newport  Circuit.  Hanover  Green  and 
Hoover  Hill  were  regular  appointments  of  mine,  and  not  one 
Methodist  church  had  been  erected  on  that  circuit  during  all  that 
half  century.  The  charge  was  my  first  in  the  Conference,  and  I 
preached  in  eight  schoolhouses  and  one  Presbyterian  church  in 
Newtown  (Ashley).    I  remained  only  one  year,  and  during  the 


848 


Wyoming  Conference 


year  I  was  ordered  by  the  school  officers  to  vacate  the  school- 
houses.  I  commenced  to  build  a  church,  and  had  it  nearly  done 
when  I  left  for  Conference.  I  laid  plans  to  build  another,  when 
one  of  the  lawyers  in  Wilkes-Barre  told  me  to  go  into  the  school- 
house  and  preach,  whether  the  doors  were  locked  or  not.  He  drove 
the  school  directors  out  of  his  office  when  they  went  to  consult  him 
as  to  locking  the  schoolhouses  against  us.  He  told  me  if  I  had 
any  legal  trouble  I  should  come  to  him  and  he  would  defend  me 
for  no  fee.  He  was  E.  B.  Harvey,  a  teacher  in  Wyoming  Semi- 
nary when  I  was  a  student  there.   I  had  an  appointment  at  Hoover 


ASKAM  CHURCH 


Hill  one  Sunday  evening,  when  a  large  congregation  gathered  and 
found  the  door  locked.  A  man  named  Fisher  loosened  a  window 
and  put  a  boy  inside,  who  pushed  the  bolt  and  opened  the  door. 
When  I  arrived  the  congregation  was  seated  inside,  and  I  preached 
my  sermon.   That  was  the  last  of  the  locking  out. 

"I  went  on  with  the  church  building,  procured  the  deed,  wrote 
it  myself,  got  the  owner  and  his  wife  to  sign  it,  and  recorded  it  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  it  holds  the  coal  under  it  yet.  It  is  the  Wan- 
amie  church. 

"The  people  of  the  circuit  had  been  supplied  from  Wilkes-Barre 
nearly  fifty  years  from  the  time  that  Colbert,  Asbury,  Owen,  and 


AsKAM,  Pa. 


849 


Cook  founded  the  classes.  Uncle  George  preached  on  Hoover 
Hill  when  I  was  a  young  man,  and  stationed  in  Wyoming,  as  long 
ago  as  1818.  I  heard  David  A.  Shepard  preach  on  the  Green  in 
1845.  I  was  not  a  preacher  then,  but  marched  with  the  soldiers 
and  carried  a  musket,  and  fired  shots  over  the  grave  of  the  de- 
ceased, because  he  was  a  soldier  and  fought  in  the  Wyoming 
battle  and  escaped  the  massacre.  He  was  the  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Safford,  whom  you  know. 

''When  I  was  preaching  on  the  charge  Priscilla  Lee  was  one 
of  my  members.  She  afterward  became  the  wife  of  Hon.  Ziba 
Bennett,  and  was  one  of  the  noblest  of  all  noble  women  in  the 
whole  country. 

"Three  men  who  are  immortal  in  history  escaped  the  massacre 
and  settled  on  that  charge,  built  houses  and  reared  their  families — 
Richard  Inman,  in  whose  house  Asbury  preached.  He  it  was  who 
shot  the  Indian,  in  the  deathly  pursuit  on  the  bloody  day,  and 
saved  the  life  of  Rufus  Bennett.  Rufus  Bennett  settled  there  and 
built  his  log  house,  which  is  still  standing  with  its  logs  and  stone 
chimney  and  hearthstone.  It  stood  when  I  was  on  the  charge  last 
within  a  dozen  rods  of  my  residence.  Blackman,  Inman,  and 
Bennett  died  and  left  their  descendants  on  the  soil  of  Hanover." 

This  circuit  included  Peestown,  Hoover  Hill,  Hanover,  Nanti- 
coke,  Lutzville,  Mountain  Top,  Alden,  Wanamie,  and  Glen  Lyon. 
It  was  first  supplied  from  Wyoming  Circuit  and  subsequently  was 
with  Wilkes-Barre  as  Newport  Mission,  receiving  aid  from  the 
Missionary  Society  until  1853. 

Another  writer  says  that  Anning  Owen  formed  the  class  at 
Hanover  Green  in  1790.  The  class  included  Ashbel  and  Joseph 
Waller,  John  How,  Abram  Adams,  with  a  number  of  women. 
Ashbel  Waller  was  the  first  class  leader,  and  subsequently  became 
a  local  preacher. 

Another  historian  records  the  following:  Askam  used  to  be 
known  as  Hanover  Center.  The  society  was  organized  in  1820, 
in  an  old  log  schoolhouse  on  Hoover  Hill,  on  the  Middle  road,  a 
little  northwest  of  Plumbton.  The  first  class  leader  was  Nathan 
Carey,  and  the  early  members  of  the  class  were  Sarah  Carey, 
Sally  Bennett,  Harvey  and  Celestia  Holcomb,  Elsie  and  William 
Askam,  Catharine,  Angeline,  and  Lorenzo  Ruggles,  Sarah  Black- 
man,  Ruth  Ann  Eggleston,  Sarah  Downing,  Elisha  Blackman, 
Lovinia  Smiley,  Mary  Ann  Carey,  Joseph,  Sarah,  and  Margaret 
Steele,  Elizabeth  and  Joseph  Inman,  and  Lucinda  Marcy. 

In  1861  the  society  built  a  wooden  church  28x36,  costing  $500. 

The  site  for  the  present  church  was  a  gift  to  the  society.  The 

54 


850 


Wyoming  Conference 


church,  which  cost  $4,000,  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Foss  on  April 
4,  1889,  nearly  one  hundred  years  after  the  dedication  of  the  first 
church  of  any  denomination  in  northeastern  Pennsylvania,  the  old 
Hanover  church.  The  building  was  extensively  repaired  in  1900, 
at  a  cost  of  $1,200. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1893,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 

Wanamie  was  with  Hanover,  or  Askam,  until  1886. 


SUGAR  NOTCH  CHURCH 


From  the  opening  of  the  Sugar  Notch  mines  in  i860  there  was 
occasional  preaching  by  Methodist  preachers  in  the  schoolhouse 
until  1878,  when  the  Ashley  pastor  formed  a  class  with  William 
Vance  and  Thomas  Frisk  as  leaders.  The  class  included  Mrs. 
Vance,  Mrs.  H.  Floyd,  Mrs.  L  Hoskins,  George  Lewis  and  wife, 
Noah  Pursell  and  wife,  John  Fowler  and  wife,  William  Carpenter 
and  wife,  William  Reese  and  wife,  James  Thomas  and  wife, 
William  Netherton  and  wife,  Thomas  Fulton,  and  Earnest  Floyd. 
Public  services  were  held  in  the  hall  over  Conyngham's  store. 

The  society  was  with  Ashley,  subsequently  with  Mountain  Top, 
and  in  1886  became  a  part  of  Askam  charge. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  given  the  society,  and  the  church, 
which  cost  $4,000,  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Foss  on  June  7,  1889. 

Pastorates 

Hanover:  1842,  Epenetus  Owen;  1843,  Thomas  Wilcox. 

Newport  Mission  (the  circuit)  :  1846,  G.  B.  Cooper;  1847,  J- 
Safiford;  1848,  T.  D.  Walker;  1849,  Z.  S.  Kellogg;  1850-52,  O.  F. 
Morse;  1853,  J-  K.  Peck;  1854-55,  F.  Illman;  1856-57,  Erastus 


AvocA,  Pa. 


851 


Smith;  1858,  Melville  Smith;  1859-60,  W.  Keatley ;  1861,  J.  La 
Bar;  1862-63,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft ;  1864-65,  M.  Swallow  ;  1866,  George 
Pritchett;  1867-68,  R.  Hiorns;  1869,  ^-  Martin;  1870-71, 
F.  A.  King;  1872,  J.  Madison;  1873,  J.  H.  Paddock. 

Hanover  until  1889,  when  it  took  the  name  of  Askam:  1874-76, 
J.  R.  Wagner;  1877-78,  F.  A.  Dony;  1879-80,  J.  B.  Davis;  1881- 
82,  P.  Hoiick;  1883-85,  Jonas  Underwood;  1886-89,  J-  K.  Peck; 
1890-91,  L.  E.  Van  Hoesen ;  1892,  A.  Schofield ;  1893-94,  F.  N. 
Smith;  1895-96,  W.  S.  Wilcox;  1897-99,  N.  J.  Hawley;  1900-02, 
J.  R.  Wagner ;  1903,  J.  N.  Bailey. 

AvocA,  Pa. 

Avoca  formerly  called  Pleasant  Valley,  was  an  afternoon  ap- 
pointment on  the  Lackawanna  charge  a  few  years  before  it  be- 
came a  charge  in  1880,  when  the  charge  was  called  Pleasant  Valley 
and  Hitghestown. 

A  chapel  was  built  in  Pleasant  Valley  in  1878  and  dedicated  on 
December  8,  1878,  by  Rev.  A.  Griffin.    About  the  same  time  a 


AVOCA  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


chapel  was  built  at  Hughestown.  This  was  disposed  of  in  1881, 
and  Pleasant  Valley  constituted  the  charge.  The  name  was 
changed  to  Avoca  in  1889. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1881,  costing  $900. 

In  1890  the  church  was  enlarged  to  35x56  feet  utilizing  the 
old  chapel  in  the  new  building.  The  audience  room  seats  three 
hundred  and  sixty  and  has  a  gallery  which  seats  one  hundred.  A 
steam-heating  plant  was  installed  which  heats  both  church  and 


852 


Wyoming  Conference 


parsonage.  These  with  other  improvements  cost  $2,600,  $1,600 
of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  reopening,  May  8,  1890.  Rev. 
W.  L.  Philhps,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  R. 
Angel  in  the  evening,  after  a  praise  service  conducted  by  Rev. 
W.  B.  Westlake.  In  1895  a  bell  was  purchased  and  flagstone 
walks  laid.  In  1903  $725  was  expended  in  a  steel  ceiling,  decora- 
ting, new  carpets,  and  the  installation  of  electric  lights. 

'The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Pleasant  Valley  and 
Hughestown"  was  incorporated  on  June  12,  1880,  with  George  W. 
Shales,  Courtland  E.  Rolles,  William  H.  HoUister,  Henry  Chap- 
man, Charles  W.  IMattheson,  Charles  Hine,  and  Jacob  W.  Welter 
trustees.  On  March  24,  1882,  R.  W.  Lacoe,  Jeremiah  B.  Shiffer 
and  wife  Almeda  B.  deeded  the  society,  for  $150,  the  lot  upon 
which  the  chapel  and  parsonage  were  built. 

Most  of  the  pastors  have  seen  accessions  by  revival  work.  How- 
ever, the  revival  of  1888-89,  which  over  one  hundred  were  con- 
verted, is  the  most  extensive  revival  in  the  history  of  the  church. 

Pastorates 

1880-81,  C.  H.  Sackett;  1882-83,  G.  C.  Lewis;  1884-85,  W.  W. 
Smith;  1886,  E.  L.  Santee;  1887,  S.  Elwell;  1888-92,  F.  P.  Dotv; 
1893-94,  G.  T.  Price;  1895,  J.  R.  Wagner;  1896-98,  L.  E.  Van 
Hoesen;  1899-1901,  R.  M.  Pascoe;  1902-03,  D.  L.  McDonald. 

Carverton,  Pa. 

Documentary  evidence  concerning  this  charge  is  somewhat 
meager.  This  territory  was  first  in  the  Northmoreland  Circuit, 
then  in  the  Lehman  Circuit,  subsequently  in  the  Truxville  Circuit, 
which  included  the  territory  now  in  Carverton,  Dallas,  Truxville, 
and  part  of  Northmoreland. 

*Tn  1799  a  class  of  forty  members  was  organized  at  this  place 
[Harris  Hill].  Prior  to  this,  however,  Gilbert  Carpenter,  an 
earnest  and  successful  local  preacher,  had  a  regular  appointment 
here.  David  Stevens  was  the  first  traveling  preacher  to  visit  the 
place.  Charles  Harris,  'Father  Harris,'  was  one  of  the  first  fruits 
of  Methodism  in  this  place.  He  lived  to  be  over  ninety  years  of 
age,  a  happy,  highly  respected,  and  greatly  loved  old  man." 

The  church  at  Carverton  was  built  in  1854,  upon  a  piece  of 
land  containing  forty  perches,  deeded  to  the  society  by  Rufus 
Carver  and  wife  Nancy  in  consideration  of  $25.  The  trustees  at 
the  time  were  Samuel  C.  Durland,  Hiram  Harris,  Elisha  Harris, 
Jacob  Heft,  George  Frantz,  Solomon  Frantz,  William  Frantz, 


Carverton,  Pa. 


853 


David  A.  Reeve,  and  Samuel  Jackson.  On  April  7,  i860,  Rufiis 
Carver  and  wife  deeded  the  society  ninety-four  perches  of  land 
for  $25.  A  parsonage  was  built  on  this  lot  the  same  season,  cost- 
ing $900,  which  was  rebuilt  in  1883  at  an  expense  of  $500. 

*The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Carverton"  became  in- 
corporated on  November  i,  1866,  with  Horatio  Mulford,  John 
Hay,  David  Reeves,  Samuel  Honeywell,  George  Frantz,  Miller 
Montanye,  and  Samuel  Jackson  as  trustees. 

Mount  Zion  church  is  in  Exeter  township.  This  society  was 
formed  from  parts  of  two  societies  or  classes,  Sutton's  Creek  and 
the  Old  Red  Schoolhouse  district.  The  first  class  leader  and 
Sunday  school  superintendent  was  Levi  C.  Lewis.  The  society 
worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse  at  Mount  Zion  until  the  building 
of  the  church  in  1851.  On  January  25,  1851,  Valentine  De  Witt 
deeded  the  trustees,  Levi  C.  Lewis,  Isaac  Stephens,  and  Eri  Wil- 
son, the  site,  containing  forty-nine  perches,  for  $1.  The  corporate 
name  of  the  society  is  ''Trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  Exeter."  On  February  19  of  the  same  year  the  trustees 
entered  into  a  contract  with  Levi  C.  Lewis  to  build  a  church  ''in 
as  good  a  style  as  the  Truxville  meetinghouse."  The  building  was 
finished  November  i,  and  cost  about  $1,000.  It  was  dedicated  by 
Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard.  The  amount  was  pledged  in  subscriptions, 
and  the  contractor  took  the  pledges  in  settlement. 

Orange.  That  Methodism  began  here  at  an  early  date  may  be 
seen  from  the  following:  On  May  10,  1837,  Almanzo  Rogers 
and  wife  Sarah,  in  consideration  of  $1,  deeded  to  Oliver  Lewis, 
Benjamin  Chandler,  John  C.  Winters,  Henry  Isakwish,  Almanzo 
Rogers,  and  Daniel  Bodle,  "trustees  of  the  Union  meetinghouse  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  forty-two  perches  of  land 
"south  of  the  meetinghouse."  This  lot  was  for  a  cemetery.  In 
April,  1839,  twenty-five  rods  more  were  purchased  of  Mr.  Rogers 
for  $2,  and  on  December  16,  1882,  a  strip  fourteen  feet  wide 
adjoining  the  above  was  purchased  of  William  Heisler  for  $1. 

The  present  church  is  located  in  the  center  of  the  village,  on  a 
lot  adjoining  the  store  and  post  office.  The  corner  stone  was  laid 
on  June  i,  1893,  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman.  The  church,  which  cost 
$3,200,  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  December  27,  1893.  Rev. 
J.  R.  Boyle,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  F.  Williams 
in  the  afternoon.  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  managed  the  finances  and 
conducted  the  dedicatory  services.  During  the  day  $980  was 
raised.  At  the  time  this  church  was  built  the  society  purposed  sell- 
ing the  old  church  and  lot  and  using  the  proceeds  in  building  sheds. 


854 


Wyoming  Conference 


This  society  was  once  called  Union  and  was  a  part  of  North- 
moreland  Circuit  until  1872,  when  it  became  a  part  of  Carverton 
charge. 

Extensive  revivals  occurred  in  1873-74,  1879-80,  1881-82, 
1885-87. 

Pastorates 

i860,  C.  L.  Rice;  1861-62,  J.  W.  Hunger;  1863,  Y.  C.  Smith; 
1864-65,  A.  J.  Van  Cleft ;  1866-68,  J.  La  Bar ;  1869-71,  J.  Madison ; 
1872-74,  Isaac  Austin;  1875-77,  S.  Elwell;  1878-80,  F.  A.  King; 
1881-82,  G.  C.  Lyman;  1883-84,  D.  A.  Sanford ;  1885-87,  C.  H. 
Sackett;  1888-89,  H.  G.  Harned ;  1890-93,  L.  C.  Murdock;  1894- 
97,  A.  Wrigley;  1898-1902,  Clark  Callendar;  1903,  C.  E.  Sweet. 

Centermoreland,  Pa. 

The  territory  of  this  charge  was  reached  by  the  preachers  of 
Wyoming  as  early  as  1818.  "The  class  at  Centermoreland  was 
organized  before  1820,  and  included  members  of  the  Brown,  Pace, 
Hallstead,  Vincent,  Snyder,  and  Weld  families.  The  class  met 
for  some  time  at  the  homes  of  different  members,  and  the  preach- 
ing services  were  usually  held  during  the  week.  The  first  Sunday 
service  was  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Pace  in  1819.  The  first  church 
was  built  and  dedicated  in  1829."  It  became  too  small  and  was 
sold  and  removed,  and  is  now  used  as  one  of  the  public  school- 
rooms for  primary  work.  The  present  church  was  dedicated  on 
Thursday,  February  17,  1870,  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead  preaching  in 
the  morning  and  the  Rev.  George  Landon  in  the  evening.  The 
building  cost  $3,000,  $1,000  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day  of 
dedication.  Prominent  among  the  workers  at  this  time  were  Levi 
Howell,  Theodore  Smith,  S.  G.  Smith,  George  Perrin,  Joshua 
Griffin,  and  William  Thompson.  In  1889  $500  was  expended  in 
building  a  tower,  purchasing  a  bell,  and  painting  the  church,  and 
in  1896  $650  was  spent  in  building  and  fitting  up  the  basement. 

The  parsonage  property  was  purchased  in  1840,  and  comprised 
quite  a  number  of  acres.  Land  has  been  sold  ofif  so  that  now  there 
are  about  two  acres  in  the  parsonage  property.  The  parsonage 
burned  in  i860,  and  a  new  one  was  built  in  186 1.  In  1899  $250 
was  spent  in  repairing  it. 

This  charge  was  known  as  Northmoreland  from  its  formation 
in  1 84 1  until  1890,  when  its  name  was  changed  to  Centermoreland. 
Mrs.  J.  D.  Safiford,  whose  husband  was  one  of  the  preachers  on 
the  circuit  in  1848,  says :  "Northmoreland  Circuit  included  all 
the  charges  from  Union  to  Tunkhannock,  twenty-two  appoint- 


Centermoreland,  Pa. 


855 


ments,  one  hundred  miles  around  the  circuit.  I  only  saw  him 
[her  husband]  one  day  each  month  unless  I  went  along.  So  we 
almost  lived  in  our  carriage.  He  used  to  say,  'This  is  all  the 
home  we've  got,  and  it's  all  the  home  we  want  in  this  world.'  " 
In  i860  the  circuit  comprised  Northmoreland,  Union  (Orange), 
Eaton,  Thurston  Hollow,  Dymond  Hollow,  Green  Woods,  Monroe 
(Beaumont),  Phenix,  Marsh  Creek,  and  Bowman's  Creek.  Sub- 
sequently classes  were  formed  at  Michigan  and  Lake.  In  1872 
the  Union  class  was  transferred  to  Carverton,  and  in  1882  Thurs- 
ton Hollow  to  Eaton.  In  1892  Noxen  was  taken  up,  and  later 
Stull  and  Exeter,  and  in  1896  De  Munds.  The  charge  now  has 
the  following  appointments  :  Centermoreland,  Beaumont,  Vernon, 
Dymond  Hollow  (Lockville),  and  De  Munds. 

Dymond  Hollow  is  located  in  the  town  of  Exeter.  It  is  claimed 
that  the  itinerant  preacher  found  his  way  to  this  place  as  early  as 
1800.  It  is  very  probable  that  work  was  commenced  here  about 
the  same  time  it  was  at  Centermoreland.  Joseph  Whitlock,  an 
old  settler,  was  the  first  class  leader,  and  meetings  were  held  in 
his  house. 

After  the  schoolhouse  was  built  the  services  were  transferred  to 
it.  The  coming  of  some  Protestant  Methodists  into  the  neigh- 
borhood created  an  amount  of  friction,  which  led,  at  last,  to  the 
erection  of  a  church  by  the  Episcopal  Methodists  in  1835.  The 
present  church  was  built  in  1869,  and  dedicated  on  Saturday, 
November  27,  of  that  year,  by  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead.  Andrew 
Montanye,  Enoch  Whitlock,  and  John  Dymond  constituted  the 
building  committee. 

Beaumont.  The  class  at  this  point  owns  a  quarter  share  in  the 
Union  church.  Notwithstanding  this  fact,  the  society  purchased 
the  present  church  lot  in  1866.  O.  C.  Orcutt,  S.  J.  Clark,  Amos 
Jackson,  Elijah  Lewis,  Will  Carle,  W.  F.  Clark,  E.  W.  Parrish, 
Abram  Frear,  S.  J.  Howell,  and  J.  W.  Brown  being  prime  movers 
in  the  project.  This  lot  lay  idle  until  the  building  of  the  church, 
which  cost  $1,600.  It  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  May  28,  1893, 
Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  F. 
Williams  in  the  evening.  Between  two  and  three  hundred  dollars 
was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication. 

Vernon.  This  class  was  formed  before  i860,  and  was  called 
Green  Woods.  Meetings  were  first  held  here  by  a  local  preacher, 
Samuel  Harrison.  William  Moore  was  the  first  class  leader.  The 
society  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse  until  the  church  was  built 


856 


WyomiN'o.  Conference 


in  1874-75.  The  church  cost  $2,500,  and  was  dedicated  on 
Wednesday,  January  13,  1875.  Rev.  J.  K.  Peck  preached  in  the 
morning  and  Rev.  Luther  Peck  in  the  evening,  $800  being  raised 
during  the  day.  Prominent  among  the  promoters  of  the  enter- 
prise were  Thomas  Pinder,  Jacob  Weaver,  George  Waters,  and 
Henry  Webb. 

De  Munds  was  once  on  the  Carverton  charge,  but  was  dropped 
in  1882.  Meetings  were  held  here  by  the  Protestant  and  Free 
Methodists,  but  no  class  formed  by  either.  In  1896  the  Center- 
moreland  pastor  organized  a  class  here,  which  gives  promise  of 
great  usefulness.   Services  are  held  in  the  schoolhouse. 

In  1887  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  conversions  occurred  on 
the  circuit.  Other  ingatherings  have  been  experienced,  but  this 
was  the  most  extensive. 

Pastorates 

1841,  King  Elwell;  1842,  J.  O.  Boswell;  1843,  J-  O.  Boswell, 
Lewis  Brown;  1844,  John  Mulkey,  J.  B.  Cooper;  1845,  John 

Mulkey,  George  P.  Porter;  1846,   ;  1847,  E.  Smith;  1848, 

J.  Young,  J.  D.  Safiford;  1849,  C.  E.  Taylor;  1850,  C.  E.  Taylor, 
F.  S.  Chubbuck;  1851,  A.  Bronson,  A.  H.  Schoonmaker,  O.  F. 
Morse;  1852,  S.  Wells;  1853,  F-  S.  Chubbuck;  1854,  C.  L.  Rice, 
S.  S.  Kennedy;  1855,  C.  L.  Rice;  1856-57,  J.  La  Bar;  1858,  D. 
Personeus;  1859-60,  P.  Holbrook;  1861-62,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1863, 

T.  D.  Swartz;  1864,   ;  1865,  J.  G.  Eckman;  1866,  Isaac 

Austin;  1867-68,  George  Greenfield;  1869-71,  A.  J.  Arnold;  1872- 
74,  S.  E.  Walworth;  1875-77,  W.  Shelp;  1878-79,  Isaac  Austin; 
1880-81,  W.  Keatley;  1882-83,  W.  H.  Gavitt;  1884,  R.  J.  Kellogg; 
1885-86,  J.  B.  Santee;  1887-89,  G.  F.  Ace;  1890-91,  J.  R.  Allen; 
1892-93,  W.  R.  Cochrane;  1894-96,  J.  W.  Price;  1897-98,  J.  N. 
Bailey;  1899-1903,  Frank  James. 

Clark's  Summit,  Pa. 

During  the  summer  of  1890  a  Sunday  school  was  organized  at 
Clark's  Summit,  the  first  record  of  which  bears  date  of  September 
7,  1890,  and  gives  the  election  of  Mrs.  Belle  Perkins,  superintend- 
ent; Asa  Nichols,  assistant  superintendent;  Charles  Singer 
secretary;  Mrs.  Etta  Beemer,  organist;  Miss  Lydia  Perkins, 
assistant ;  and  Mrs.  Ellen  King,  treasurer.  There  were  six  classes 
and  a  total  attendance  of  forty-one.  The  school  was  held  in  the 
reading  room  of  the  hotel,  the  building  not  being  in  use  at  that 
time.    During  the  following  winter  preaching  services  were  held 


Clark's  Summit,  Pa. 


857 


in  the  same  room  by  the  Waverly  pastor.  The  place  then  became 
a  part  of  Waverly  charge  and  continued  until  Clark's  Summit 
charge  was  formed  in  1896.  The  school  and  church  services  were 
taken  into  the  annex,  known  as  the  ballroom,  permission  being 
given  to  partition  off  a  portion  of  this  room  and  use  it  for  religious 
work.  The  school  grew  until  in  December,  1891,  it  had  one  hun- 
dred and  five  members.    Preaching  services  were  held  on  Sun- 


clark's  summit  church 


day  afternoons,  the  Methodist  and  Baptist  pastors  of  Waverly 
alternating. 

The  necessity  of  a  church  building  soon  became  apparent.  A 
meeting  was  held  on  September  8,  18*91.  However,  some  work 
had  been  done  prior  to  the  meeting.  M.  E.  Clifford  presided  and 
George  Ludlow  acted  as  clerk.  Through  the  pastor  lot  157  on 
Patrick  and  Powell's  plot  was  given  to  the  society  for  $1  by  B.  F. 
Evans,  through  his  attorney  in  fact,  H.  N.  Patrick.  The  gift  was 
gladly  accepted.  M.  M.  Hufford  was  asked  to  submit  plans  for  a 
building  to  cost  from  $800  to  $1,200.  At  a  meeting  held  on  Sep- 
tember 22  W.  M.  Atherton  was  elected  treasurer,  a  plan  for  the 
building  selected,  and  a  resolution  passed  to  build  at  once,  pur- 
chasing the  lumber  of  M.  M.  Hufford.    As  a  number  desired  to 


858 


Wyoming  Conference 


contribute  labor,  the  building  was  erected  by  days'  work  under 
the  supervision  of  Mr.  Hufford.  The  church  cost  $1,272,  and 
was  dedicated  on  January  14,  1892.  Rev.  Mr.  Perry,  of  the 
Baptist  church,  preached  in  the  afternoon,  and  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard, 
D.D.,  in  the  evening.  A  total  of  $204  was  raised  during  the  day. 
The  dedication  was  followed  by  a  revival  which  greatly  strength- 
ened the  society. 

On  November  28,  1892,  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  purchased  a 
lot  adjoining  the  church  lot  of  B.  F.  Evans  for  $115.  Church 
sheds  were  built  upon  this  lot  costing  $125. 

The  society  became  incorporated  as  'The  Clark's  Summit 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church"  on  January  2,  1893,  with  M.  E. 
Clifford,  Sylvester  H.  Isby,  George  L.  Coon,  John  B.  Riker,  and 
William  Atherton  trustees. 

The  society  grew  so  that  in  1894  the  church  was  too  small.  On 
September  6,  1894,  two  lots  directly  opposite  the  church  were 
purchased  for  $275.  The  corner  stone  for  the  present  church  was 
laid  on  Thursday,  October  11,  1894,  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman.  The 
church,  which  cost  $4,791,  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  March  14, 
1895.  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning,  and 
Rev.  J.  W.  Webb,  D.D.,  in  the  evening.  After  the  evening  sermon 
Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  conducted  the  dedicatory  services.  During  tlie 
day  $3,000  was  raised. 

On  December  3,  1898,  a  contract  was  made  for  $1,297  to  move 
the  sheds  from  the  old  lot  to  the  new  one  and  to  transform  the  old 
church  into  a  parsonage,  ready  for  occupancy  by  April  i,  1899. 

Chinchilla.  The  first  Methodist  sermon  preached  in  Abington 
township  was  delivered  by  Rev.  George  Peck,  in  the  house  of 
Ephraim  Leach,  in  1818.  The  members  of  the  first  class  were 
Gideon  Ellis  and  wife,  James  Ross  and  wife,  Ephraim  Leach  and 
wife,  John  Weiss  and  wife,  and  David  Silsbee. 

Preaching  was  had  at  irregular  intervals  in  the  house  of 
Ephraim  Leach,  which  stood  about  thirty  rods  south  of  the  spot 
now  occupied  by  the  church.  Later  the  services  were  held  in  the 
schoolhouse,  known  as  the  Leach's  Flats  schoolhouse.  In  1865 
this  society  was  attached  to  the  Clark's  Green  charge,  and  so  re- 
mained until  1878,  when  it  became  a  part  of  Waverly  charge,  and" 
when  Clark's  Summit  charge  was  formed  it  became  a  part  of  that 
charge. 

The  church  was  built  in  1868,  costing  from  $1,200  to  $1,500. 
The  sum  of  $1,150  was  paid  in  cash,  and  in  addition  to  this  Giles 
Leach  gave  al]  the  hemlock  lumber.    The  church  was  dedicated 


COURTDALE,  Pa. 


859 


in  1868  by  Rev.  George  Peck.  The  promoters  of  the  enterprise 
were  Giles  Leach,  James  Kiersted,  Egbert  Snyder,  Charles  Gernon, 
Norman  Leach,  Isaac  Leach,  Nathan  Bailey,  and  Joseph  Leach. 

'The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Chinchilla"  became 
incorporated  on  October  21,  1889,  with  William  Streeter,  Ernest 
F.  Snyder,  and  Egbert  M.  Leach  trustees. 

Pastorates 

1896-98,  F.  W.  Young;  1899-1900,  C.  H.  Reynolds;  1901,  T.  R. 
Warnock ;  1902-03,  J.  S.  Custard. 

CoURTDALE,  Pa. 

The  class  at  Courtdale,  until  1898  called  Pringleville,  was  or- 
ganized in  1884  by  Rev.  William  Keatley,  services  being  held  in 
the  school  building,  the  only  convenient  place  available  for  public 
worship.  The  work  developed.  A  church  site  was  donated  by 
Mr.  George  Courtright,  and  by  the  help  of  generous  friends  out- 
side the  borough  a  church  was  built,  costing  about  $2,300.  It 
was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  February  5,  1888,  at  2  130  p.  m.  Rev. 
J.  G.  Eckman  preached,  and  Rev.  R.  W.  Van  Schoick  conducted 
the  dedicatory  service.  The  dedication  was  followed  by  a  good 
revival. 

The  lot  for  the  parsonage  was  contracted  for  on  July  30,  1894, 
and  on  January  4,  1898,  George  Courtright  deeded  the  lot  to  the 
Courtdale  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  $350.  The  trustees 
at  the  time  were  John  W.  Dodson,  S.  A.  Dodson,  James  Dodson, 
Frank  Hawley,  and  William  Courtright.  The  parsonage  was 
built  in  1899  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  In  1900  the  debt  of  $1,000  was 
reduced  to  $230,  and  $200  spent  in  furnishing  the  parsonage. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  an  important  factor  in  the 
church  work  here.  It  has  paid  heavily  on  the  pastor's  salary, 
bought  the  bell,  at  $82,  carpet,  which  cost  $70,  took  $200  toward 
building  the  church,  paid  $100  toward  the  parsonage  lot,  and 
several  minor  improvements  have  been  made  by  it. 

From  the  formation  of  the  class  until  1887  this  society  was  with 
Larksville,  and  from  1887  to  1898  it  was  served  by  students  from 
Wyoming  Seminary  as  follows :  1887-88,  R.  W.  Lowry ;  1889- 
90,  William  Smith;  1891-92,  E.  G.  Heal;  1893,  William  Keatley; 
1894,  E.  G.  Heal;  1895-97,  R.  H.  Reidy;  1898,  A.  H.  Whitaker. 
In  1899  Courtdale  and  Larksville  were  joined  together. 

Larksville.  It  is  difficult  to  get  at  the  beginnings  of  Methodism 
in  this  place.  .  The  class  was  at  one  time  a  part  of  Plymouth  Cir- 


86o 


Wyoming  Conference 


cuit.  Subsequently  it  is  claimed  to  have  been  supplied  by  a  trio 
of  Wyoming  Seminary  students — Roe,  Ramsay,  and  J.  F.  Wil- 
liams. The  first  church,  which  cost  about  $4,000,  was  dedicated 
in  February,  1872.  At  this  time  the  class  formed  a  part  of  Kings- 
ton charge.  The  burning  of  the  Kingston  church  on  February 
10,  1872,  forced  the  Kingston  people  to  withhold  the  support 
which  had  been  promised  to  the  Larksville  people.  The  little  class 
was  hopelessly  involved  in  debt  and  the  church  was  finally  sold  at 
slierifif's  sale  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Christian  denomination, 
who  now  occupy  it.  After  this  loss  the  society  held  services  in  the 
schoolhouse,  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  the  homes  of  the  people. 
In  1884,  Larksville  appears  among  the  appointments,  with  William 
Keatley  as  pastor.  The  society  was  encouraged,  and  in  1886  built 
the  present  church,  which  cost  $1,300.  and  in  1887  spent  $500  in 
improvements.  The  society  has  purchased  a  new  lot  and  work- 
has  been  begun  on  a  foundation  for  a  new  church. 

Larksville  was  supplied  largely  with  students  from  the  semi- 
nary until  Courtdale  charge  was  formed  in  1899,  when  Larksville 
became  a  part  of  it:  1884-86,  William  Keatley;  1887,  H.  L.  Ells- 
worth; 1888,  G.  E.  \^an  Woert ;  1889-90,  F.  X.  Smith;  1891-92, 
M.  \\  Williams;  1893,  B.  R.  Hanton ;  1894,  G.  N.  Underwood; 
1895,  W.  H.  Decker;  1896,  Floyd  Leach;  1897,  C.  L.  Hand; 
1898,  L  L.  Snyder. 

Pastorates 

1899,  E.  L.  Sabin;  1900-01,  G.  C.  Jacobs;  1902-03,  H.  A. 
Greene. 

Dallas,  Pa. 

Dallas  was  a  part  of  Wyoming  Circuit  in  1818,  and  the  following 
picture  is  of  the  Kunkle  house,  in  which  meetings  were  regularly 
held  in  those  days.  The  house  was  standing,  in  1896,  on  the  main 
road  from  Dallas  to  Xorthnioreland,  and  about  one  half  mile  from 
the  Dallas  church.  Philip  Kunkle  was  from  Connecticut,  and  was 
the  class  leader.  He  bore  the  reputation  of  a  saint.  Subsequently 
services  were  held  in  a  log  schoolhouse  situated  on  the  same  lot 
now  occupied  by  the  Dallas  schoolhouse.  About  1829  a  school- 
house  was  built  by  William  Honeywell  and  others  on  ground  later 
occupied  by  a  schoolhouse  known  as  the  Goss  schoolhouse,  on  the 
north  side  of  Dallas  borough.  After  this  schoolhouse  was  erected 
services  were  usually  held  in  it  by  both  Episcopal  and  Protestant 
Methodists. 

The  first  church  was  built  in  1854,  on  a  site  which  was  given 
the  society  by  Henry  King  and  wife  Margaret,  the  deed  being 


Dallas,  Pa.  86  i 

executed  on  November  i,  1854,  and  was  on  the  road  leading  from 
Dallas  to  Harvey's  Lake.  The  trustees  at  the  time  were  William 
Honeywell,  Abraham  Ryman,  Simon  Spencer,  Richard  S.  Ryman, 


KUNKLE  HOUSE,  DALLAS 


William  C.  Roushey,  Christian  Rice,  and  Jacob  Rice,  2d.  After 
the  building  of  the  present  church  this  property  was  sold  and  con- 
verted into  a  broom  factory.  It  is  now  called  "Sunset  Hall"  and 
rented  to  summer  boarders. 


DALLAS  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


The  present  church  was  built  in  1889,  and  was  dedicated  on 
June  5  of  that  year  by  Bishop  Foss.  It  is  situated  on  the  north 
side  of  the  village  on  the  brow  of  a  little  hill,  on  the  Bowman's 


862 


Wyoming  Conference 


Creek  road,  overlooking  the  village.  The  lot  was  bought  of  Mrs. 
Almira  Kirkendall  for  $700.  The  church  cost  $11,300.  Mrs. 
Lynd,  of  Scranton,  raised  $600  among  Scranton  friends  to  further 
the  project. 

In  1902  a  pipe  organ  was  purchased,  and  in  1903  $700  was  ex- 
pended in  improving  the  church  and  parsonage. 

The  first  parsonage  was  bought  in  1883  $1,800,  and  was  sit- 
uated next  to  the  public  school  building.  The  present  parsonage, 
beside  the  church,  was  built  in  1891  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  The  old 
parsonage  was  sold  and  proceeds  used  in  building  this  one. 

In  1890  the  society  raised  $1,650  to  liquidate  the  indebtedness 
on  the  church. 

This  society  was  first  on  the  Wyoming  Circuit,  and  subsequently 
on  the  Xorthmoreland  and  Carverton  Circuits,  and  was  on  the 
Lehman  Circuit  when  it  was  taken  off  in  1882  and  made  an 
appointment.  Kunkle  was  with  Dallas  prior  to  being  put  with 
Alderson. 

Pastorates 

1882,  E.  L.  Santee;  1883-84,  G.  C.  Lyman;  1885-87,  S.  J. 
Austin;  1888-89,  F.  Gendall ;  1890,  J.  B.  Cook;  1891-92,  Jonas 
Underwood;.  1893,  J.  F.  Williams;  1894-97,  W.  B.  Westlake; 
1898,  G.  T.  Price;  1899-1902,  F.  W.  Young;  1903,  David  Evans. 
W.  B.  Westlake  died  in  the  fall  of  1897,  and  the  year  was  filled 
out  by  G.  C.  Lyman. 

DORRANCETON,  Pa. 

Dorranceton  society  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  Sunday  school  work 
which  was  organized  in  1890.  The  use  of  the  public  school  build- 
ing was  granted  for  Friday  nights  and  Sundays,  but  no  revival 
services  were  to  be  held.  Mr.  Noah  Pettebone  was  the  first  su- 
perintendent. In  1 89 1  the  school  was  taken  to  a  newly  constructed 
hall  over  Vaughn's  store,  where  the  school  remained  until  going 
into  the  church.  The  school  was  a  union  school  for  some  time, 
other  denominations  being  recognized  in  the  election  of  officers. 
While  in  the  school  building  and  hall  preaching  services  were 
held,  and  at  one  time  a  plan  was  outlined  by  which  various  sur- 
rounding ^lethodists  and  Presbyterian  pastors  officiated.  During 
these  years  the  Methodists  held  cottage  prayer  meetings,  and  the 
Methodist  element  in  the  community  gradually  strengthened. 

About  1893  the  official  board  of  the  Kingston  ^lethodist  Epis- 
copal Church  began  canvassing  the  advisability  of  buying  a  lot  at 
Dorranceton  and  fathering  a  church  project.  Shortly  after  this 
Mrs.  Van  Loon,  of  Kingston,  offered  to  give  $1,000  toward  build- 


Eaton,  Pa. 


863 


ing  a  church  here,  providing  she  might  have  interest  on  the  money 
during  her  Hfe.  This  proposition  gave  hfe  to  the  project.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  soHcit  subscriptions,  and  a  building 
committee  was  also  appointed.  Mr.  G.  L.  Marcy  made  plans  for  a 
building.  On  November  18,  1896,  Mr.  Marcy  laid  out  the  church 
and  drove  the  first  stake,  and  on  January  7,  1897,  the  corner  stone 
was  laid,  the  services  being  held  in  Vaughn's  hall.  Rev.  W.  H. 
Pearce,  D.D.,  made  the  address,  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman,  D.D.,  laid 
the  stone.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  June  6,  1897.  The  build- 
ing cost  about  $2,000  and  lots  $1,000.  The  dedicatory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Rev.  C.  E.  Mogg,  D.D.  On  Christmas  Eve,  1901, 
the  last  of  the  church  debt  was  paid  and  the  mortgage  publicly 
burned.  That  evening,  about  midnight,  a  brother  stood  upon  the 
entrance  steps  and  thrice  sang  the  doxology. 

The  growth  of  the  place  and  society  made  it  advisable  to  enlarge 
the  church.  The  corner  stone  of  the  enlarged  building  was  laid 
on  Wednesday,  July  i,  1903,  the  addresses  being  made  by  Mr. 
G.  K.  Powell  and  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D.  The  new  church  will  be 
thoroughly  modern,  and  will  cost  about  $11,000.  It  is  nearing 
completion  as  this  book  goes  to  press. 

Pastorates 

1898-99,  W.  I.  Andrews;  1900-01,  G.  S.  Connell;  1902-03,  S. 
Jay. 

Eaton,  Pa. 

Eatonville  is  the  center  of  Eaton  township  and  about  two  miles 
from  Tunkhannock.  Prior  to  1881  the  churchgoing  population  of 
the  place  were  largely  Baptists.  Some,  however,  had  moved  into 
the  community  who  were  Methodists  and  formed  a  nucleus  for  a 
Methodist  church.  The  church  at  Eatonville  was  dedicated  on 
September  18,  1881,  at  2  p.  m._,  by  Rev.  Austin  Griffin.  Mrs.  W. 
Dana,  Charles  Jayne,  Edward  Jayne,  and  D.  Herman  were  the 
moving  spirits  in  the  enterprise. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1895,  costing  $800,  though  not  com- 
pleted. In  1896  some  plastering  was  done  and  the  grounds 
graded. 

Eatonville  was  on  the  Mehoopany  Circuit  some  time,  and  from 
1881  to  1886  was  with  Tunkhannock.  Rev.  G.  M.  Chamberlain 
acted  as  pastor  at  Eatonville  in  1886.  In  1887  the  circuit  was 
formed  by  adding  Union  Hill  and  Sugar  Hollow  from  the  Me- 
hoopany Circuit,  and  Thurston  Hollow  and  South  Eaton  from 
Centermoreland  Circuit  to  Eatonville.    There  is  but  one  church 


864 


Wyoming  Conference 


on  the  circuit,  though  at  one  point  the  class  worships  in  a  Baptist 
church.  No  definite  information  has  been  secured  concerning  the 
origin  or  history  of  most  of  these  societies.  Revival  work  from 
time  to  time  has  strengthened  the  circuit. 

Pastorates 

1887-88,  George  Pope;  1889,  J.  W.  Harrison;  1890,  J.  S. 
Crompton;  1891,  J.  H.  Perry;  1892,  E.  L.  Davis;  1893,  F.  D. 
Cornell;  1894,  W.  S.  Wilcox;  1895,  E.  D.  Cavanaugh;  1896-98, 
Frank  James;  1899-1900,  G.  A.  Warburton ;  1901-02,  H.  E. 
Wheeler;  1903,  A.  H.  Brink. 

Forty  Fort,  Pa. 

Bishop  Asbury  visited  the  work  in  Wyoming  in  the  summer  of 
1807.  His  journal  states  that  on  Sunday,  July  19,  '*I  went  to 
the  woods  and  preached,  and  ordained  Christian  and  Thomas 
Bowman  deacons.  Before  I  got  through  my  discourse  the  rain 
came  on,  and  I  made  a  brief  finish;  the  people  were  attentive. 
In  the  afternoon  the  preachers  and  many  of  the  people  went  to 


OLD  CHURCH,  FORTY  FORT 


a  barn ;  there  were  showers  of  rain  and  thunder  while  service 
was  performing.  ^ly  first  visit  to  Wyoming  was  in  great  toil  and 
to  little  purpose.   I  am  afraid  I  shall  have  no  better  success  now." 

The  woods  he  refers  to  were  a  grove  by  the  old  Forty  Fort 
church.  'This  was  the  year  that  church  was  built,  and  the  timber 
was  lying  about  at  the  time  Bishop  Asbury  was  there.  A  stand 
was  prepared  for  the  preachers  under  the  shade.    When  the 


Forty  Fort,  Pa. 


865 


bishop  kneeled  to  pray  it  began  to  sprinkle,  and  William  Butler 
kneeled  by  his  side  and  held  an  umbrella  over  him.  Before  he 
had  finished  his  sermon  sharp  lightning  flashed  and  terrible 
thunder  roared.  Many  were  alarmed  and  fled,  but  the  good 
bishop  was  calm  as  a  summer  evening.  A  little  girl  who  was 
brought  by  her  mother  to  hear  the  bishop  was  frightened  by  the 
thunder  and  lightning;  observing  the  calmness  of  the  good  man, 
she  thought,  'It  is  religion  that  makes  him  so  fearless  amid  the 
storm.'  The  impressions  which  she  received  on  that  occasion 
never  left  her  until  she  found  the  Saviour." 

The  church  was  so  far  completed  this  year  as  to  be  used  for 
services.  It  was  agreed  that  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians 
should  have  the  use  of  it  alternately. 

In  1809  a  notable  quarterly  meeting  was  held  at  Forty  Fort. 
We  quote  an  extensive  account  of  it,  as  it  is  typical  of  the  times: 
"There  was  a  great  crowd  present  at  the  meeting  on  Saturday. 
Hopbottom  [Brooklyn],  Canaan,  Salem,  Black  Walnut,  Wyalus- 
ing,  Huntington,  Berwick,  Brier  Creek,  and  Northumberland 
each  contributed  its  share.  It  was  feared  that  accomodations 
could  not  be  provided  for  so  many.  After  all  had  been  quartered 
in  the  neighborhood  that  could  be,  Darius  Williams  mounted  his 
horse  and  rode  up,  singing,  with  great  spirit  and  power: 

"  '  I'm  happy,  I'm  happy;  O  wondrous  account! 
My  joys  are  immortal ;  I  stand  on  the  mount ; 
I  gaze  on  my  treasure  and  long  to  be  there, 
With  angels,  my  kindred,  and  Jesus  my  dear.' 

"When  he  had  concluded  the  verse  he  said :  I've  got  a  house 
that  will  hold  forty,  and  a  heart  that  will  hold  a  hundred ;  all  who 
want  places  follow  me !'  and  as  he  rode  off  a  large  train  followed 
him.  As  the  company  arrived  his  good  wife  had  half  a  barrel  of 
potpie  smoking,  which  she  had  cooked  in  a  large  iron  kettle.  The 
potpie,  and  other  things  on  the  same  scale,  supplied  the  company 
with  a  plentiful  dinner.  The  table  was  cleared  away,  and  then 
came  on  the  singing,  and  praying,  and  shouting.  The  sound  of 
that  old-fashioned  quarterly  prayer  meeting  rolled  up  the  side  of 
Ross  Hill  and  sent  its  echo  across  the  river,  and  was  reechoed 
from  the  Wilkes-Barre  Mountain.  It  was  a  holy  season  and  a 
glorious  triumph.  Late  in  the  evening  the  men  went  to  their 
lodgings  in  the  barn,  singing  and  shouting,  and  the  women  spread 
down  beds  on  the  floor,  and  when  sufliciently  free  from  excite- 
ment fell  asleep.  On  Sabbath  morning  the  love  feast  was  one  of 
the  old  sort.  Speaking,  rejoicing,  singing,  and  shouting — each 
55 


866 


Wyoming  Conference 


occupied  a  place.  The  whole  mass  was  in  a  blaze,  and  great  and 
amazing  was  the  triumph  of  the  happy  and  entranced  multitude. 
That  was  one  of  the  good  old  times  never  to  be  forgotten." 

This  church  is  kept  in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  and  is  used 
only  occasionally  for  a  funeral.  It  was  one  of  the  preaching 
places  on  the  Wyoming  Circuit.  For  some  years  Forty  Fort  was 
a  part  of  Kingston  charge. 

Forty  Fort  charge  was  organized  in  1871,  and  included  Forty 
Fort  and  Luzerne,  the  pastor  living  at  Luzerne. 

On  December  21,  1871,  John  S.  Pettebone,  of  Kingston,  sold 
to  J.  C.  Tyrell,  James  Pettebone,  and  Jacob  Struck,  the  building 
committee  of  Forty  Fort  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  the  church 


INTERIOR  OF  OLD  CHURCH,  FORTY  FORT 


lot  for  $800,  on  contract,  the  purchase  price  to  be  paid  before 
December  21,  1881,  with  interest.  On  December  30,  1872,  he 
gave  the  society  a  deed  for  the  lot.  ''The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Forty  Fort"  was  incorporated  on  November  20,  1872, 
with  Joseph  Smith,  Adam  Heitz,  John  S.  Pettebone,  A.  B.  Tyrell, 
S.  A.  Barber,  and  Isaac  Trips  trustees.  The  church  was  dedi- 
cated on  July  5,  1875,  costing  $3,200.  Rev.  R.  Nelson,  D.D., 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

In  1886  the  lot  adjoining  the  church  was  purchased  of  E.  H. 
Snowden  for  $1,500,  the  deed  for  which  was  executed  on  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1889.  A  parsonage  was  built  costing  $1,603,  and  the 
church  was  rebuilt  at  a  cost  of  $7,926,  both  built  the  same  year. 
The  church  was  dedicated  on  Tuesday,  October  18,  1887.  Rev. 
William  Searls,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  A.  H. 


Glen  Lyon,  Pa. 


867 


Tuttle,  D.D.,  in  the  evening.  A  total  of  $4,200  was  raised  during 
the  day.  During  the  time  the  church  was  being  built  the  society 
worshiped  in  the  church  built  by  the  Hon.  John  B.  Smith  for  the 
Christians. 

This  society  has  had  a  vigorous  growth. 


NEW  CHURCH^  FORTY-^FORT 


Pastorates 

1871,  H.  Trethowan;  1872,  W.  J.  Hill;  1873-74,  J.  Madison; 
1875,  J.  F.  Wilbur;  1876,  J.  Underwood;  1877-79,  J-  La  Bar; 
1880-82,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1883-85,  George  Greenfield;  1886-88,  F.  A. 
Chapman;  1889-93,  W.  R.  Netherton ;  1894-95,  L.  E.  Van 
Hoesen;  I^g6-g6y2,  F.  A.  Chapman;  1896^/^-1900,  E.  V.  Arm- 
strong; 1901-03,  B.  P.  Ripley. 

Glen  Lyon,  Pa. 

Before  becoming  an  appointment  in  1894  Glen  Lyon  formed  a 
part  of  Wanamie  charge.  The  society  first  worshiped  in  a  red 
schoolhouse,  located  on  what  is  now  Market  Street,  not  far  from 
what  is  known  as  the  old  Morgan  property.  In  1888  John  Hill 
and  Thomas  Morgan,  leaders  in  the  society,  secured  from  the  Sus- 


868 


Wyoming  Conference 


quehanna  Coal  Company,  as  a  gift,  the  lot  on  which  the  church 
stands,  on  condition  that  it  be  used  solely  for  a  place  of  worship 
by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  church  was  erected  in 
1888  at  a  cost  of  $2,000,  and  dedicated  on  July  22,  1888,  by  Rev. 
R.  W.  Van  Schoick.  The  Rev.  H.  M.  Crydenwise  preached  both 
morning  and  evening.  During  the  day  $1,255  was  raised.  The 
church  is  30x50  feet,  with  a  basement  fitted  for  Sunday  school 
and  social  work. 

The  lot  for  the  parsonage,  adjoining  the  church,  was  given  the 
society  by  the  Susquehanna  Coal  Company,  and  the  parsonage 
was  built  in  1901,  costing  $1,500.  The  church  and  parsonage  are 
lighted  by  electricity. 

Glen  Lyon  was  formerly  called  "Morgantown." 

Pastorates 

1894,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1895,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1896,  J.  H. 
Brunges;  1897-98,  G.  S.  Council;  1899-1900,  W.  L  Andrews; 
1901-02,  G.  A.  Warburton;  1903,  J.  E.  Bone. 

Kingston,  Pa. 

In  the  spring  of  1788,  under  the  labors  of  Anning  Owen,  a 
revival  broke  out  at  Ross  Hill,  in  what  is  now  Edwardsville.  The 
meetings  were  held  in  the  house  of  Captain  Ebenezer  Parish, 
which  was  located  just  east  of  the  present  High  School  building. 
Just  after  the  revival  Mr.  Owen  organized  the  first  class  in 
Wyoming  Valley,  which  included  Anning  Owen  and  wife,  Mr. 
Gray  and  wife,  StephenT  Baker  and  wife,  Abram  Adams,  Mrs. 
Wooley  and  Nancy  Wooley ;  subsequently  Mrs.  Ruth  Pierce, 
Alice  and  Hannah  Pierce,  Samuel  Carver  and  his  father,  Darius 
Williams  and  wife,  Ebenezer  Parish  and  wife,  Joseph  Brown, 
Mrs.  Deborah  Bedford,  and  Benjamin  Carpenter.  Speaking  of 
the  services  of  those  days,  Mrs.  Bedford  said,  "Father  Owen 
hammered  away  for  us,  and  we  did  very  well.  We  were  all  happy 
in  God,  and  not  very  particular." 

The  class  was  not  recognized  as  an  appointment  until  1791, 
when  it  became  a  part  of  the  newly  formed  Wyoming  Circuit, 
where  it  remained  until  Kingston  charge  was  created  in  1840. 
However,  the  class  was  visited  in  1789  by  Rev.  Nathaniel  Mills, 
pastor  of  Newburg  Circuit,  and  by  his  successor  in  1790.  During 
1 79 1  the  first  quarterly  meeting  was  held  in  Captain  Parish's 
barn,  and  was  "a  season  of  great  refreshing  and  solemn  con- 
sciousness of  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 

William  Colbert's  journal  of  Sunday,  October  27,  1793,  has  the 


Kingston,  Pa. 


869 


following:  "This  morning  held  a  love  feast,  preached  at  Squire 
Myers's.  Brother  Paynter  preached  on  Matt,  x,  32,  33.  After 
him  I  preached  from  Luke  xxii,  19,  and  administered  the  Lord's 
Supper ;  Brother  Owen  assisted.  Brothers  Paynter  and  Turck 
exhorted  powerfully."  Dr.  Peck  says  these  labors  were  within  a 
few  rods  of  the  site  of  the  Methodist  church  and  the  Wyoming 
Seminary.  "The  place  is  now  (i860)  occupied  by  the  descend- 
ants of  the  man  Mr.  Colbert  frequently  mentions,  and  calls  'my 


KINGSTON  CHURCH 


friend  Abram  Goodwin.'  "  "On  December  2  Mr.  Colbert  is  at 
Stephen  Baker's,  in  Kingston,  where  he  preached  and  Brother 
Turck  formed  four  bands.  Baker  lived  on  the  old  road  between 
Forty  Fort  and  Wilkes-Barre,  on  what  is  now  (i860)  called 
the  Church  place.  This  was  thenceforth  a  place  of  resort  and 
rest  for  the  preachers,  and  frequently  a  preaching  place." 

The  first  house  of  worship  owned  by  the  Methodists  of  Kings- 
ton was  a  small  building  located  just  north  of  the  present  Main 
Street  school  building,  and  called  the  "Class  Room."  In  1841 
the  first  church  was  erected  near  the  present  site  and  facing  east- 
ward. It  was  36x50  feet,  and  cost  $2,300,  which  was  fully  pro- 
vided for  and  the  building  "dedicated  without  encumbering 


870 


Wyoming  Conference 


debts."  The  building  committee  were  Madison  Myers,  Thomas 
Pringle,  and  WiUiam  Hancock,  who  were  the  trustees  at  the  time. 
The  site  was  deeded  to  the  society  on  February  24,  1841,  in  con- 
sideration of  $300,  by  Thomas  Myers  and  wife.  About  1865  the 
church  was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  27  feet  to  its  length,  the 
interior  being  remodeled  at  the  same  time.  A  new  sexton  had 
been  hired,  and  during  his  first  day's  service  a  fire  broke  out  in 
one  of  the  storerooms,  and  the  church  burned  to  the  ground  on 
Saturday  evening,  February  10,  1872.  The  corner  stone  of  the 
present  church  was  laid  on  August  19,  1872.  The  building  is 
65x80,  built  of  brick,  and  cost  $56,500,  including  additional  lot, 
organ,  sidewalks,  etc.  Prior  to  the  day  of  dedication,  Wednesday, 
]\Iay  20,  1874,  $25,000  had  been  raised,  leaving  $31,500  to  be  pro- 
vided for  on  that  day.  Rev.  W.  P.  Abbott  preached  in  the  morn- 
ing from  Rev.  vi,  2,  after  which  Rev.  B.  L  Ives  raised  $32,000. 
Mr.  Ives  preached  in  the  evening,  and  at  the  close  of  his  sermon 
solicited  funds  until  a  total  of  $35,000  was  reached.  Dr.  Nelson 
conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  The  building  committee  at 
this  time  were  A.  J.  Pringle,  R.  Nelson,  D.D.,  and  Abram  Nesbitt. 

The  presiding  elder  in  his  report  of  1886  says:  "Much  intense 
solicitude  has  been  felt,  and  no  small  amount  of  fear,  lest  Kings- 
ton ^Methodism  would  suffer  serious  damage  before  the  debt  was 
removed.  A  Romish  priest  said  but  a  few  months  ago,  *We  will 
have  the  Methodist  church  in  Kingston  before  long.'  They  did 
not  get  it.  The  work  of  redemption  was  consummated  last  Sab- 
bath, April  2,  led  by  the  pastor,  who  was  ably  assisted  by  a  band 
of  heroic,  devoted  brethren.  The  amount  needed  to  meet  the 
indebtedness  fully  was  most  cheerfully  contributed  by  the  congre- 
gation and  friends  of  the  church  ($13,000),  has  been  secured,  and 
the  church  is  free." 

In  1897-98  the  interior  of  the  church  was  extensively  improved, 
and  a  three-manual  pipe  organ  purchased,  at  a  total  cost  of 
$10,000,  which  was  fully  provided  for  on  the  day  of  reopening. 
The  building  committee  at  this  time  were  Abram  Nesbitt,  P.  M. 
Carhart,  W.  P.  Billings,  and  Rev.  L.  C.  Murdock. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1871,  and  cost  about  $6,000. 

Larksville  and  Dorranceton  societies  are  children  of  the  Kings- 
ton church. 

The  church  has  two  perpetual  policies  of  insurance,  amount- 
ing to  $20,000,  the  gift  of  the  late  George  Nesbitt. 

The  society  has  enjoyed  a  number  of  \try  gracious  revival 
seasons. 


Lackawanna,  Pa. 


871 


The  charge  was  known  as  Wyoming  from  1840  to  1855,  and 
took  the  name  of  Kingston  in  1856.  From  1850  to  1853  New 
Troy  (Wyoming)  was  associated  with  it.  In  i860  Kingston 
and  Wyoming  were  united  under  the  name  of  New  Troy  and 
Kingston,  and  in  1861  the  name  was  changed  to  Wyoming  and 
Kingston.  In  1864  the  charge  was  divided,  since  which  time 
each  point  has  been  a  charge. 

Forty  Fort  was  with  this  charge  in  1848. 

Pastorates 

1840-41,  John  B.  Benham;  1842-43,  L.  S.  Bennett,  W.  Reddy; 
1844-45,  P-  G.  White;  1846,  F.  Humphries;  1847,  T.  H.  Pearne; 
1848,  E.  P.  WilHams,  B.  Hawley;  1849,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1850,  A. 
Bronson,  B.  W.  Godiam;  1851,  C.  H.  Harvey;  1852,  T.  D. 
Walker;  1853,  T.  D.  Walker,  L.  D.  Tryon;  1854,  C.  W.  Giddings, 
G.  M.  Peck;  1855,  S.  S.  Kennedy;  1856,  W.  W.  Welch;  1857, 
C.  Perkins;  1858,  S.  S.  Kennedy;  1859,  C.  Perkins,  Y.  C.  Smith; 
i860,  A.  Brooks,  W.  J.  Judd;  1861,  W.  J.  Judd;  1862-63,  L.  Cole; 
1864-66,  B.  D.  Sturdevant;  1867-69,  1.  T.  Walker;  1870-72,  G.  R. 
Hair;  1873,  H.  V.  Talbot;  1874-75,  P.  Krohn ;  1876-78,  H. 
Wheeler;  1879-80,  O.  W.  Scott;  1881-82,  J.  O.  Woodruf¥;  1883- 
84,  R.  W.  Van  Schoick;  1885-86,  A.  Griffin;  1887-91,  J.  G. 
Eckman;  1892-96,  H.  C.  McDermott;  1897-1903,  L.  C.  Murdock. 

Lackawanna^  Pa. 

"The  early  Methodists  held  their  meetings,  in  what  is  now 
Marcy  township,  in  a  log  schoolhouse  which  stood  on  the  lot 
where  the  present  schoolhouse  stands,  on  the  township  line  near 
the  brick  church."  It  is  believed  a  class  was  formed  here  as  early 
as  181 5,  Ebenezer  and  Jonathan  Marcy  being  among  the  original 
members. 

In  1842  the  class  was  a  part  of  Pittston  Circuit,  and  at  that 
time  contained  thirteen  members.  In  1843  Lackawanna  appears 
among  the  appointments,  and  continues  until  1848,  when  it  dis- 
appears, probably  becoming  a  part  of  Pittston  Circuit  again.  In 
1856  it  reappears,  the  circuit  including  the  Lackawanna  class 
and  Hyde  Park,  and  all  the  territory  lying  between. 

Hyde  Park  was  cut  off  early  in  the  sixties,  Taylorville  in  1876, 
Avoca  in  1880,  Rendham  in  1891,  Moosic  in  1896,  and  Old  Forge 
in  1898. 

The  society  at  Lackawanna  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse  many 
years.    The  site  for  the  church  and  parsonage  was  purchased  of 


872 


Wyoming  Conference 


Ebenezer  Marcy  for  a  nominal  sum.  The  church,  which  is  of 
brick,  is  40x60,  and  was  built  in  1852-53,  costing  $2,000,  and  was 
dedicated  in  August,  1853.  I"  1875-76  $1,200  was  spent  in  re- 
pairs, the  steeple  being  built  at  this  time.  After  expending  $900 
for  carpets,  altar,  pulpit  furniture,  and  other  repairs  the  church 
was  reopened  on  January  4,  1885,  by  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  assisted  by 
Rev.  H.  H.  Dresser.  In  1899  $2,000  was  spent  in  constructing 
a  new  basement,  purchasing  new  pews,  furnace,  organ,  carpets. 


LACKAWANNA  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


etc.  At  the  watch-night  service  of  1901  a  fifteen-hundred-dol- 
lar mortgage  was  burned. 

This  society  has  been  familiarly  called  the  ''Brick  Church" 
many  years.  A  very  interesting  "Twentieth  Century  Home  Gath- 
ering" service  was  held  on  Tuesday,  March  5,  1901.  About  this 
time  $1,000  was  raised  to  apply  on  indebtedness. 

The  parsonage  was  built  about  1867. 

Pastorates 

1843,  Epenetus  Owen;  1844,  Ira  Wilcox,  J.  D.  Safford ;  1845, 
E.  R.  Tenny;  1846,  John  Mulkey;  1847,  J-  Mulkey,  Z.  Kellogg; 
1848-55,  with  Pittston;  1856,  F.  Illman ;  1857-58,  J.  S.  Lewis; 


Lehman,  Pa. 


873 


1859-60,  S.  S.  Barter;  1861,  N.  W.  Everett,  J.  T.  Crowell ;  1862, 
T.  D.  Swartz;  1863,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1864-65,  Isaac  Austin;  1866-68, 
R.  S.  Rose;  1869-71,  J.  C.  Leacock ;  1872-74,  J.  La  Bar;  1875-76, 
J.  Madison;  1877-79,  J-  R-  Wagner;  1880,  N.  J.  Hawley ;  1881-83, 
S.  Elwell;  1884-86,  L  N.  Shipman ;  1887-88,  F.  A.  King;  1889- 
90,  J.  R.  Angel;  1891-94,  J.  L.  Race;  1895-98,  E.  L.  Santee; 
1899-1900,  G.  F.  Ace;  1901,  H.  A.  Green;  1902-03,  G.  G.  Jacobs. 
From  1843-47  this  was  the  old  Pittston  Circuit  called  Lacka- 
wanna. 

Lehman^  Pa. 

Methodism  sent  its  preachers  into  this  territory  as  early  as 
1824;  according  to  Major  Case,  before  1820.  Lehman  Circuit 
lies  among  the  hills,  about  eleven  miles  from  Wilkes-Barre  and 
ten  to  twelve  miles  east  of  the  North  Mountains,  in  an  exception- 
ally healthful  locality.  The  circuit  in  early  days  was  a  part  of 
Wyoming  Circuit,  and  subsequently  a  part  of  Northmoreland 
Circuit  (see  Centermoreland),  and  was  formed  into  a  charge  in 
1852.  Lehman  Circuit  formerly  comprised  much  more  territory 
than  at  present.  In  1867  the  circuit  had  eleven  preaching  places. 
Maple  Grove  Circuit  was  taken  from  Lehman  Circuit  in  1877. 

The  site  for  the  Lehman  church  was  purchased  of  William 
Major  for  $100,  and  contains  about  one  half  acre.  A  parsonage 
was  built  on  the  lot  in  1852-53,  costing  between  $1,100  and  $1,200. 

The  church  was  built  in  1856,  costing  $1,500,  and  dedicated  on 
Tuesday,  November  25,  of  that  year.  After  an  expenditure  of 
$1,000  the  church  was  reopened  on  Sunday,  August  11,  1872, 
Rev.  A.  H.  Wyatt  preaching  from  Acts  v,  20.  During  the  day 
$253  was  raised  to  fully  provide  for  the  improvements.  After 
spending  $1,800  in  enlarging  and  modernizing  the  church,  pur- 
chasing a  bell,  and  building  new  sheds,  the  church  was  reopened 
on  February  24,  1893,  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  preaching  the 
dedicatory  sermon.  Among  the  improvements  were  an  alcove 
for  the  pulpit,  circular  pews,  which  cost  $300,  the  gift  of  A.  D. 
Hay  and  C.  H.  Major,  and  a  commodious  Sunday  school  room. 

The  lot  for  the  present  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1899  from 
Mrs.  Charrie  Worthington  for  $200,  and  a  house  built  the  same 
season  costing  $2,000.  It  has  modern  improvements,  and  is  an 
attractive  house. 

Levi  Rice  is  the  oldest  member  of  this  society.  Mrs.  William 
Major  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  and  William  R. 
Neely  the  class  leader. 

The  present  board  of  stewards  are :  Lehman,  A.  D.  Hay,  Frank 


874 


Wyoming  Conference 


Searfoss,  James  Hildebrandt,  W.  R.  Neeley,  T.  A.  Brown;  Ide 
Town,  Frank  Ide,  Harry  Ide,  Burton  Ide,  Ellis  Ide,  E.  E.  Allen ; 
Jackson,  Ziba  Smith,  Charles  Ehret,  Douglass  Case,  and  Leonidas 
Case. 

Ide  Town  society  was  organized  about  1865,  and  is  situated 
three  miles  north  of  Lehman.  A  lot  containing  sixty-seven  and 
a  half  perches  was  purchased  of  Mrs.  Mary  Oliver,  on  May  18, 
1893,  for  $100.  The  church  and  sheds  cost  $2,150,  and  the 
church  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  December  7,  1893,  by  Rev. 
J.  G.  Eckman.  The  sum  of  $650  was  raised  at  the  time  to  fully 
provide  for  the  cost.  Solomon  Ide,  now  eighty-five  years  of  age, 
is  the  oldest  member  at  this  point,  and  gave  $250  toward  the 
enterprise.  Frank  Ide  is  the  class  leader.  From  eighty  to  ninety 
attend  class  regularly,  and  from  thirty  to  fifty  the  prayer  meeting. 
Adelbert  Husted  is  the  Sunday  school  superintendent. 

Jackson  is  about  four  miles  south  of  Lehman.  The  site  for  the 
church  was  given  by  Wilbur  Rice,  and  the  church,  costing  $1,500, 
was  built  in  1883.  Toward  this  enterprise  Ziba  Smith  gave  $300, 
Wilbur  Rice  $100,  I.  H.  Hale  $100,  and  among  those  who  gave 
smaller  amounts,  yet  liberally,  were  Thomas  Atkinson,  James 
Nelson,  Major  Case,  and  Charles  Ehret.  The  church  was  re- 
painted and  sheds  built  in  1893  at  a  cost  of  $300. 

Major  Case,  the  oldest  member  at  Jackson,  thinks  Methodism 
was  introduced  into  this  section  before  1820.  He  recalls  the  visit 
of  Rev.  H.  F.  Rowe  to  the  place,  which  occurred  when  he  was  but 
a  small  boy.  The  Lameraux  class  was  formed  in  the  lower  part 
of  Jackson,  and  subsequently  the  De  Forest  class  in  the  upper 
part  of  Jackson.  These  classes  were  united  about  the  time  the 
church  was  built.  There  is  a  tradition  among  the  older  members 
that  Father  Davey,  in  early  days,  refused  admission  to  love  feast 
to  those  who  wore  feathers  or  jewelry.  He  acted  as  doorkeeper, 
and  requested  such  to  repair  to  another  place  and  remove  the 
evidences  of  worldliness. 

This  society  has  been  visited  by  many  very  gracious  and  ex- 
tensive revivals. 

Ziba  Smith  is  the  Sunday  school  superintendent. 

Pastorates 

1852,  C.  Perkins;  1853,  F.  Illman,  L.  Cole;  1854,  W.  Smith; 
1855-56,  G.  L.  Griffing;  1857-58,  P.  Holbrook ;  1859-60,  J.  S. 
Lewis;  1861-62,  J.  G.  Eckman;  1863-64,  D.  Personeus;  1865-66, 


Luzerne,  Pa. 


875 


G.  Greenfield;  1867-68,  J.  C.  Leacock;  1869-71,  Isaac  Austin; 
1872,  F.  A.  King,  P.  M.  Mott;  1873,  F.  A.  King,  J.  T.  Burrall; 
1874,  F.  A.  King,  C.  W.  Sartell;  1875,  J  B.  Santee,  1.  B.  Wilson; 
1876,  R.  C.  Gill,  L  B.  Wilson;  1877,  R.  C.  Gill;  1878-80,  D. 
Larish;  1881,  W.  Shelp;  1882-84,  C.  H.  Sackett;  1885,  N.  M. 
Bailey;  1886-88,  P.  M.  Mott;  1889-90,  J.  L.  Race;  1891,  Isaac 
Jenkins;  1892-94,  J.  R.  Wagner;  1895-97,  J.  Benningcr;  1898, 
A.  Wrigley;  1899-1900,  H.  D.  Smith;  1901,  W.  T.  Blair;  1902, 
A.  David;  1903,  J.  Brundle. 

Luzerne,  Pa. 

Luzerne  was  called  "Mill  Hollow"  for  some  time,  and  it  is 
claimed  that  a  class  existed  here  as  early  as  1825,  which  met  in 
the  old  schoolhouse  on  the  island,  where  meetings  were  held  some 
time.  In  1873  Mill  Hollow  formed  a  part  of  Forty  Fort  charge, 
meetings  being  held  in  the  afternoon.  In  1883  the  place  became 
a  charge  and  appeared  in  the  appointments. 

"The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Mill  Hollow"  became  in- 


LUZERNE  CHURCH 


corporated  on  February  3,  1874,  with  S.  D.  Fisk,  James  Thomas, 
Thomas  Reese,  Joseph  Welter,  Charles  Lapha,  Daniel  Harris, 
John  Matthews,  John  Bartholomew,  and  George  H.  Rice  trustees. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  given  the  society  by  Mrs.  Sarah 
S.  Bennett,  widow  of  Charles  Bennett,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and  was 
deeded  to  the  society  on  August  6,  1874.  The  church  was  erected 
on  contract  by  S.  W.  Bennett,  and  cost  about  $4,000.    It  was 


876 


Wyoming  Conference 


dedicated  on  July  5,  1874.  Rev.  R.  Nelson  preached  in  the 
morning  and  Rev.  P.  Krohn  in  the  evening.  A  total  of  $2,550 
was  raised  during  the  day,  enough  to  fully  provide  for  the  church 
and  $300  to  apply  on  the  parsonage  lots  belonging  to  the  Forty 
Fort  charge.  The  Wyoming  Trio  added  to  the  pleasure  of  the 
day. 

On  March  16,  1884,  the  church  was  reopened,  after  an  ex- 
penditure of  $4,470,  in  enlarging  and  improving  the  building. 
Rev.  H.  A.  Buttz  preached  in  the  morning  and  afternoon  and 
Rev.  S.  C.  Fulton  in  the  evening.  Rev.  A.  Griffin  had  charge  of 
the  finances.  The  sum  of  $3,200  was  raised  during  the  day.  The 
young  people  of  the  church  gave  the  pulpit  furniture,  and  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  the  carpet.  Tuesday,  March  16,  1886,  was 
a  jubilee  day.  Hard  times  had  caused  a  shrinkage  in  dedicatory 
subscriptions,  and  it  was  necessary  to  raise  a  deficit  at  this  time. 
Revs.  R.  W.  Van  Schoick  and  A.  Griffin  were  present  and  made 
addresses.  The  services  closed  with  great  rejoicing,  and  the  debt 
fully  provided  for. 

The  bell  was  purchased  in  1893.  The  church  was  again  re- 
built in  1896,  doubling  the  seating  capacity,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000. 
Mr.  J.  L.  Crawford  bore  one  tenth  of  the  expense,  and  Mrs.  P. 
L.  Bennett,  Miss  Martha  Bennett,  Mrs.  P.  Pettebone,  Mrs.  Dick- 
son, Mrs.  Derr,  and  Mrs.  R.  Nelson  helped  liberally.  The  church 
was  reopened  on  January  29,  1897.  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D., 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon,  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman,  D.D., 
conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  The  pipe  organ  was  purchased 
in  1899. 

The  parsonage  was  bought  on  August  24,  1886,  of  Michael 
Lapha  for  $2,135.  In  1888  $1,000  was  raised  to  apply  on  the 
parsonage  debt  and  the  balance  in  1899.  ^^^^  of  1902  the 

parsonage  was  thoroughly  modernized  and  a  Brussels  carpet  laid 
in  the  church,  the  whole  costing  $1,500. 

In  January  and  February,  1894,  a  revival  swept  the  whole  com- 
munity, in  which  there  were  over  two  hundred  conversions  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty-five  accessions  to  the  church.  There  have 
been  other  ingatherings,  but  none  so  extensive  as  this. 

Pastorates 

1883-85,  H.  B.  Johnson;  1886,  W.  H.  Turkington ;  1887-88, 
Jonas  Underwood;  1889-93,  F.  A.  King;  1894-95,  J.  F.  Williams; 
1896-98,  J.  R.  Wagner;  1899-1902,  W.  A.  Wagner;  1903,  C.  B. 
Henry.  W.  A.  Wagner  left  in  the  middle  of  1902,  and  C.  B. 
Henry  began  his  work  soon  after. 


Maple  Grove,  Pa. 


877 


Maple  Grove,  Pa. 

The  early  history  of  this  circuit  is  with  Lehman  Circuit,  of 
which  it  formed  a  part  prior  to  becoming  a  charge  in  1877. 

John  Baird  in  his  will  directed  the  giving  of  a  lot  to  the  society 
for  a  church.  Accordingly,  on  January  5,  1872,  in  consideration 
of  $1,  Simeon  Lewis  and  wife  Sarah  deeded  the  society  the  site 
for  the  church.  The  trustees  at  the  time  were  W.  H.  Edwards, 
Joel  Roberts,  William  White,  J.  W.  Matthews,  Albert  S.  Steel, 
Hiram  Steel,  Isaac  B.  Wilson,  F.  W.  Kindred,  Jonah  R.  Bron- 
son.  On  January  24,  1873,  the  society  became  incorporated  as 
"The  Maple  Grove  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  with  the  trus- 
tees the  same  as  above,  with  one  exception — E.  B.  Mott  took  the 
place  of  William  White.  The  church,  which  cost  about  $2,000, 
was  dedicated  on  December  20,  1872.  After  expending  $600  in 
repairs  the  building  was  reopened  on  September  25,  1903,  by  Rev. 
A.  Griffin,  D.D. 

The  parsonage  is  located  at  Maple  Grove,  and  was  built  in 
1879,  costing  $1,200. 

The  society  is  about  to  build  a  hall  for  public  use,  and  some 
sheds. 

F.  W.  Kindred  has  been  a  trustee  of  this  society  thirty-six 
years,  and  is  still  serving  in  that  capacity. 

Mooretown,  known  also  as  Retreat,  received  its  building  site  as 
a  gift  from  Archibald  Moore.  The  land  reverts  to  the  giver 
should  it  at  any  time  cease  to  be  used  by  the  Methodists  for  re- 
ligious purposes.  The  church,  which  cost  $2,000,  and  is  now 
valued  at  $1,200,  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday  evening,  October 
20,  1875.  Rev.  G.  R.  Hair  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon,  after 
which  the  cost  of  the  building  was  provided  for. 

Ruggles  church  is  five  miles  southeast  of  Maple  Grove.  John 
J.  Shonk  gave  the  building  site,  and  the  church,  which  cost  $1,200, 
was  erected  in  1874.  After  expending  $250  in  repairs  the  church 
was  reopened  on  December  30,  1885. 

Loyalville,  also  called  Chestnut  Grove,  is  three  miles  south- 
east of  Maple  Grove,  and  is  sometimes  called  the  Allen  appoint- 
ment. The  church,  which  cost  $1,400,  was  built  on  land  donated 
by  Henry  Randalls,  and  was  dedicated  in  the  fall  of  1885.  It  is 
now  being  repaired  at  a  probable  cost  of  $500. 

Meeker  is  a  schoolhouse  appointment  two  miles  east  of  Maple 
Grove. 


878 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1877.  I.  B.  Wilson;  1878-80,  P.  Houck;  1881-83,  G.  W.  Leach; 
1884-86,  G.  F.  Ace;  1887-88,  J.  W.  Harrison;  1889-90,  W.  Raw- 
lings;  1891-93,  J.  W.  Price;  1894-97,  F.  D.  Cornell;  1898,  J.  A. 
Transiie;  1899-1900,  T.  J.  Vaughn;  1901-02,  H.  G.  Harned; 
1903,  W.  H.  Craig. 

Moosic. 

Work  here  was  organized  on  February  9,  1892,  at  the  home  of 
Frank  L.  Mostello,  when  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  formed, 
electing  the  following  officers :  ^Irs.  F.  L.  Mostello,  president ; 
Mrs.  George  Tregellas  and  Mrs.  M.  H.  Edsal,  vice  presidents; 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Berlew,  secretary ;  Airs.  C.  S.  Snyder,  assistant  secre- 
tary; Airs.  William  Lieberheim,  treasurer.    This  was  under  the 


MOOSIC  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


direction  of  the  pastor  of  Lackawanna,  who  preached  for  a  time 
in  the  Welsh  church.  Being  refused  further  use  of  this,  cottage 
prayer  meetings  were  held  at  private  houses  until  the  church 
was  built. 

'The  First  Alethodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Aloosic"  was  in- 
corporated on  December  19,  1892,  that  is,  the  court  granted  the 
charter  on  that  date,  with  C.  D.  Snyder,  F.  J.  Schoonover,  E.  H. 
Berlew,  J.  A.  La  Bar,  William  AI.  Westcott,  Harvey  Jacques, 
and  F.  L.  Alostello  trustees. 

Through  the  kindness  of  S.  Judson  Stark,  the  heirs  of  Samuel 
Stark  gave  the  society  a  lot  75x150  feet.  The  corner  stone  of  the 
church  was  laid  on  July  22,  1893,  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman,  Rev. 


Moosic,  Pa. 


879 


W.  H.  Pearce  making  the  address  of  the  day.  The  church, 
which  cost  $3,500,  was  dedicated  on  September  16,  1894.  Rev. 
J.  G.  Eckman  preached  in  the  morning,  Rev.  J.  B.  Sweet  in  the 
afternoon,  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Race  in  the  evening.  Mrs.  P.  Pette- 
bone  presented  the  society  with  the  bell.  One  thousand  dollars 
was  raised  during  the  day. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1899  beside  the  church,  a  strip  of 
land  having  been  leased  of  the  Spring  Brook  Water  and  Supply 
Company,  so  as  to  secure  room  for  the  house.  The  building 
cost  $1,028.66  in  cash,  besides  a  great  deal  of  labor  donated  by 
members  and  friends  of  the  church,  among  the  latter  being 
several  Catholics.  During  the  year  $500  was  raised,  and  the 
balance,  $528.66,  was  borrowed.  The  pastor  moved  into  the 
parsonage  on  November  22,  1899. 

A  debt  of  $1,000  remained  on  the  church,  which  with  the 
parsonage  debt  made  a  total  indebtedness  of  $1,528.66  in  the 
spring  of  1900.  In  1900  the  indebtedness  was  reduced  to  $1,080, 
and  in  1901  to  $300. 

Emmet  Broadhead  has  been  Sunday  school  superintendent  and 
Edward  Miller  class  leader  since  the  society  was  organized. 

Revival  work  in  1898  and  1899  greatly  strengthened  the 
society. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  an  important  factor  in  the 
work  of  the  church  from  the  beginning. 

The  society  formed  a  part  of  Lackawanna  charge  until  it 
became  an  appointment  in  1896. 

The  flood  of  October  9  and  10,  1903,  damaged  the  property 
greatly,  carrying  away  a  large  part  of  its  lawn,  and  some  of  the 
wall  on  the  rear  side  of  the  church.  It  is  estimated  that  it  will 
cost  $2,000  to  restore  the  property  to  its  former  condition. 

Pastorates 

1896,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1897-98,  John  Humphrey;  1899-1902,  J.  N. 
Bailey;  1903,  W.  A.  Edwards.  In  August,  1902,  J.  N.  Bailey 
was  transferred  West  and  W.  A.  Edwards  transferred  in  to  take 
his  place. 

Mountain  Top,  Pa. 

Mountain  Top  formed  a  part  of  Newport  Circuit  (see  Askam), 
and  in  1872,  together  with  Rippletown,  Stairville,  and  Slocum, 
was  formed  into  a  circuit.  In  1880  Rippletown,  Stairville,  and 
Slocum  were  taken  from  Mountain  Top  and  added  to  the 
Wapwallopen  charge  in  the  Central  Pennsylvania  Conference. 


88o 


Wyoming  Conference 


"The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Mountain  Top"  became 
incorporated  on  April  26,  1880,  with  Eleazer  Carey,  Robert  H. 
Nicholas,  John  W.  Houck,  Charles  D.  Clarke,  and  Daniel 
Messenger  trustees.  The  lot  for  the  church  was  deeded  to  the 
society  by  the  Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation  Company  on  June 
28,  1 88 1,  and  the  lot  for  the  parsonage  on  April  2,  1894.  The 
church  was  built  in  1881,  after  one  of  the  Church  Extension 
plans,  and  cost  about  $1,600.  It  was  dedicated  on  Thursday, 
November  24  (Thanksgiving  Day),  1881.  Rev.  A.  Griffin 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  from  Matt,  xxvi,  6-13,  after 
which  he  raised  $600. 

The  parsonage  was  erected  in  1887,  costing  $1,000,  and  in  the 
same  year  the  church  bell  was  purchased  and  some  repairs  made 
on  the  church  costing  $300. 

Sugar  Notch  was  with  this  charge  for  a  while. 

Revivals  have  been  characteristic  of  almost  every  pastorate. 

Pastorates 

1872-73,  J.  R.  Wagner;  1874,  J.  T.  Burrall ;  1875,  W.  Treible; 
1876,  J.  H.  Ruggles;  1877,  W.  Edgar;  1878,  J.  A.  Transue ;  1879, 
J.  Underwood;  1880-81,  with  Ashley;  1882,  T.  Harris;  1883, 
W.  A.  Davies;  1884-86,  J.  W.  Harrison;  1887-89,  J.  C.  Hogan ; 
1890,  E.  W.  Thomson;  1891-92,  W.  H.  McCauley;  1893-95, 
L.  E.  Sanford;  1896-97,  P.  Houck;  1898-1901,  T.  M.  Furey; 
1902-03,  G.  S.  Connell. 

Nanticoke,  Pa. 

It  is  believed  that  a  class  was  formed  here  about  181 2,  com- 
posed of  David  and  Susan  Thompson,  Martha  and  Priscilla  Lee, 
Mary  Miller,  Richard  Keithline,  Hannah  E.  Stiles,  James  and 
William  Thompson,  and  Elizabeth  Mills.  The  log  houses  of  the 
early  settlers  furnished  a  place  of  meeting  until  a  log  schoolhouse 
was  built.  The  class  worshiped  in  this  until  the  union  church 
was  built  in  1830.  This  church  was  built  on  the  site  of  the 
schoolhouse,  the  basement  being  used  for  school  purposes  and  the 
upper  part  for  church  purposes.  It  was  24x36,  with  no  gallery, 
and  the  entrance  was  in  the  rear  of  the  building.  The  church 
was  particularly  to  be  used  by  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians ; 
however,  other  orthodox  denominations  might  use  it  at  such 
hours  as  would  not  interfere  with  the  societies  named.  The  lot 
was  deeded  to  David  Thompson,  James  Lee,  Henry  Linn,  Silax 
Alexander,  Washington  Lee,  and  others. 

From  1 86 1  to  1874  inclusive  the  society  worshiped  in  the 


Nanticoke,  Pa. 


88i 


Presbyterian  church,  and  in  1875  and  part  of  1876  in  Snyder 
Hall.  "The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Nanticoke"  was 
incorporated  on  December  13,  1875,  with  Thomas  Hill,  George 
O.  Williams,  John  Puckey,  John  Letcher,  and  Luther  Curtis 
trustees. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  donated  the  society  by  the  Susque- 
hanna Coal  Company,  and  the  corner  stone  of  the  church  laid  in 
1876  by  Rev.  G.  R.  Hair,  assisted  by  Rev.  T.  C.  Roskelly.  In 
the  latter  part  of  1876  the  basement  was  completed  so  that  the 
society  used  it  for  church  purposes.  The  church  was  not  com- 
pleted until  early  in  1880,  when  it  was  dedicated  on  March  5  by 


NANTICOKE  CHURCH 


Bishop  Thomas  Bowman.  The  building  seated  four  hundred 
and  fifty  people,  and  cost  about  $4,500. 

In  1886  $1,000  was  expended  in  decorating  and  refitting  the 
interior  of  the  church. 

After  an  outlay  of  $5,000  in  thoroughly  modernizing  the 
church,  recarpeting,  instaUing  electric  lights,  and  making  other 
improvements,  it  was  reopened  on  January  22,  1893.  Rev.  W.  H. 
Pearce,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard, 
D.D.,  in  the  evening.  The  building,  in  connection  with  the  par- 
sonage, was  again  renovated,  repaired,  and  decorated  in  1901  at 
a  cost  of  $3,326,  and  was  reopened  on  Sunday,  January  5,  1902. 
Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  J.  H. 

56  . 


882 


Wyoming  Conference 


Bickford  in  the  evening.  A  total  of  $1,500  was  raised  during 
the  day. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1877,  and  enlarged  in  1879,  and 
again  in  188 1  at  a  cost  of  $800. 

In  1883  a  $2,000  mortgage  was  paid.  In  raising  funds  for 
this  purpose  the  pastor  visited  a  number  of  churches,  solicited 
aid,  and  received  it  liberally.  In  1885  $400,  and  in  1886  $1,000 
was  paid  on  indebtedness. 

This  place  formed  a  part  of  Newport  and  Hanover  Circuits. 
It  and  West  Nanticoke  were  cut  off  and  constituted  a  charge  in 
1875.    In  1887  West  Nanticoke  became  a  charge. 

This  church  was  a  party  to  one  of  the  rare  events  in  our 
Conference  history.  Its  pastor,  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead,  died 
October  12,  1888,  and  Rev.  William  Bixby,  a  superannuate 
seventy-five  years  old,  was  sent  to  fill  out  the  year.  Such  satis- 
faction was  given  that  the  church  asked  that  he  be  made  effective 
and  appointed  as  its  pastor  in  1889,  which  was  done.  He  did  not 
live,  however,  to  complete  the  year,  dying  in  December,  1889. 
Rev.  G.  M.  Peck  filled  out  the  year. 

This  church  has  experienced  many  revival  seasons. 

In  1874  Rev.  G.  M.  Colville  served  this  place  and  West  Nan- 
ticoke, the  latter  place  being  named  in  the  Minutes  as  the 
appointment. 

Pastorates 

1875,  A.  W.  Hood;  1876-78,  T.  C.  Roskelly;  1879,  Levi  Jenni- 
son;  1880,  W.  Treible;  1881-83,  W.  J.  Hill;  1884,  F.  Gendall; 
1885-86,  G.  C.  Lyman;  1887-88^^,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  i888>^-89j^, 
William  Bixby;  1889^^,  balance  of  year,  G.  M.  Peck;  1890-94, 
George  Forsyth;  1895-96,  J.  B.  Sumner;  1897-98,  C.  M.  Surdam; 
1899-1901,  J.  Bradshaw;  1902-03,  L.  C.  Floyd. 

NoxEN,  Pa. 

The  appointments  on  this  charge  were  a  part  of  the  Center- 
moreland  Circuit  prior  to  their  becoming  a  charge  in  1895.  The 
Noxen  society  had  its  origin  in  a  class  formed  on  Bowman's 
Creek  some  time  prior  to  1840.  In  these  early  days  the  society 
was  ministered  to  by  Oliver  Lewis,  Abraham  Frear,  and  James 
Phoenix,  faithful  local  preachers.  The  first  society  was  formed 
in  an  old  log  schoolhouse,  and  afterward  the  services  were  moved 
to  the  ''red  schoolhouse,"  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  Noxen. 
In  1861  the  Centermoreland  pastor  held  services  in  this  school- 
house  biweekly  on  a  week-day  evening.   In  1883  the  services  were 


Stull,  Pa. 


883 


moved,  by  vote  of  the  congregation,  to  the  "little  white  school- 
house"  in  Noxen.  During  the  year  a  subscription  was  circulated 
for  the  building  of  a  church.  The  lot  was  purchased  of  David  H. 
Montanye  for  $100.  The  church,  which  cost  $1,000,  was  dedi- 
cated in  December,  1886.  In  1899  the  church  was  reseated  and 
refurnished. 

Revivals  in  1897,  1898,  and  1900  have  greatly  strengthened 
this  society. 

Stull.  Rev.  James  Phoenix,  a  local  preacher,  as  long  ago  as 
the  seventies,  used  to  preach  in  the  little  old  schoolhouse  which 
stood  in  front  of  where  the  present  school  building  stands. 
The  building  was  rude,  without  paint  or  plaster,  and  the  seats 
were  hemlock  benches.  Mr.  Phoenix  served  without  remunera- 
tion, and  lived  below  Noxen,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his 
son  Clarence.  When  he  became  too  feeble  to-  preach  the  society 
had  no  preaching  from  a  Methodist  Episcopal  preacher  for  a 
long  time.  The  Protestant  Methodists  then  began  holding 
services,  first  in  the  little  old  schoolhouse,  then  in  the  white 
schoolhouse,  and  subsequently  in  the  present  schoolhouse.  In 
1892  the  Protestant  Methodist  pastor.  Rev.  Joseph  Anderson, 
was  not  faithful  to  his  duties,  and  there  was  no  preaching  at  all 
here  for  several  months.  In  the  spring  of  that  year,  through  the 
influence  of  Mrs.  B.  M.  Stone,  the  Centermoreland  pastor  went 
to  Stull  and  preached  several  times.  Finding  that  he  could  not 
well  attend  to  this  addition  to  his  work,  he  sent  Mr.  J.  H. 
Brunges,  who  was  teaching  at  Centermoreland,  to  take  care  of 
this  work,  preaching  on  Sundays.  In  the  winter  of  that  year 
Rev.  W.  R.  Cochrane  conducted  a  revival  here  with  good  results. 

The  few  members  of  the  Noxen  class  who  lived  at  Stull  trans- 
ferred their  membership  to  the  Stull  class.  These,  with  the  new 
converts,  constituted  the  first  class  in  Stull. 

Through  Mrs.  B.  M.  Stone  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  or- 
ganized for  the  purpose  of  conserving  the  work.  Some  money 
was  raised  by  the  society,  and  a  desire  for  a  church  began  to  be 
felt.  This,  however,  was  in  the  early  part  of  1892.  The  ladies 
had  deposited  $100  in  the  Rockafellow  Bank  of  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
in  its  failure  lost  the  $100.  This  somewhat  discouraged  the 
society.  After  a  while  some  more  funds  accumulated,  part  of 
which  was  used  to  purchase  an  organ  and  the  Bible  now  in  use 
on  the  pulpit.  Rev.  C.  D.  Skinner,  a  student  at  Wyoming 
Seminary,  served  this  people  in  1893-94,  receiving  $100  per 
year. 


884 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  church  was  dedicated  on  October  29,  1899.  Rev.  A. 
Griffin,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  from  2  Chron.  vi,  18; 
Rev.  W.  R.  Cochrane  in  the  afternoon  from  John  iii,  13,  14;  and 
Rev.  C.  B.  Henry  in  the  evening  from  Mark  iv,  28.  The  lot  was 
a  gift  from  the  A.  Lewis  Lumber  Company,  who  built  the  church 
and  contributed  largely  to  the  success  of  the  enterprise.  The 
cash  outlay  was  $700,  $117  of  which  was  raised  on  the  day 
of  dedication.  The  building  committee  consisted  of  Edward 
Transue,  Jr.,  Frank  Britton,  Charles  Deubler,  and  William 
Austin. 

The  parsonage  was  bought  in  1898,  to  be  paid  for  in  install- 
ments. 

Revival  work  in  1895  and  1897  added  strength  to  the  society. 
There  has  been  a  Sunday  school  here  since  early  in  the  seven- 
ties, though  it  did  not  continue  through  the  year  until  1891. 

Pastorates 

1895-96,  John  Humphrey;  1897,  E.  B.  Singer;  1898-99,  Harry 
Kelly;  1900-02,  A.  H.  Brink;  1903,  P.  M.  Mott. 

Old  Forge,  Pa. 

This  society  formed  a  part  of  the  Lackaw^anna  charge  until  it 
became  a  charge  in  1898. 

The  lots  for  the  church  were  secured  from  E.  Drake,  of  Old 
Forge,  who  sold  the  society  one  lot  and  donated  the  other.  Mr. 
Drake  contributed  in  many  ways  to  the  success  of  the  church 
enterprise.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  Friday,  April  22,  1892, 
at  2  p.  M.,  by  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.  Revs.  B.  L  Ives  and  L.  C. 
Floyd  were  present  and  made  addresses.  An  audience  of  four 
hundred  gathered  to  witness  the  laying  of  the  stone.  The  church, 
which  cost  $3,000,  was  dedicated  on  April  22,  1897.  Rev.  O.  L, 
Severson,  Ph.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  from  Hab.  iii,  19 ;  Rev. 
J.  H.  Race  preached  in  the  afternoon  from  i  Cor.  xi,  14 ;  and  Rev. 
J.  G.  Eckman,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  evening  and  conducted  the 
dedicatory  services.  The  sum  of  $859  was  raised  during  the 
day.  George  Saftord  gave  the  pulpit,  which  he  made  himself 
out  of  an  old  historic  tree. 

The  society  was  incorporated  on  November  17,  1892,  with 
James  Blease,  Frederick  Cox,  Henry  Garbutt,  Ebenezer  Drake, 
Patton  Taylor,  John  A.  Wood,  and  Isaac  Addison  trustees. 

In  1901  a  mine  cave-in  underneath  the  church  tore  down  the 
chimney  and  did  considerable  damage. 


Parsons,  Pa. 


885 


Pastorates 

1898,  R.  H.  Rcidy;  1899-1900,  S.  Davis;  1901,  R.  H.  Rcidy; 
1902,  J.  Underwood;  1903,  Frank  Riich. 

Parsons,  Pa. 

This  society  was  organized  on  June  i,  1872,  in  the  schoolhouse. 
The  class  formed  a  part  of  Plains  charge  until  it  became  a  charge 
itself  in  1874.  The  following  persons  were  constituted  a  build- 
ing committee :  Calvin  Parsons,  D.  W.  Kemble,  John  D.  Colvin, 
O.  C.  Barnard,  Simon  Decks,  F.  M.  Decks,  and  Rev.  N.  J. 
Hawley.     On  July  5,   1872,  Mr.  Calvin  Parsons  gave  the 


parsons  church 


society,  a  lot  50x100  feet  on  Olive  Street.  He  also  gave  $1,000 
toward  the  building  fund,  and  presented  the  corner  stone, 
which  was  laid  in  November,  1872.  The  committee  decided  to 
build  a  church  of  wood  44x60  feet,  with  a  bell  tower  10x16  feet, 
and  a  basement  of  stone  and  brick.  The  contract  for  the  base- 
ment was  given  to  Jeremiah  Shiffer  on  July  6,  and  on  October 
14,  1872,  the  contract  for  the  superstructure  was  given  to  Mark 
Wilson  for  $3,765,    The  church  was  not  completed  at  this  time, 


886 


Wyoming  Conference 


but  the  basement  was  fitted  up,  and  the  society  began  using  it  for 
church  work  in  1873. 

''The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Parsons"  was  incor- 
porated on  April  11,  1876,  with  John  D.  Colvin,  Simon  Decks, 
John  Anderson,  T.  M.  Smith,  S.  W.  Franklin,  and  O.  C.  Barnard 
trustees.  On  December  30,  1880,  the  society  by  action  of  court 
changed  its  corporate  name  to  'The  Abbott  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Parsons,"  in  recognition  of  the  fact  that  Rev.  W.  P. 
Abbott  was  born  near  there. 

A  jubilee  meeting  was  held  on  January  29,  1882,  over  can- 
celing a  one-thousand-dollar  note,  held  by  the  Church  Extension 
Society,  with  interest,  making  a  total  of  $1,190.  The  amount 
was  raised  and  a  surplus  of  $200. 

After  ten  years  of  struggle  the  auditorium  was  completed, 
costing  $1,524,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  on  March  15,  1883. 
Revs.  C.  P.  Masden  and  Dr.  Hodge,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  preached 
the  sermons  of  the  day.  Rev.  A.  Griffin  managed  the  finances, 
raising  $700,  enough  to  complete  the  fund  desired  and  to  repaint 
the  church  and  repair  the  basement,  and  conducted  the  dedicatory 
service. 

In  1886  a  cyclone  took  off  the  church  steeple  and  otherwise 
damaged  the  building.    The  repairs  at  this  time  cost  $650. 

At  the  time  the  church  was  built  the  trustees  borrowed  $800 
of  Samuel  McBride  and  gave  their  note  for  that  amount.  Pay- 
ments had  been  made  on  it  until  it  was  reduced  to  $600.  Rev.  H. 
Brownscombe  collected  enough  to  cancel  the  note.  When  he 
went  to  settle  with  him  he  learned  that  ]\Ir.  McBride  had  gone 
to  Europe,  and  it  was  reported  that  the  vessel  upon  which  he 
took  passage  was  lost,  and  he  with  it.  He  was  a  bachelor  without 
heirs.  The  church  never  expected  to  hear  from  the  matter  again, 
and  allowed  the  money  to  be  used  for  other  things.  Nothing 
had  been  heard  from  McBride  during  fifteen  years.  One  day 
in  1 89 1  he  appeared  at  Parsons  with  an  attorney  and  demanded 
payment  on  the  note,  which  now  amounted  to  $1,559.  Calvin 
Parsons,  a  Presbyterian  elder,  who  had  been  a  great  friend 
to  the  church,  offered  $500  to  help  the  society  out  of  its  un- 
expected distress,  and  before  Conference  in  1892  the  pastor  had 
secured  the  total  amount,  lacking  only  $36,  which  was  soon  after 
raised. 

On  Wednesday,  December  19,  1894,  after  an  expenditure  of 
$2,500  in  repairs,  the  church  was  reopened.  Bishop  E.  G.  An- 
drews preached  in  the  afternoon  from  Matt,  xvi,  18,  and  Rev. 
J.  S.  Breckinridge,  D.D.,  in  the  evening  from  i  Cor.  xiv,  40. 


PiTTSTON,  Pa. 


887 


Revivals  have  occurred  from  time  to  time  which  have  strength- 
ened the  society. 

The  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1899,  and  is  valued  at  $1,300. 

Pastorates 

1874-75,  G.  M.  Chamberlain;  1876-79,  H.  Brownscombe; 
1880-82,  George  Greenfield;  1883-85,  E.  L.  Santee;  1886-87, 
Y.  C.  Smith;  1888-89,  S.  J.  Austin;  1890-91,  H.  G.  Harned; 
1892-96,  W.  H.  Hiller;  1897-1900,  F.  A.  King;  1901,  W.  M. 
Hiller;  1902-03,  J.  L.  Thomas. 

PiTTSTON,  Pa. 

We  can  do  no  better  than  to  quote  extensively  from  a  letter 
written  to  the  Northern  Christian  Advocate  on  February  12,  1878, 
by  E.  Blackman  in  his  ninety-first  year: 

"There  was  a  class  formed  in  the  town  of  Pittston,  which  then 
extended  some  ten  miles  from  southwest  to  northeast,  consisting 
of  Roger  Searle,  leader,  Lucy  Drake,  Mr.  Miles  and  wife,  Jared 


OLD  CHURCH,  PITTSTON 


Marcy  and  wife,  Jesse  Gardner  and  wife,  Elizabeth  Bennett  and 
Sarah  Collins.  [Pittston  was  one  of  the  appointments  on  the 
Wyoming  Circuit.  Work  was  opened  up  here  about  1791,  and 
the  class  mentioned  above  was  formed  in  1806.]  To  this  were 
added  by  conversion,  at  a  camp  meeting  held  at  the  head  of  the 
valley  opposite  Pittston  in  1809,  Clarissa  Searle,  daughter,  and 
Mary  and  Fanny  Searle,  nieces,  of  Roger  Searle. 


888 


Wyoming  Conference 


"At  that  time  G.  Lane  and  A.  Dawson  were  on  the  Wyoming 
Circuit,  of  which  Pittston  was  a  part.  Roger  Searle  died  in  May, 
1813.  Jared  Marcy  and  Jesse  Gardner  died  shortly  after,  and  Mr. 
Miles  and  wife  moved  away,  as  did  many  others.  No  class 
existed  from  that  time  in  what  is  now  East  and  West  Pittston 
Boroughs  until  1843,  of  which  I  shall  hereafter  speak;  but  there 
were  quite  large  classes  at  Thompson  schoolhouse,  two  miles 
below,  and  Marcy  schoolhouse,  two  miles  above.  [It  is  said 
that  in  18 12  the  Pittston  class  got  into  some  ''confusion,"  and 
John  Kimberlin,  one  of  the  preachers  on  Wyoming  Circuit, 
burned  the  class  book  and  informed  the  members  that  they  were 
all  turned  out  of  the  Church,  and  if  any  of  them  would  behave 
like  Christians  and  Methodists  they  might  join  again.  Rev. 
George  Peck,  on  August  20,  1818,  preached  at  the  home  of 
Ebenezer  Marcy,  near  the  site  of  Pittston  Borough,  and  subse- 
quently made  the  Marcy  house  a  regular  preaching  place.]  It 
was  at  the  latter  place,  then  a  part  of  Pittston  Circuit,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1832,  myself  and  wife  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Rev.  Samuel  Griffin  being  on  the  charge.  We  then  re- 
sided in  what  is  now  Taylorville,  two  miles  above,  where  my  wife 
died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith,  December  4,  1833. 

"In  the  month  of  January,  1834,  I  returned  to  Pittston.  I  was 
the  only  male  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
present  territory  of  East  and  West  Pittston.  Betsy  Brown  and 
her  orphan  girl,  Lizzie  Fell,  were  the  female  members.  They 
had  their  membership  at  the  Marcy  Schoolhouse,  Rufus  Miller 
leader,  while  I  had  mine  at  the  Thompson  Schoolhouse,  Father 
Yates  leader.  [This  class  was  organized  in  1828,  by  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Castle,  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Thompson,  who  lived  near 
Yatesville.]    In  the  spring  of  1843  Samuel  Bennedict,  Mrs. 

James  Helm,  William  Thompson,  members,  Miss  Eveline  Benne- 
dict and  John  Collins,  probationers,  with  myself  as  leader,  were 
formed  into  a  class  at  the  Central  Schoolhouse  in  North  Pittston, 
by  the  Rev.  William  Round,  then  in  charge  of  the  Pittston  Circuit. 
The  class  soon  doubled  and  trebled  and  was  the  nucleus  from 
which  the  East  and  West  Pittston  and  Yatesville  churches  have 
grown  to  their  present  dimensions.  A  gracious  revival  under 
the  Rev.  E.  Owen  soon  followed,  and  a  class  was  formed  at 
Hamtown,  Rev.  James  Brown,  a  local  preacher,  leader.  Among 
the  fruits  of  this  revival  were  William  Ford  and  John  D.  Stark, 
who  became  pillars  of  the  church  and  who  afterward,  as  did  also 
Father  Yates,  Brothers  George  Price  and  Isaac  Thompson,  of 
the  class  below,  aided  much  by  their  ample  means  in  building  the 


PiTTSTON,  Pa. 


889 


East  Pittston  church.  David  P.  Richard,  in  1847,  succeeded  me 
as  leader,  and  the  class  was  moved  downtown,  where  the  lousiness 
and  population  centered.  The  late  Rev.  E.  F.  Ferris  succeeded 
Brother  Richard  as  leader.  Another  class  was  formed  at  this 
time,  of  which  J.  S.  Wood  was  appointed  leader." 

A  building  committee  was  appointed  in  1846  consisting  of 
James  McFarlane,  John  D.  Stark,  and  Elisha  Blackman.  A  lot 
on  the  corner  of  Church  and  Broad  Streets  was  given  the  society, 
on  condition  that  a  church  should  be  erected,  by  Johnson  and 
Bennett.  The  deed  was  executed  on  May  19,  185 1,  and  is  from 
Abel  Bennett,  Jr.,  and  his  wife  Adelaide  to  Edwin  Ferris,  Elisha 
Blackman,  James  McFarlane,  David  Richards,  William  Ford, 
Francis  Yates,  Francis  Watson,  Isaac  Thompson,  and  Miner 
Swallow,  trustees  of  the  society.    Another  writer  says: 

"In  1849  Pittston  Circuit  was  divided,  and  Hyde  Park,  Slocum 
Hollow,  and  Providence  formed  one  charge  and  Pittston  and 
Plains  another.  At  this  time  there  was  no  church  building  owned 
by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Pittston,  but  there  was  a 
small  brick  church  at  the  Plains.  The  society  at  Pittston  wor- 
shiped in  a  chapel  owned  by  the  Welsh  Methodists,  which  was 
gfiven  free  of  charge.  Meetings  were  also  held  in  the  schoolhouse 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  village.  The  society  owned  a  lot  on  which 
a  foundation  had  been  built,  and  the  enterprise  had  gone  no 
further.  The  foundation  was  too  small.  More  ground  was  given 
by  the  Coal  Company.  The  pastor,  Asa  Brooks,  appointed  a 
building  committee  with  power.  The  foundation  was  laid  by  in- 
dividual subscribers.  The  brickwork  was  done  by  Quick  &  Co., 
of  Wilkes-Barre.  Stone  for  foundation  was  quarried  from  Father 
Yates's  farm  and  drawn  by  volunteers.  Lumber  was  bought  of 
raftsmen  on  the  river  as  they  were  going  down.  The  church  was 
finished  before  the  close  of  the  Conference  year." 

This  last  statement  can  hardly  be  true.  The  Conference  year 
closed  August  i,  1850,  and  the  church  was  not  dedicated  until 
December,  1850,  by  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard. 

After  an  expenditure  of  $4,000  in  building  a  Sunday  school 
room  on  the  rear  of  the  church  and  otherwise  improving  the 
building  it  was  reopened  on  Sunday,  October  15,  1871,  by  Rev. 
W.  H.  Olin.  In  1885  $800  was  spent  on  the  interior  of  the 
church. 

The  first  parsonage  was  built  in  1850  or  185 1,  on  Parsonage 
Street,  a  mile  from  the  church,  on  ground  donated  by  the  Penn- 
sylvania Coal  Company.  This  property  was  sold  in  1866,  and  a 
house  and  lot  on  the  corner  of  Church  and  Broad  Streets, 


890 


Wyoming  Conference 


directly  opposite  the  church,  bought  for  $4,600.  The  present 
parsonage  was  built  just  below  the  last-named  parsonage  on 
Broad  Street  in  1896,  costing  $3,300. 

The  old  church  has  been  sold  to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  for  $8,000, 
and  a  new  church  is  being  built  on  the  opposite  corner,  occupying 
the  site  of  the  old  parsonage,  which  will  cost  about  $22,000  when 
completed.  Class  24  of  the  Sunday  school  has  raised  $4,000 
toward  the  enterprise.  The  society  is  worshiping  in  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  hall  during  the  building  of  the  church. 

A  camp  meeting  was  held  in  1809  a  short  distance  from  the 


Luzerne  House  in  West  Pittston.  In  August,  i860,  a  camp 
meeting  was  held  on  Everhart's  Island,  seventy  tents  being  pitched 
on  the  ground.   ^leetings  were  held  here  also  in  1862  and  1863. 

Pittston  entertained  WVoming  Conference  in  1858. 

When  West  Pittston  was  set  off  it  about  equally  divided  the 
membership,  and  when  Yatesville  was  set  off  it  took  thirty-five 
members. 

Extensive  revivals  were  witnessed  in  1856,  1864-65,  and  1870. 
The  greatest,  however,  in  the  history  of  the  charge  was  in  1876. 


1831,  Jonathan  M.  Brooks;  1832,  Samuel  Griffin;  1833,  E. 
Smith;  1834,  Marmaduke  Pearce;  1835,  S.  B.  Yarrington ;  1836, 
C.  W.  Giddings;  1837-38,  P.  G.  White;  1839-40,  B.  ElHs ;  1841, 
Thomas  Wilcox,  Henry  Pilbeam ;  1842,  W.  Round;  1843,  E. 
Owen;  1844,  Ira  Wilcox,  J.  D.  Safford ;  1845,  E.  B.  Tenney; 
1846,  John  Mulkey;  1847,  John  Mulkey,  Z.  Kellogg  (called 


NEW  CHURCH,  PITTSTON 


Pastorates 


Plains,  Pa. 


891 


Lackawanna  from  1843-47);  1848,  Erastus  Smith;  1849,  Asa 
Brooks;  1850-51,  C.  W.  Giddings ;  1852,  G.  M.  Peck,  A.  H. 
Schoonmaker;  1853,  G.  M.  Peck;  1854,  T.  D.  Walker;  1855,  L. 
Cole;  1856-57,  S.  Stocking;  1858-59,  A.  P.  Mead;  1860-61,  G.  M. 
Peck;  1862-63,  O.  M.  McDowall;  1864-66,  W.  J.  Judd;  1867-69, 
Y.  C.  Smith;  1870-72,  I.  T.  Walker;  1873-75,  Thomas  Harroun; 
1876-78,  J.  O.  Woodruff;  1879,  L-  W.  Peck;  1880-81,  S.  C. 
Fulton;  1882-84,  H.  H.  Dresser;  1885-86,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1887- 
90,  W.  J.  Hill;  1891,  P.  J.  Kain;  1892,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1893-94, 
J.  B.  Sumner;  1895,  G.  C.  Lyman;  1896-98,  John  Bradshaw; 
1899-1903,  C.  M.  Surdam. 

Plains,  Pa. 

Plains  was  formerly  called  Jacob's  Plains,  from  the  name  of 
an  Indian  chief  who  once  lived  here  with  his  people. 

William  Colbert  mentions  preaching  at  Jesse  Gardner's  on  the 
Plains  in  1798.  This  is  the  first  mention  of  Methodist  services 
in  this  place.  In  1801,  under  the  labors  of  Ephraim  Chambers,  a 
revival  occurred  in  this  place.    It  is  claimed  that  Roger  Searle, 


PLAINS  CHURCH 


one  of  the  converts,  was  baptized  in  the  winter  by  immersion,  a 
hole  being  cut  in  the  ice  for  the  purpose. 

The  interests  of  Methodism  here  were  cared  for  by  the  pastors 
on  Wyoming  Circuit  until  Wilkes-Barre  became  a  charge,  when 
the  Wilkes-Barre  pastor  looked  after  the  interests  of  the  class. 

On  April  11,  1843,  ^he  society  met  at  the  schoolhouse  (the 
schoolhouse  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  one,  nearly  opposite 


892 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  present  church,  and  was  the  usual  place  of  worship  for  the 
class;  Plains  at  that  time  was  part  of  Wilkes-Barre  township) 
for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  building  of  a  church,  James 
Hancock,  James  Stark,  John  Abbott,  Jonathan  R.  Williams,  War- 
ren Wilcox,  Ezra  Williams,  William  Apple,  Samuel  Wilcox,  John 
Searles,  William  Abbott,  B.  Bailey,  D.  G.  Bailey,  Benjamin  Cort- 
right,  and  S.  F.  Abbott  being  present.  Rev.  John  Leys,  preacher 
in  charge,  acted  as  chairman,  and  D.  G.  Bailey  secretary.  They 
decided  that  they  were  able  and  willing  to  build  a  meetinghouse. 
After  considerable  debate  as  to  whether  it  should  be  a  union 
house  or  not  it  was  decided  that  it  should  be  a  Methodist  Epis- 
copal house,  'Svith  the  understanding  that  all  truly  religious  de- 
nominations of  Christians  have  a  right  to  occupy  the  house  by 
asking  and  obtaining  leave  of  the  trustees  at  any  time  that  may 
not  interfere  with  the  regular  appointments  of  the  Methodist 
preacher  in  charge." 

At  a  meeting  on  April  15,  at  2  p.  m.,  James  Stark,  John  Carey, 
and  James  Hancock  were  appointed  a  building  committee.  A 
contract  was  made  with  Gilbert  Barnes  to  build  the  church  for 
$940,  exclusive  of  foundation,  and  the  contractor  agreed  to  col- 
lect his  pay  from  the  subscribers.  The  church  was  built  on  a 
lot,  north  of  the  parsonage,  donated  by  John  Carey,  and  subse- 
quently moved  to  its  present  location.  This  church  was  dedicated 
on  December  14,  1843,  by  Rev.  Silas  Comfort. 

On  July  7,  1843,  Benjamin  Bailey,  John  Carey,  James  Stark, 
John  Searle,  and  William  Apple  were  elected  trustees,  who  sub- 
sequently organized  by  making  John  Carey  chairman,  James 
Stark  secretary,  and  Benjamin  Bailey  treasurer. 

An  extraordinary  revival  broke  out  in  the  society  in  1854.  It 
was  small  in  numbers  and  still  connected  with  Wilkes-Barre. 
Dr.  George  Peck  says  he  preached  here  in  a  little  old  church  on 
Sunday  afternoons.  ''J^^^^s  Stark,  John  Carey,  and  Jacob 
Saunders,  with  a  few  women,  constituted  the  active  force  of  the 
little  society."  Father  ]\Ioister,  a  venerable  local  preacher,  was 
frequently  sent  to  fill  this  afternoon  appointment.  While  he  was 
preaching  one  Sunday  afternoon  a  large  number  of  penitents  pre- 
sented themselves  at  the  altar.  Meetings  were  held  three  weeks 
with  great  success.  The  next  year  the  church  at  Plains  became  a 
charge. 

On  June  27,  1875,  after  expending  $2,200  in  repairing  the 
church,  it  was  reopened.  Rev.  G.  R.  Hair  preaching  morning  and 
evening,  and  $988  was  raised  to  liquidate  indebtedness  and  put 
hymnals  in  the  pews. 


Plymouth,  Pa. 


893 


The  corner  stone  for  the  present  church  was  laid  on  Thursday, 
July  12,  1883,  at  2  p.  M.,  by  Rev.  A.  Griffin.  Addresses  were 
made  by  Revs.  A.  L.  Smalley  and  J.  O.  Woodruff.  The  church, 
which  cost  $10,000,  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  July  10,  1884. 
Bishop  Ninde  preached  in  the  morning  from  i  Pet.  i,  8,  and  in 
the  evening  from  i  Cor.  xv,  58.  Rev.  A.  Griffin  conducted  the 
dedicatory  services.   A  total  of  $3,450  was  raised  durirtg  the  day. 

The  revivals  which  are  frequently  referred  to  were  those  of 
1867-69,  1870-72,  and  1886. 

The  parsonage  is  situated  beside  the  church. 

Parsons  and  Plainsville  were  with  this  charge  prior  to  becom- 
ing separate  charges. 

Miners'  Mills.  A  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  the  public 
school  building  in  1897.  In  the  spring  of  1898  a  dwelling  on 
Mock  Street  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $2,200. 

Partitions  were  removed,  the  inside  remodeled  into  an  audience 
and  infant  class  room,  seated  with  chairs,  and  an  organ  purchased, 
the  whole  costing  about  $800.  Rev.  J.  N.  Lee  preached  the  first 
sermon  in  the  building  on  the  first  Sunday  previous  to  the  Con- 
ference of  1898.  The  society  became  incorporate  as  "The 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Miners'  Mills"  on  June  i,  1898, 
with  W.  Skidmore,  Benjamin  Chandler,  W.  A.  Gnotin,  Joseph 
Rae,  W.  Lathrop,  G.  Burt,  and  Joseph  Moore  trustees.  The 
society  is  being  supplied  this  year  by  a  local  preacher,  and  will 
probably  become  a  separate  charge. 

Pastorates 

1854,  R.  Moister;  1855,  S.  M.  Bronson;  1856,  J.  K.  Peck; 
1857-58,  H.  Wheeler;  1859-60,  L.  Peck;  1861-62,  W.  Keatley; 
1863,  M.  Swallow;  1864-65,  J.  S.  Lewis;  1866,  J.  D.  Woodruff; 
1867-69,  F.  A.  King;  1870-72,  N.  J.  Hawley;  1873-75,  W.  J. 
Hill;  1876-78,  H.  H.  Dresser;  1879-81,  J.  L.  Race;  1882,  J.  W. 
Mevis;  1883-85,  N.  S.  Reynolds;  1886-87,  H.  B.  Johnson;  1888, 
S.  Elwell;  1889-92,  J.  F.  Williams;  1893-97,  J.  N.  Lee;  1898,  F. 
Gendall;  1899-1900,  F.  D.  Hartsock;  1901-03,  C.  H.  Sackett. 

Plymouth,  Pa. 

The  Ross  Hill  class  with  its  revival  work  was  felt  in  Shawney 
(Plymouth),  a  few  miles  below.  We  are  at  sea  as  to  the  time 
in  which  the  class  was  formed  at  Shawney;  one  writer  claims  it 
was  1789  and  another  1791.  The  first  writer  states  that  the  class 
met  at  Widow  Coleman's  house — an  old  stone  house  in  the  lower 


894 


Wyoming  Conference 


end  of  town,  built  in  1774  or  1775,  and  better  known  as  the 
"French  House."  The  other  states  that  ''Rev.  Noah  Wadhams, 
who  came  from  Litchfield,  Conn.,  in  1789,  was  originally  a  Con- 
gregationalist,  but  soon  after  settling  in  Plymouth  became  a 
Methodist  and  united  with  that  Church  at  the  forming  of  a  class 
in  1 79 1."  "The  following  are  known  to  have  been  members  of 
this  society  prior  to  1795  :  Noah  Wadhams,  Moses  W^adhams, 
Calvin  Wadhams,  Mrs.  Benjamin  Harvey,  Mrs.  Turner,  ^Irs. 


Davenport,  ]\Irs.  Pugh,  Joshua  Pugh,  Peter  Pugh,  and  Thomas 
Pringle." 

This  territory  was  a  part  of  the  Newburgh  Circuit  prior  to  the 
formation  of  Wyoming  Circuit  in  1791.  Nathaniel  B.  Mills  was 
on  the  circuit  in  1789,  and  Joseph  Lovell  in  1790.  They  made 
infrequent  visits  to  this  territory,  and  probably  visited  Plymouth. 
From  1 79 1  to  its  becoming  a  charge  in  1854  Plymouth  was  a 
part  of  Wyoming  Circuit. 

On  Sunday,  April  28,  1793,  William  Colbert  preached  at  the 
house  of  Captain  Ransom  in  Shawney  in  the  evening.  Mr.  Col- 
bert says  in  his  journal:  "]\Irs.  Ransom  is  a  daughter  of  afflic- 
tions ;  she  was  desirous  of  having  preaching  and  being  baptized, 
with  her  four  children.  I  thank  God  I  have  been  enabled  to 
speak  with  freedom  to-day." 


PLYMOUTH  CHURCH 


Plymouth,  Pa. 


895 


William  Colbert  heard  Valentine  Cook,  presiding  elder  of  the 
district,  preach  here  on  Friday,  December  6,  1793.  Calvin  Wad- 
hams,  son  of  Rev.  Noah  Wadhams,  was  converted  at  this  season 
under  Mr.  Cook's  labors. 

It  is  claimed  that  Ashbel  Waller,  a  local  preacher  who  lived 
at  Carytown,  two  miles  below  Wilkes-Barre,  did  much  by  his 
labors  toward  establishing  Methodism  in  Plymouth. 

**The  first  family  in  Plymouth  brought  thoroughly  under  the 
influence  of  Methodism  was  the  Coleman  family." 

Meetings  were  held  in  barns,  private  houses,  and  the  school- 
house  until  the  erection  of  the  Academy  in  181 5.  This  building 
was  a  two-story  building,  the  lower  used  for  school  work,  and 
the  upper  fitted  up  for  religious  worship.  Calvin  Wadhams  con- 
tributed much  toward  the  erection  of  the  building.  This  was  the 
only  church  in  Plymouth  for  over  forty  years.  The  Methodists 
used  this  building  until  going  into  their  church,  paying  an  annual 
rental  for  the  same  of  one  ear  of  com. 

The  first  Methodist  church  was  erected  in  1856,  Revs.  J.  B. 
Wakeley  and  William  Wyatt  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermons. 
It  was  the  day  of  small  things  as  compared  with  the  present, 
there  being  but  a  few  members  and  poor.  "It  required  great 
sacrifice  on  their  part  to  pay  for  the  structure,  but  they  did  it, 
and  rejoiced  in  a  church  of  their  own.  Soon  after  the  dedication 
a  village  camp  meeting  was  held,  at  which  many  were  converted." 

During  J.  A.  Wood's  pastorate  in  Wilkes-Barre,  1862-63,  a 
great  revival  occurred.  "Among  the  notable  conversions  was 
that  of  Caleb  Wright,  a  distinguished  lawyer,  whose  home  had 
been  in  Plymouth,  and  whose  mother  still  lived  there  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-four.  She  had  always  prayed  that  her  son 
might  be  converted  and  preach  the  Gospel.  After  his  conversion 
he  was  licensed  a  local  preacher,  and  was  much  sought  after  to 
preach  on  special  occasions.  Arrangements  were  made  for  him 
to  preach  in  Plymouth,  where  his  mother  could  hear  him.  The 
day  appointed  arrived.  A  carriage  was  dispatched  to  bring  the 
aged  mother  to  the  house  of  God,  but  before  it  arrived  she  started 
on  foot,  and  reached  the  church  before  the  vehicle.  When  her 
son  began  his  sermon  the  old  lady  began  to  shout  and  praise  God, 
then  arose,  stepped  into  the  aisle,  walked  to  the  platform,  and 
embraced  her  son,  while  the  congregation  were  deeply  affected 
and  moved  to  tears.  Returning  to  her  seat,  she  listened  through- 
out the  sermon  with  great  interest." 

In  the  spring  of  1865  the  town  was  flooded,  and  Moses  Wad- 
hams took  Rev.  Mr.  Eckman  and  his  family  out  of  the  parsonage 


896 


Wyoming  Conference 


in  a  boat,  and  took  them  to  his  own  home  and  kept  them  until  the 
flood  subsided. 

In  1866  the  first  parsonage  was  built,  parsonages  having  been 
rented  before  this.  A  lot  was  secured  on  Main  Street  and  a 
house  erected,  which  was  used  until  the  present  house  beside  the 
church  was  built  in  1889,  costing  $3,500,  when  it  was  sold. 

In  the  spring  of  1876  it  was  found  necessary  to  build  a  larger 
church.  "All  entered  enthusiastically  into  the  plan.  The  old  build- 
ing was  sold  to  J.  B.  Smith,  who  removed  it  to  Forty  Fort,  where 
it  now  stands.  The  Rev.  L.  Cole,  a  former  pastor,  preached  the 
farewell  sermon  in  the  old  church.  The  new  enterprise  was  pushed 
vigorously,  the  corner  stone  being  laid  early  in  the  fall  with 
appropriate  ceremonies,  Revs.  G.  R.  Hair,  W.  P.  White,  L.  B. 
Hyatt,  and  E.  W.  Caswell  officiating.  While  the  new  church 
was  being  erected  meetings  were  held  in  the  Episcopal  chapel 
adjoining.  With  the  week  of  prayer,  January,  1877,  revival 
meetings  began,  which  soon  compelled  removal  to  Smith's 
Opera  House  on  account  of  the  great  interest.  One  hundred  and 
thirty-five  united  with  the  IMethodists,  while  several  joined  the 
Presbyterians." 

The  church,  w-hich  cost  $32,000,  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday, 
January  9,  1878.  Bishop  Simpson  preached  in  the  morning  from 
Eph.  iii,  10,  and  Rev.  C.  H.  Fowler,  D.D.,  in  the  evening  from 
I  Cor.  xiii,  12.  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin,  D.D.,  conducted  the  dedicatory 
services.  The  sum  of  $22,000  was  raised  during  the  day,  the 
balance  having  been  previously  raised.  In  February  of  this  year 
a  revival  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  over  one  hundred  persons. 

In  1881-82  $13,000  of  indebtedness  was  paid. 

The  year  1884  was  one  doubly  marked — a  revival  resulted  in 
one  hundred  and  thirty -two  probationers,  and  typhoid  fever 
carried  ofif  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  people  of  the  town. 

In  1886  a  gracious  ingathering  took  place. 

From  1889  to  1893  the  church  gradually  strengthened,  and 
from  1894  to  1898  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  united  with  the 
church  from  probation,  and  $4,500  was  spent  in  a  new  organ, 
carpets,  interior  decorations,  etc. 

At  this  writing  a  Sunday  school  room,  75x55,  two  stories  high, 
built  of  brick  and  covered  with  cement,  is  being  added  to  the  rear 
of  the  church.  It  has  entrances  on  both  sides  of  the  church. 
This,  with  improvements  on  the  interior  of  the  church  and  con- 
templated improvements  in  the  parsonage,  will  cost  about  $16,000. 

About  1882  a  mission  was  established  in  East  Plymouth,  known 
as  Boston  Hill  Mission.    After  continuing  its  work  more  than 


Rendham,  Pa. 


897 


ten  years  the  little  chapel  which  had  been  erected  was  sold,  the 
proceeds  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  mother  church,  and  the  work 
discontinued. 

Pastorates 

1854,  A.  Bronson;  1855,  J.  Bradbury;  1856-57,  L.  Cole;  1858, 
A.  H.  Schoonmaker;  1859-60,  J.  W.  Hunger;  1861-62,  C.  L. 
Rice;  1863-64,  J.  G.  Eckman;  1865,  C.  W.  Todd;  1866-68,  Ira 
N.  Pardee;  1869-71,  J.  La  Bar;  1872-74,  L.  Cole;  1875,  S.  C. 
Fulton;  1876-78,  E.  W.  Caswell;  1879-80,  S.  F.  Brown;  1881-83, 
G.  M.  Colville;  1884-85,  1.  T.  Walker;  1886-88,  L.  C.  Floyd; 
1889-93,  J.  O.  Woodruff;  1894-98,  O.  L.  Severson;  1899-1901, 
W.  L.  Thorpe ;  1902-03,  J.  Bradshaw. 

Rendham,  Pa. 

This  society  was  a  part  of  the  Taylor  charge  for  a  while,  and 
was  supplied  by  students  from  Wyoming  Seminary  for  a  few 
years.    Work  was  begun  on  a  church  building  nearer  the  post 


RENDHAM  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


office  than  the  present  church  is,  but  was  abandoned  when  the 
present  church  was  offered. 

In  the  spring  of  1890  John  Stewart  and  wife  died  in  Scranton, 
Pa.,  and  were  both  buried  at  one  time.  Mrs.  L.  G.  Hesler,  Mrs. 
G.  B.  Kulp,  Mrs.  W.  D.  Loomis,  and  Mrs.  C.  B.  Scott,  daughters 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart,  donated  a  lot  from  the  Stewart  home- 
stead and  built  the  church  as  a  memorial  to  their  parents  and 
presented  it  to  the  society.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  Satur- 
day, October  10,  1891,  the  services  being  in  charge  of  Rev.  M.  S. 

57 


898 


Wyoming  Conference 


Hard,  D.D.  The  daughters  named  above  laid  the  stone.  Mrs. 
L.  G.  Hesler  was  the  originator  of  the  enterprise.  The  church 
was  dedicated  in  1892  by  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.  Shortly  after 
dedication  a  revival  occurred  in  which  over  seventy  souls  were 
saved. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1897  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.    In  1898 
$500  was  spent  in  still  further  improving  and  perfecting  it. 
The  Stewart  Memorial  Church  became  incorporated  in  1896. 

Pastorates 

1891,  J.  K.  Peck;  1892-93,  L.  E.  Van  Hoesen;  1894-95,  W.  R. 
Cochrane;  1896-97,  T.  M.  Furey;  1898-1903,  J.  L.  Race. 

SCRANTON,  Pa.  ASBURY 

A  union  service  was  held  on  a  Sunday  afternoon  in  June,  1873, 
in  the  Green  Ridge  depot  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal 
Company,  Mr.  Manville,  the  superintendent,  kindly  consenting 


ASBURY  CHURCH,  SCRANTON 


to  its  use  for  that  purpose.  The  audience  was  largely  composed 
of  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  church  members.  Rev.  J.  B. 
Fisher,  of  the  Providence  Presbyterian  Church,  officiated  at  this 


ASBURY,  SCRANTON 


899 


service,  and  the  following  Sunday  Rev.  W.  J.  Judd,  of  the  Provi- 
dence Methodist  Church,  conducted  the  service.  These  services 
were  continued  about  three  years,  Methodist  and  Presbyterian 
pastors  alternating  in  the  preaching  services,  and  were  well 
attended. 

About  the  time  the  Presbyterian  church  on  the  corner  of  Green 
Ridge  Street  and  Monsey  Avenue  was  finished  (this  building  is 
now  owned  by  the  Episcopalians)  the  Good  Templars'  Hall  on 
Dickson  Avenue  was  fitted  up.  This  hall  was  in  the  second  story 
of  the  building  now  occupied  by  G.  W.  Hornbaker,  1542  Dick- 
son Avenue.  The  Methodists  leased  this  hall  for  $60  per  year, 
having  the  use  of  it  for  one  preaching  service,  one  prayer  meeting, 
and  one  Sunday  school  session  each  week.  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd,  pas- 
tor at  Adams  Avenue  Church,  delivered  the  first  sermon  in  the 
hall,  prophesying  great  victories  as  the  result  of  that  beginning. 

Park  Place  (Court  Street)  was  organized  about  the  same  time, 
and  in  1876  Park  Place  and  Green  Ridge  were  united  in  a  charge, 
under  the  name  of  Park  Place.  The  pastor  preached  at  Green 
Ridge  in  the  morning  and  at  Park  Place  in  the  evening.  The 
first  Quarterly  Conference  appointed  W.  H.  Peck,  Erastus 
Smith,  Christian  Seward,  and  Merrit  O.  Utley  stewards.  A 
revival  during  the  year  strengthened  both  societies. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  on  June  25,  1876,  with 
forty-seven  members.  The  following  have  served  as  superin- 
tendents, and  in  the  order  named :  W.  H.  Peck,  Isaac  W.  Higgs, 
A.  C.  Caryl,  R.  W.  Kellow,  D.  C.  Seward,  S.  G.  Dilley,  A.  W. 
Swartz,  John  Baker,  B.  T.  Jayne,  and  E.  S.  Pratt. 

In  1880  a  building  fund  was  started,  and  enough  money  was 
raised  to  purchase  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  Monsey  Avenue  and 
Delaware  Street,  for  which  $1,000  was  paid.  Application  was 
made  to  the  court  for  a  charter,  which  was  granted  by  Judge 
Handley  on  August  2,  1881,  naming  W.  H.  Peck,  R.  W.  Kellow, 
W.  D.  Lord,  D.  C.  Seward,  and  Merrit  Gardner  trustees  of  'The 
Green  Ridge  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Scranton,  Pa."  In 
1 89 1  the  corporate  name  of  the  society  was  changed  to  'The 
Asbury  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Scranton,  Pa."  About 
the  time  the  application  was  made  for  a  charter  R.  W.  Kellow, 
W.  H.  Peck,  and  D.  C.  Seward  were  constituted  a  building  com- 
mittee. Plans  for  a  chapel  were  prepared,  and  a  contract  made 
with  Ezra  Finn  to  build  it. 

The  chapel,  with  its  furnishings,  cost  $1,824,  and  was  dedicated 
on  Sunday,  June  4,  1882,  by  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  the  debt  being  pro- 
vided for  on  the  day  of  dedication.   The  pastor  was  so  ardent  to 


900 


Wyoming  Conference 


promote  the  project  that  he  went  to  the  quarry  and  helped  get 
out  the  stone  for  the  foundation. 

In  1885  Park  Place  and  Green  Ridge  were  divided  and  made 
two  charges.  In  1886  the  chapel  was  found  to  be  too  small,  and 
it  was  decided  to  build  a  Tabernacle.  Rev.  O.  P.  Wright,  R.  W. 
Kellow,  D.  C.  Seward,  B.  T.  Jayne,  E.  D.  Hughes,  and  W.  D. 
Lord  were  appointed  a  building  committee.  The  contract  was 
given  to  Charles  Lord.  This  ''paper  church,"  as  it  was  after- 
ward called,  was  dedicated  on  July  18,  1886.  Rev.  J.  E.  Price, 
D.D.,  preached  from  John  i,  18.  At  this  service  $1,200  was 
raised.  The  same  building  committee  supervised  the  erection  of 
the  parsonage,  which  cost  $1,800,  which  amount  was  carried  by 
a  loan  until  1889,  when  it  was  paid.  At  this  time  the  lot  pur- 
chased of  Mr.  Peck  was  occupied  as  follows :  the  Tabernacle 
faced  Monsey  Avenue,  and  stood  diagonally  across  the  street 
from  the  present  church,  directly  behind  the  Tabernacle,  and 
facing  Delaware  Street  stood  the  chapel,  while  just  above  this, 
facing  Delaware  Street,  stood  the  parsonage. 

In  the  middle  of  1888  the  pastor  was  transferred  to  Simpson 
Church,  and  Rev.  J.  O.  Spencer,  a  missionary  from  Japan,  filled 
out  the  year. 

The  society  continued  to  grow,  and  in  1891  the  need  of  a  new 
church  was  apparent.  A  platform  meeting  was  held,  addressed 
by  Dr.  Floyd,  Dr.  W.  H.  Pearce,  and  others,  when  about  $3,700 
was  subscribed  toward  the  enterprise.  Subsequently  T.  J. 
Snowden,  E.  E.  Teal,  R.  W.  Kellow,  J.  M.  Rhodes,  and  H.  B. 
Reynolds  were  constituted  a  building  committee.  Plans  were 
secured  for  a  church.  "The  building  as  planned,  being  somewhat 
larger  than  the  church  lot  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Monsey 
Avenue  and  Delaware  Street,  it  was  found  necessary  either  to 
modify  plans,  procure  additional  land,  or  to  purchase  a  new  site." 
The  latter  plan  seemed  the  most  feasible,  and  the  present  site 
was  purchased,  costing  $5,200.  The  Peck  Lumber  Company 
took  the  contract  to  build  the  church,  which  with  its  furnishings 
cost  $27,000.  The  building  is  not  complete,  as  the  Sunday  school 
room  was  not  built.  This  building  was  dedicated  on  Sunday, 
September  10,  1893.  Bishop  FitzGerald  preached  in  the  morning 
from  Rom.  vi,  8.  In  the  afternoon  a  platform  meeting  was  held, 
addressed  by  Messrs.  May,  Peck,  Wood,  and  Boies,  and  in  the 
evening  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce  preached  from  Rom.  xii,  2.  A  total 
of  $9,400  was  raised  during  the  day.  Bishop  FitzGerald  con- 
ducted the  dedicatory  service.  Dr.  Couch,  of  Brooklyn,  managed 
the  finances. 


ASBURY,  SCRANTON 


901 


The  old  Tabernacle  was  sold  to  the  Spike  Mill,  the  chapel  sold 
and  moved  to  Deacon  Street,  and  converted  into  a  dwelling. 

In  1896  the  bonded  indebtedness  of  $10,000,  trustees'  note  of 
$3,000,  and  floating  indebtedness  combined  to  form  an  indebted- 
ness of  over  $18,000.  The  condition  was  appalling,  as  the  society 
as  yet  had  never  been  able  to  meet  its  interest  from  the  current 
expense  fund.  A  twentieth  anniversary  service  was  arranged 
for  June  18  to  21,  1896.  On  the  evening  of  the  i8th  the  Sunday 
school  held  an  anniversary,  and  on  Friday  evening,  the  19th,  a 
reception  was  given  to  former  pastors,  at  which  several  of  them 
made  addresses.  On  June  21  Rev.  F.  C.  Iglehart,  D.D.,  preached 
in  the  morning,  and  Rev.  D.  H.  Moore,  D.D.,  preached  in  the 
evening.  During  the  day  $10,000  was  subscribed;  $3,000  had 
been  subscribed  by  friends  in  the  central  part  of  the  city,  and 
the  pastor  subsequently  secured  $2,000  from  various  sources, 
making  a  total  of  $15,000  subscribed,  $13,000  of  which  was  paid 
within  the  next  two  years. 

The  present  parsonage  was  built  in  1900,  costing  $5,200,  and 
the  old  parsonage  property  sold  for  $2,000.  During  the  same 
year  the  steam-heating  plant  was  installed  in  the  church  at  a  cost 
of  about  $1,200.  Since  this  time  the  organ  has  been  lowered, 
and  in  1903  the  auditorium  was  cleaned  and  handsomely  deco- 
rated, costing  several  hundred  dollars. 

The  pipe  organ  is  the  one  which  was  formerly  in  Adams 
Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Lanyon  was  the  chorister  here  about  twenty  years. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  exceptionally  successful  in 
its  work. 

Pastorates 

1876-84,  with  Park  Place;  1885,  H.  H.  Dresser;  i886-88>^, 
O.  P.  Wright;  balance  of  1888,  J.  O.  Spencer;  1889-90,  F.  A. 
Chapman;  1891-93,  G.  A.  Cure;  1894-98,  A.  F.  Chaffee;  1899- 
1901,  W.  G.  Simpson;  1902-03,  C.  A.  Benjamin. 

ScRANTON,  Pa. — Ash  Street 

In  the  fall  of  1890  a  little  company  of  Christians  began  holding 
prayer  services  in  an  old  house  owned  by  Scott  Watrous,  situated 
on  James  Street.  The  following  spring  they  began  holding  the 
meetings  in  private  houses.  As  numbers  increased  it  became 
desirable  to  have  a  permanent  place  of  worship.  A  small  tri- 
angular lot  on  the  corner  of  Ash  and  James  Streets  was  secured 
of  Lewis  Spangenburg,  and  a  chapel  18x28  feet  erected,  costing 


902 


Wyoming  Conference 


about  $700.  It  was  known  as  the  "People's  Union  Mission."  It 
was  soon  discovered  to  be  too  small,  and  in  May,  1892,  it  was 
decided  to  enlarge  it.  Additional  land  was  bought  of  Mr. 
Spangenburg,  for  which,  and  the  former  lot,  the  society  paid 
$175.   The  building  was  enlarged  to  double  its  former  capacity. 

In  1894  Elm  Park  Church  invited  this  society  to  become  a 
mission  under  its  direction,  and  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the 
society  the  invitation  was  accepted.  Mr.  Arthur  Scranton  paid 
of¥  all  the  indebtedness  and  deeded  the  property  to  Elm  Park 
Church  on  March  26,  1894.  W.  G.  Doud  was  one  of  the 
originators  of  this  society,  and  supported  the  work  loyally  for 
years,  holding  the  office  of  trustee,  secretary,  and  treasurer.  In 
1897  it  appears  among  the  appointments,  with  F.  Carr  as  pastor. 
He  had  served  the  society  some  little  time  before  this,  however. 

Desirous  of  securing  a  better  location,  the  society  purchased 
two  lots  on  Myrtle  Street,  between  Harrison  and  Wheeler 
Avenues,  in  1903,  valued  at  $2,000.  A  temporary  church,  double 
boarded,  lined  with  building  paper,  wainscoted,  ceiled  with  pine, 
a  tar-paper  roof,  heated  by  a  furnace,  and  lighted  by  electricity, 
was  dedicated  on  December  20,  1903.  The  building  will  seat 
about  two  hundred  persons,  and  will  very  comfortably  house  the 
congregation  until  it  gets  ready  to  build  a  substantial  church. 
The  old  church  has  been  sold. 

Nay  Aug  became  a  part  of  the  charge  in  1899,  and  Throop 
in  1903. 

The  society  experienced  the  greatest  revival  of  its  history  in 
1900,  when  there  were  seventy-eight  conversions. 

Nay  Aug.  On  April  15,  1887,  a  Sunday  school,  consisting  of 
thirteen  pupils,  was  organized  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  Nancy  J. 
Turner,  of  Nay  Aug.  Mr.  Henry  Hayfler  was  elected  superin- 
tendent, and  Miss  Tillie  Turner,  a  prime  mover  in  the  work,  one 
of  the  teachers.  Later  the  school  met  in  the  schoolhouse.  Prayer 
meetings  were  held  in  private  houses,  at  which  conversions  were 
frequently  occurring.  The  converts  joined  the  Dunmore  ]\Ietho- 
dist  Episcopal  Church. 

In  1890  the  citizens  of  Nay  Aug  decided  to  build  a  church. 
There  were  but  seven  members  in  the  society,  and  the  task 
seemed  impossible.  "You  will  never  build  a  church  in  Nay  Aug," 
remarked  a  local  preacher.  "We  shall !"  replied  a  worldly  man. 
The  latter  was  William  M.  Nixon,  yardmaster  in  the  Nay  Aug 
Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western  Railroad  yards.  Rev.  J.  B. 
Sumner,  presiding  elder  of  Honesdale  District,  assisted  by  Rev. 


Asii  Street,  Scranton 


903 


A.  C.  Olver,  selected  the  location,  which  was  donated  by  Mrs. 
Margaret  P.  Lawrence,  of  Nay  Aug.  The  court  granted  "The 
Nay  Aug  Methodist  Episcopal  Church'*  a  charter  on  October  31, 
1890,  naming  John  Turner,  B.  H.  Kenner,  Frank  Turner,  Judson 
Smith,  James  A.  Welch,  William  M.  Nixon,  and  William  Long 
trustees. 

The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  Sunday  afternoon,  May  17,  1891, 
Rev.  F.  A.  Dony  preaching  the  sermon.  W.  M.  Nixon  then 
went  to  O.  S.  Johnson  and  asked  him  to  donate  enough  rough 
lumber  to  build  the  church.  'Tf  I  were  sure  it  would  make  a 
man  out  of  you  I'd  do  it."  Nixon  is  now  a  devoted  member, 
steward,  trustee,  class  leader,  secretary  and  Itreasurer  of  the 
official  board.  The  lumber  was  given  and  delivered.  As  soon  as 
the  roof  was  on  services  were  held  in  the  building.  The  society 
struggled  two  years,  paying  their  bills  as  they  went  on  toward 
completion.  The  building  was  dedicated  in  1892,  having  cost 
$1,200,  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Leacock,  the  pastor  at  Dunmore. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  Epworth  League  have  been  very 
helpful  in  the  work  here. 

Revs.  J.  M.  Howell  and  John  Davy  served  this  people  prior  to 
1894,  when  this  society  was  placed  with  Throop,  where  it  re- 
mained until  1899,  when  it  became  a  part  of  Ash  Street  charge. 

Throop.  The  church  here  was  built  for  the  Primitive  Meth- 
odists by  the  Pancoast  Coal  Company,  on  a  lot  donated  by  Dr. 
Throop.  The  society  failing  to  pay  for  the  church,  after  a  few 
years  it  was  sold  to  the  Baptists,  who  also  failed  to  pay  for  it. 
It  was  finally  sold  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  August, 
1892,  for  $600.  The  society  became  incorporated  on  August  2, 
1892,  as  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Throop," 
with  John  H.  Law,  J.  D.  Fahringer,  Samuel  Hulse,  C.  L.  Krotzer, 
and  Amzi  Van  Campen  as  trustees.  The  society  was  small,  but 
with  the  help  of  outside  friends  paid  for  the  church.  It  was 
served  in  1892  by  Rev.  C.  Van  Gorder,  the  evangelist,  in  1893  by 
Rev.  John  Davy,  and  by  Rev.  J.  V.  Newell  from  1894-98;  in  1899 
Rev.  Joseph  Madison  was  pastor,  and  in  1901-02  Rev.  J.  M. 
Coleman  served  the  society.  In  1903  the  society  was  placed  with 
Ash  Street.  Nay  Aug  was  with  Throop  from  1894  to  1898 
inclusive. 

Pastorates 

1897,  F.  Carr;  1898-99,  W.  S.  Crandall;  1900-02,  J.  R.  Austin; 
1903,  E.  N.  Kline. 


904 


Wyoming  Conference 


ScRANTON,  Pa. — Court  Street 

In  the  winter  of  1874  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
held  a  successful  series  of  revival  meetings  in  the  Park  Place 
schoolhouse.  The  school  board  objecting  to  the  further  use  of 
the  schoolhouse  for  religious  purposes,  the  people,  five  weeks 
before  Easter,  decided  to  build  a  union  church  and  dedicate  it  on 
Easter  Sunday.  It  was  done,  and  on  that  Sunday  money  was 
raised  to  paint,  plaster,  and  otherwise  finish  the  building. 
Ministers  of  various  denominations  were  to  preach  to  them.  On 
Sunday  a  Universalist  preacher  had  been  invited  to  preach,  but 
some  of  the  people  did  not  care  to  hear  his  doctrine,  and,  there- 
fore, closed  the  doors  against  him.  This,  of  course,  caused 
trouble. 

At  this  time  the  Young  T^Ien's  Christian  Association  decided 
to  buy  off  the  people  who  were,  interested  in  the  church  and  then 
claim  the  property.  This  they  failed  to  do.  Just  at  this  time  the 
Adams  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  bought  the  building 
and  used  it  as  a  mission  chapel.  In  the  spring  of  1876  the  people 
of  Park  Place  bought  the  property  back  from  the  Adams  Avenue 
Church.  In  that  spring  Park  Place  and  Green  Ridge  were  formed 
into  a  charge,  under  the  name  of  Park  Place.  The  two  places 
were  separated  in  1885,  each  becoming  a  charge.  The  name 
of  the  church  was  changed  from  Park  Place  to  Court  Street 
in  1895. 

The  old  chapel  was  sold  and  moved  away  in  1891,  and  on 
October  8  of  that  year  the  corner  stone  of  the  present  church  was 
laid  by  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  Revs.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D.,  and 
L.  C.  Floyd,  Ph.D.,  being  present  and  making  addresses.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  April  24,  1892.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  did  the 
preaching  and  managed  the  finances  during  the  day,  and  Rev. 
M.  S.  Hard  conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  The  brick  for  the 
church  was  donated  by  Joseph  Switzer.  The  building  cost  about 
$10,000,  one  half  of  which  was  provided  for  on  the  day  of  dedica- 
tion. In  1898  $1,700  was  paid  on  indebtedness  and  a  debt 
remained  of  $4,200.  During  the  years  1899,  1900,  and  1901, 
principally  in  1901,  this  debt  was  reduced  to  $2,300.  In  1903 
$1,000  was  spent  in  carpeting,  frescoing,  rearranging  the  pulpit 
platform,  and  minor  improvements.  About  $400  in  labor  was 
contributed,  and  the  balance  raised  in  cash.  The  church  was 
reopened  on  Sunday,  October  4,  1903.  Rev.  A.  Grifiin,  D.D., 
preached  in  the  morning,  and  Rev.  A.  F.  Chaffee  in  the  evening. 
In  the  afternoon  a  laymen's  meeting  was  held,  addressed  by  J.  S. 


Court  Street,  Scranton 


90s 


Miller  and  C.  W.  Dawson.  About  $400  was  raised  during  the 
day.  On  Monday  evening,  the  5th,  Rev.  C.  M.  Giffin,  D.D., 
preached,  and  Rev.  H.  C.  McDermott,  D.D.,  on  Tuesday  evening, 
the  6th. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1887,  costing  $2,500. 
The  society  has  made  an  heroic  struggle,  and  has  deservedly 
experienced  a  healthy  growth. 

Tripp  Park.  But  little  can  be  written  concerning  this  child 
of  Court  Street  Church  which  is  just  beginning  to  be.  The 
development  of  Tripp  Park  brought  together  a  number  of 
families,  some  of  whom  identified  themselves  with  the  Court 


COURT  STREET  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


Street  Church.  The  advisability  of  planting  a  mission  in  this 
growing  section  prompted  the  Court  Street  pastor  to  seek  the 
advice  of  the  Scranton  Methodist  Preachers'  Meeting,  which 
advised  planting  the  mission.  Elm  Park  official  board  promised 
to  back  the  enterprise  to  the  amount  of  one  half  its  cost,  providing 
the  cost  should  not  exceed  $3,000.  The  Simpson  official  board 
also  indorsed  the  enterprise.  A  committee  from  the  three 
churches,  Elm  Park,  Simpson,  and  Court  Street,  met  in  October 
and  selected  the  lots,  which  were  subsequently  purchased  of  the 
Tripp  Land  Company  for  $800,  the  Land  Company  donating 
$440  of  the  purchase  price.  A  chapel  38x42,  and  costing  about 
$1,200,  was  dedicated  on  December  21,  1903.  This  mission  of 
Court  Street  promises  well. 


9o6 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1876,  W.  Treible;  1877,  O.  H.  McAnulty;  1878-79,  E.  R.  D. 
Briggs;  1880-81,  L.  Jennison;  1882-83,  G-  M.  Peck;  1884,  J.  V. 
Newell;  1885-86,  J.  A.  Faulkner;  1887-88,  W.  J.  Judd;  1889-90, 
Jonas  Underwood;  1891-93,  J.  F.  Jones;  1894,  P.  R.  Hawxhurst; 
1895-97,  G.  T.  Price;  1898-1903,  G.  C.  Lyman. 

ScRANTON,  Pa. — Elm  Park 

By  reference  to  the  sketch  of  Providence  Church  it  will  be  seen 
that  this  society  sprang  from  that  church  and  that  the  Slocum 
Hollow  class  was  formed  about  1840.  The  first  church  erected 
in  Scranton  proper  cost  $500.  We  quote  from  Mr.  J.  C.  Piatt: 
"The  Village  Chapel  was  commenced  in  1841  and  finished  early 
in  1842.  It  was  under  the  supervision  of  the  Methodists,  but 
other  evangelical  denominations  were  not  excluded  from  using 
it.  [On  July  5,  1842,  Scranton,  Grant  &  Co.,  in  consideration 
of  $1,  deeded  to  Barton  Motte,  Erastus  Smith,  and  William  Silk- 
man,  trustees,  the  lot  on  which  the  chapel  had  been  built  "in  the 
town  or  village  of  Harrison,  in  the  township  of  Providence,  on 
Lackawanna  Street,"  containing  quarter  of  an  acre.]  It  stood 
on  a  lot  70x155,  given  by  Scranton,  Grant  &  Co.,  partly  on  what 
is  now  Adams  Avenue  at  its  juncture  with  Lackawanna  Avenue, 
on  a  bluflp  some  ten  feet  high,  which  has  been  removed  in  grading 
the  avenues.  The  corner  of  the  chapel  was  almost  exactly  where 
the  corner  of  Messrs.  Jifkins's  meat  market  now  is,  but  not  in 
line  with  the  avenue.  The  city  plot  was  laid  out  in  1850-51,  and, 
in  order  that  the  two  avenues  named  could  be  opened  where  they 
now  are,  Scrantons  &  Piatt,  in  1855-56,  gave  the  three  lots  now 
occupied  by  the  Methodist  church  and  parsonage  [the  Adams 
Avenue  Church]  near  by  on  Adams  Avenue,  and  $2,000  in  build- 
ing materials,  in  exchange  for  the  old  lot,  100  feet  front  by  112 
feet  deep."  The  chapel  was  used  on  alternate  Sabbaths  by  Pres- 
byterians and  Methodists.  The  Methodists  worshiped  in  this 
chapel  until  the  going  into  the  basement  of  the  Adams  Avenue 
Church.  On  doing  this  the  chapel  was  sold  to  the  German  Meth- 
odists, who  moved  it  to  the  corner  of  Adams  Avenue  and  Vine 
Street.  The  building  may  now  be  found  on  a  corner  of  the  above- 
named  streets  on  the  rear  of  the  lot. 

On  November  7,  1854,  the  society  became  incorporate  as  "The 
Scranton  Society  of  the  ^Methodist  Episcopal  Church."  On 
October  23,  1879,  the  charter  was  amended,  the  society  taking 


Elm  Park,  Scranton 


907 


the  corporate  name  of  "The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
of  Scranton,  Pa.,"  Lewis  Piighe,  J.  L.  Mcdway,  Charles  Forester, 
Robert  H.  McKune,  G.  F.  Reynolds,  and  William  Connell  1)eing 
the  trustees  at  the  time.  The  charter  was  again  amended  on 
October  19,  1891. 

Work  was  commenced  on  the  Adams  Avenue  Church  in  the 
fall  of  1855,  and  in  the  fall  of  1856  the  basement  was  completed 
and  dedicated  by  Rev.  W.  Wyatt,  the  presiding  elder,  who 
preached  from  Matt,  xvi,  18:  "Upon  this  rock  I  will  build  my 


church,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it."  On  the 
day  of  dedication  $150  was  raised.  The  Missionary  Society  paid 
$400  of  the  minister's  salary  that  year.  Mr.  Wyatt  says :  "It  was 
a  memorable  time.  I  preached  with  great  freedom  and  much 
assurance,  and  have  reason  to  think  that  good  was  done."  The 
building  was  completed  in  1858,  and  the  audience  room  was  first 
used  on  the  evening  of  September  8,  1858,  by  a  reception  which 
was  given  to  the  daughter  of  Rev.  B.  W.  Gorham,  Nellie,  who 
had  just  married  Rev.  S.  L.  Baldwin  and  was  about  to  go  to 
China  as  a  missionary. 

In  1879  the  church  was  enlarged  at  a  cost  of  $12,000.  The 
building  had  three  memorial  windows:  one  to  the  memory  of 
Mary  Ann  Slocum,  who  left  the  church  $800  at  her  death  in 
1875 ;  another  was  put  in  by  Horace  Phelps  in  memory  of  his 
mother,  Mrs.  Hannah  Phelps;  and  the  third  was  in  memory  of 
Hattie  B.  Nivison.  A  new  pipe  organ  was  purchased  at  this 
time.    The  church  was  dedicated  on  January  24,  1880,  with 


ADAMS  AVENUE  CHURCH,  SCRANTON 


9o8 


Wyoming  Conference 


sermons  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Fowler  and  Rev.  P.  Krohn,  the  former 
preaching  from  Rom.  viii,  14. 

The  growth  of  the  church  made  it  evident  that  larger  accommo- 
dations were  needed,  and  the  matter  was  agitated  several  years, 
until  a  committee  was  appointed  to  solicit  funds  on  February  12, 

1891.  The  present  site  was  purchased  on  March  16,  1891,  for 
$30,000.  Two  thousand  people  gathered  at  5  p.  m.  on  Tuesday, 
September  8,  1891,  to  witness  the  breaking  of  ground  for  the 
new  church.  Rev.  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  led  in  prayer.  James  P. 
Dickson  gave  some  reminiscences  of  early  days  in  Scranton. 
Hon.  R.  W.  Archibald  sketched  the  history  of  ]\Iethodism  in  the 
Lackawanna  valley,  paying  a  warm  tribute  to  the  pioneers. 
Captain  W.  A.  May  spoke  upon  the  new  church  enterprise ;  while 
Colonel  E.  H.  Ripple  brought  greetings  from  Grace  Reformed 
Episcopal  Church,  Rev.  S.  C.  Logan  from  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  James  H.  Torrey  from  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church.  William  Council,  after  a  few  remarks,  broke  the  ground 
when  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd  pronounced  the  benediction.  A  chorus 
of  one  hundred  voices  assisted  in  the  service. 

On  September  30,  189 1,  the  Adams  Avenue  Church  property 
was  sold  to  the  Clark  and  Snover  Company  for  $30,000,  and  on 
Sunday,  October  11,  1891,  farewell  services  were  held  in  the 
church.  Rev.  J.  G.  Eckman  preached  in  the  morning.  Hon. 
Lewis  Pughe,  an  ex-superintendent,  and  others  addressed  the 
Sunday  school  in  the  afternoon,  and  in  the  evening  addresses 
were  made  by  Revs.  L.  W.  Peck,  L.  C.  Floyd,  and  William 
Connell.  On  the  following  Sunday  services  were  commenced 
in  the  Tabernacle,  which  had  been  hastily  prepared  on  the  corner 
of  Adams  Avenue  and  Mulberry  Street,  where  the  society  wor- 
shiped until  going  into  the  new  church. 

The  contract  for  the  building  of  the  church  and  parsonage  was 
let  to  Conrad  Shroeder,  and  the  corner  stone  was  laid  April  23, 

1892,  by  the  pastor,  at  which  time  addresses  were  made  by  Revs. 
B.  P.  Raymond,  D.D.,  Charles  Robinson,  D.D.,  M.  S.  Hard,  D.D., 
and  Judge  Alfred  Hand. 

The  parsonage  was  begun  on  May  10  and  completed  October  i. 

The  church  was  completed  and  ready  for  dedication,  and  the 
program  arranged.  Services  were  to  begin  on  December  12,  and 
close  on  December  18,  1892.  About  four  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  Saturday,  December  3,  1892,  the  church  was  found  to  be  on 
fire.  The  building  was  completely  gutted,  the  tower  and  chime 
of  bells  being  saved.  The  society  received  $52,143.44  from  the 
insurance  companies,  gifts  from  sympathizing  friends  amounting 


Elm  Park,  Scranton 


909 


to  $12,656.75,  and  from  the  organ  recital  and  concert  arranged 
for  December  13,  and  which  was  held  in  the  Penn  Avenue  Bap- 
tist Church,  a  generous  amount.  The  work  of  rebuilding  com- 
menced at  once  and  was  progressing  finely  when  a  second  fire 
occurred  on  March  27,  1893,  which  completely  destroyed  the 
walls,  leaving  the  tower  standing,  though  badly  chipped  in 
places.  This  time  the  building  was  insured  for  $30,000.  It  be- 
came the  belief  that  the  fires  were  of  an  incendiary  origin,  and 
methods  of  discovery  resulted  in  the  conviction  of  Peter  Hom- 
baugh,  the  sexton,  in  the  fall  of  1893  and  his  incarceration  in 


ELM  PARK  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE 


solitary  confinement  ten  years.  The  work  of  rebuilding  was 
vigorously  pushed  and  completed  in  the  early  winter. 

We  quote  from  the  building  edition  of  The  Scientific  American 
of  1897: 

"The  site  is  a  most  desirable  one,  triangular  in  shape,  .  .  . 
while  the  church  property  is  the  most  spacious,  adapted  to  the 
greatest  variety  of  uses,  acoustically  the  most  satisfactory,  and 
without  a  superior  in  location  and  architectural  effect. 

*Tn  this  building  is  an  organ  pronounced  by  competent  au- 
thorities the  finest  in  this  country  [since  this  organ  was  put  in 
two  organs  have  been  erected  in  Wilkes-Barre  which  have  a  few 


910 


Wyoming  Conference 


more  stops]  ;  three  memorial  windows  equal  to  any;  a  perfect 
system  of  heating  and  ventilation;  and  a  chime  of  bells  which, 
owing  to  their  relation  to  the  hills  and  plateaus  of  the  city  and 
the  neighboring  mountains,  produce  an  effect  quite  pleasing  and 
unique  in  its  character. 

"The  style  is  of  the  Romanesque  order.  The  basement  con- 
tains pastor's  study,  with  open  fireplace,  trustees'  room,  ladies' 
parlor,  lecture  room,  dining  room  and  kitchen  for  entertainment 
purposes,  heating  room,  storeroom,  numerous  entrances,  coat 
rooms,  and  toilet  rooms  complete.  The  auditorium  is  planned 
after  the  Akron  style,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  two  thousand 
five  hundred  when  the  Sunday  school  room  and  the  main  audi- 
torium are  thrown  together ....  The  church  is  as  near  perfect 
in  its  equipments  as  it  is  possible  for  any  building  of  its 
character. 

"The  building  is  of  native  rock  trimmed  with  Ohio  sandstone." 

The  chime  of  ten  bells  is  the  gift  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William 
Connell  as  a  memorial  for  their  children — a  bell  for  each. 

The  Epworth  League  and  King's  Daughters  furnished  the 
chancel  window,  the  "Repose  in  Egypt."  W.  H.  Peck,  in  memory 
of  his  father  and  grandfather,  gave  the  window  "Christ  among 
the  doctors,"  and  the  window  "The  Nativity  of  Christ"  was  given 
by  Dr.  A.  J.,  H.  H.,  W.  L.,  and  Jessie  G.  Connell  in  memory  of 
their  parents.  The  pulpit  furniture  was  contributed  by  Mrs. 
Franc  T.  Vail. 

The  feast  of  dedication  began  with  an  organ  recital  and  concert 
on  December  7  and  8,  1893,  which  netted  about  $9,000.  These 
were  followed  by  a  series  of  meetings  in  which  forty-eight  min- 
isters of  various  denominations  participated.  Governor  Patti- 
son,  Hon.  Samuel  Ammerman,  Colonel  E.  H.  Ripple,  Colonel  H. 
M.  Boies,  and  Mrs.  Margaret  Bottome  also  had  part  in  the  week's 
program.  On  Sunday,  December  17,  Bishop  Fowler  preached  in 
the  morning,  and  Rev.  J.  M.  Buckley,  D.D.,  in  the  evening,  after 
which  the  pastor  received  one  hundred  and  ten  persons  into 
church  membership.  Bishop  Fowler  then  conducted  the  dedica- 
tory service. 

During  the  week  $40,699.29  was  received,  and  the  church  was 
dedicated  without  making  an  appeal  for  funds.  The  building  cost 
about  $150,000,  and  the  total  property  is  valued  at  $225,000. 
Since  building  the  church  the  society  has  purchased  a  triangular 
piece  of  ground  in  the  rear  of  the  church  for  $13,000. 

The  early  class  leaders  were,  in  the  order  named,  Martin  Wash- 
burn, Barton  Motte,  Adam  L.  Horn,  and  Samuel  Culver. 


Embury,  Scranton 


911 


Miss  Tilly  Hawley  was  employed  as  church  missionary  several 
years  by  the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society  of  the  church. 

This  church  entertained  the  Conference  in  April,  i860;  April, 
1880;  and  in  April,  1894. 

The  appointment  was  called  Scranton  until  1876,  when  it  be- 
came known  as  First  Church,  which  name  it  carried  until  1893, 
when  it  took  the  name  of  Elm  Park.  It  was  a  part  of  Pittston 
Circuit  until  Providence  charge  was  formed  in  1849,  when  it  be- 
came a  part  of  that  charge,  and  in  1855  it  became  a  charge  itself. 

Court  Street,  Saint  Paul's,  and  Ash  Street  have  been  missions 
of  this  church. 

Pastorates 

1855,  A.  H.  Schoonmaker;  1856-57,  George  Peck;  1858-59, 

B.  W.  Gorham;  1860-61,  G.  C.  Bancroft;  1862-63,  J.  V.  Newell; 
1864,  J.  A.  Wood;  1865-66,  N.  W.  Everett;  1867,  B.  D.  Sturde- 
vant;  1868,  B.  D.  Sturdevant,  J.  C.  Nobles;  1869,  J.  C.  Nobles; 
1870-71,  P.  Krohn;  1872,  G.  P.  Porter;  1873-74,  I.  T.  Walker; 
1875-76,  L.  C.  Floyd;  1877-79,  J.  G.  Eckman;  1880-82,  J.  E. 
Smith;  1883-85,  L.  C.  MuUer;  1886-87,  J-  E.  Price;  1888,  J.  E. 
Price,  C.  S.  G.  Boone;  1889,  J.  E.  Price,  J.  W.  Nicholson;  1890, 

C.  C.  McLean,  J.  W.  Nicholson;  1891-95,  W.  H.  Pearce;  1896- 
1900,  C.  M.  Giffin;  1901-02,  C.  M.  Giffin,  E.  B.  Singer;  1903, 
C.  M.  Giffin,  C.  R.  Vickery. 

Scranton^  Pa. — Embury 

After  occupying  the  corner  of  Hampton  and  Ninth  Streets 
about  ten  years,  and  building  a  little  church  costing  $2,500,  the 
Protestant  Methodist  society  saw  its  property  sold  by  the  sheriff 
in  the  spring  of  1882.  The  property  was  bought  by  a  gentleman 
friendly  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who  sold  it  to  us 
for  $1,350.  The  society  was  organized  with  some  members  of  the 
Protestant  Methodist  Church  and  some  from  the  Simpson 
Church,  and  it  became  incorporated  on  June  22,  1882,  with 
Thomas  P.  Arnt,  Henry  Smith,  C.  W.  Treverton,  John  R.  Hall, 
and  H.  C.  Hinman  as  trustees. 

On  July  2,  1882,  the  presiding  elder  appointed  Rev.  John 
La  Bar  pastor,  who  preached  his  first  sermon  to  the  newly  formed 
society  from  "For  I  determined  to  know  nothing  among  you  save 
Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified."  Shortly  afterward  the  Sunday 
school.  Ladies'  Aid,  and  other  societies  were  organized. 

The  charge  appeared  among  the  appointments  in  1883. 


912 


Wyoming  Conference 


After  an  expenditure  of  $6,000,  the  church  was  reopened  on 
February  19,  1892.  The  old  church,  which  faced  Hampton 
Street,  was  moved  to  the  rear  of  the  lot,  facing  Ninth  Street,  and 
was  fitted  up  for  Sunday  school  and  social  purposes.  A  new 
building  54x37  feet,  was  erected  on  the  site  of  the  old  church, 
which  would  seat  three  hundred,  and  the  old  chapel  so  arranged 
relative  to  the  new  church  that  it  might  be  opened  and  add  to 
the  auditorium  two  hundred  sittings.  Several  memorial  windows 
were  put  in,  the  most  conspicuous  being  one  for  a  former  pastor, 
Rev.  G.  C.  Lewis.  The  society  was  so  pleased  with  the  work  of 
the  pastor  during  the  building  of  the  church  that  it  put  a  tablet 
in  the  auditorium  attesting  its  gratitude.    On  the  day  of  dedica- 


EMBURY  CHURCH,  SCRANTON 


tion  Chaplain  McCabe  preached  in  the  morning  from  Exod.  xxv, 
8,  and  in  the  evening  speeches  were  made  by  several  former  pas- 
tors and  Chaplain  McCabe.  During  the  day  $3,097  was  raised, 
which  with  funds  previously  raised  left  an  indebtedness  of  $2,100. 

The  parsonage  on  Ninth  Street  was  built  in  1885,  costing 
$1,100. 

In  1892  the  indebtedness  reported  was  $3,189.  From  year  to 
year  more  or  less  of  the  indebtedness  was  canceled,  until  in  190 1 
only  $400  remained  unpaid.  This  is  a  noble  record.  As  time 
passed  it  became  very  evident  that  a  better  location  must  be 
secured.  The  present  church  lot  was  donated  to  the  society  by 
W.  W.  Watson,  and  was  valued  at  $1,500,  and  the  lot  beside  it, 
upon  which  the  parsonage  stands,  was  purchased  for  $1,000.  The 
parsonage  with  its  furnishings  cost  $2,700,  and  the  church  about 


Providence,  Scranton 


913 


$14,000.  The  old  property  was  taken  by  the  contractor  at  $2,500. 
This  with  labor  and  other  contributions  reduced  the  amount  to 
be  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication  to  $12,500.  The  building  was 
dedicated  on  May  4,  1902.  Rev.  S.  F.  Uphani,  D.D.,  preached  in 
the  morning  from  Mark  xiv,  8.  In  the  afternoon  a  Sunday  school 
rally  and  mass  meeting  was  held,  addressed  by  Revs.  F.  P.  Doty, 
H.  C.  McDermott,  C.  B.  Henry,  and  Dr.  Upham.  James  Shepard 
conducted  the  League  service,  and  in  the  evening  Rev.  J.  B. 
Sweet,  D.D.,  preached.  Mr.  J.  W.  Powell,  managed  the  finances 
during  the  day,  and  secured  $12,500  upon  subscription.  The 
dedicatory  service  was  conducted  by  Dr.  Upham.  Jubilee  serv- 
ices during  the  week  following  the  dedicatory  day  were  addressed 
by  Revs.  J.  P.  Moffatt,  S.  F.  Matthews,  T.  DeGruchy,  H.  C. 
McDermott,  C.  H.  Newing,  G.  A.  Cure,  M.  D.  Fuller,  C  B. 
Henry,  and  J.  Bradshaw. 

The  court  granted  an  amendment  to  the  charter  of  the  society 
on  July  15,  1901,  by  which  the  name  of  the  society  was  changed 
to  "Embury  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  South  Main  and 
Bryn  Mawr  Streets  of  North  East  District  of  Lackawanna  Town- 
ship, Lackawanna  County,  Pa." 

In  1903  the  indebtedness  was  reported  as  being  $9,500. 

Pastorates 

1883,  J.  La  Bar;  1884-86,  G.  C.  Lewis;  1887-88,  W.  R.  Neth- 
erton;  1889-90,  S.  El  well;  1891,  H.  B.  Benedict;  1892,  C.  H. 
Hayes;  1893-94,  A.  W.  Cooper;  1895-97,  F.  P.  Doty;  1898-1903, 
J.  Benninger. 

Scranton,  Pa. — Providence 

Sometime  in  May,  1793,  William  Colbert  preached  to  a  few 
people  at  a  Brother  How's,  and  also  met  a  small  class.  He  lodged 
at  Joseph  Waller's.  This  was  at  Capouse.  How's  and  Waller's 
were  regular  preaching  places  at  that  time.  In  1798  Colbert 
stopped  at  Daniel  Taylor's  in  Capouse.  This  was  probably  be- 
tween Providence  and  the  central  part  of  the  city,  and  not  far 
from  the  power  house  of  the  street  railway.  In  1802  Providence 
was  credited,  on  the  stewards'  book  of  Wyoming  Circuit,  with 
forty  cents  quarterage.  Elisha  Bibbins  stated  that  a  class  existed 
here  in  1812,  and  that  he  used  to  stop  with  an  old  man  by  the 
name  of  Ireland.  This  class  was  undoubtedly  the  nucleus  of  the 
present  church,  and  its  meetings  were  probably  moved  from 
Capouse  to  Providence  Corners  when  the  settlement  at  the  latter 
place  began  to  grow.     In  1826  Providence  had  but  seven 

58  .  , 


914 


Wyoming  Conference 


dwellings,  and  was  called  "Razorville"  or  "The  Corners."  In 
1840  the  class  had  twenty  or  more  members.  Mrs.  C.  E.  Gardner 
said  they  were  "intelligent  and  well-bred  people,  mostly  from 
Westchester  County,  N.  Y.,"  and  that  "the  officials  of  the  society 
were  men  of  business  ability  and  sterling  religious  character." 
At  that  time  (1840)  the  class  was  a  part  of  Pittston  Circuit.  In 
1849  Providence  was  taken  from  Pittston  Circuit,  and  with 
Slocum  Hollow  (now  Elm  Park),  Hyde  Park,  Dunmore,  and 


PROVIDENCE   CHURCH,  SCRANTON 


Blakely  constituted  a  charge  under  the  name  of  Providence.  In 
1869  Providence  was  alone  and  contained  within  its  bounds  the 
territory  now  in  Park  Place,  Green  Ridge,  and  Providence. 

On  September  9,  1833,  Nathaniel  Cottrill  and  Elisha  D.  Potter 
deeded  the  society  a  lot,  situated  about  where  William  Von 
Storch's  residence  now  stands  on  North  Main  Avenue,  for  $1,000. 
On  this  a  church  was  built  in  1833-34,  which  was  destroyed  by  a 
tornado  on  July  3,  1834.  The  destruction  was  so  complete  that 
the  society  did  not  attempt  to  rebuild.  The  trustees  at  the  time 
were  Alvin  Dana,  Samuel  Griffin,  and  Egbert  B.  Mott. 

After  this  the  society  worshiped  in  an  old  schoolhouse  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street  from  the  wrecked  church  for  a  short 


Providence,  Scranton 


time,  and  then  went  to  a  school  building  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  located  on  the  hill  on  East  Market  Street,  not  far  from  the 
tracks  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad.  The  society  con- 
tinued to  worship  there  until  the  winter  of  1845-46,  when  it  was 
permitted  to  occupy  the  "Bell  Schoolhouse,"  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river,  located  on  North  Main  Avenue  opposite  Weston  Place. 
A  revival  that  winter  added  much  to  the  society.  Shortly  after 
this  the  Presbyterians  erected  a  chapel  on  the  corner  of  Church 
and  Oak  Streets,  and,  having  received  some  help  from  Methodists 
in  the  enterprise,  gave  the  Methodists  the  use  of  their  building. 
The  society  used  this  building  until  it  secured  a  church  of  its  own. 

On  September  20,  1850,  Edmund  Griffin  and  wife  Eliza,  in 
consideration  of  $10  deeded  to  Artemas  Miller,  William  Silkman, 
A.  B.  Silkman,  James  Mott,  Ebenezer  Leach,  and  L.  W.  Wykoff, 
trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Providence  bor- 
ough, the  lot  for  the  church.  Mr.  Griffin  was  a  native  of  this 
place,  and  lived  at  New  York  at  the  time  he  gave  the  lot  tO'  the 
society.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  April  21,  1853,  R^v. 
George  Peck  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  D.  A.  Shepard 
in  the  evening.  The  building  was  of  brick,  36x52,  with  a  vesti- 
bule. A  large  entrance  admitted  to  the  vestibule,  and  two  smaller 
ones  admitted  from  the  vestibule  to  the  auditorium.  The  pulpit 
was  between  these  two  doors  in  the  front  end  of  the  church.  At 
the  rear  of  the  audience  room  the  choir  occupied  elevated  seats. 
The  basement  was  not  finished  at  this  time. 

After  spending  $2,000  in  putting  the  pulpit  into  the  back  part 
of  the  audience  room,  reversing  the  pews,  building  a  place  for  the 
choir  over  the  vestibule,  retinting  the  walls,  and  making  some 
minor  improvements,  the  church  was  reopened  on  May  28,  1865. 
Rev.  R.  Nelson  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  Caleb  Wright 
in  the  evening.  Six  hundred  dollars  was  raised  during  the  day. 
In  1867  an  addition  12x40  was  built  on  the  rear  of  the  basement 
to  better  accommodate  the  Sunday  school. 

In  1872  the  front  of  the  building  was  extended  twenty  feet, 
the  tower  constructed,  entrance  rearranged,  choir  removed  to 
the  right  of  the  pulpit,  basement  finished  under  the  whole  build- 
ing, at  a  cost  of  $7,000.  The  church  was  reopened  on  Thursday, 
October  17,  1872.  Bishop  Wiley  preached  in  the  morning  and 
Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  in  the  evening.  In  1886  $1,300  was  spent  in 
painting  and  putting  in  stained-glass  windows.  The  next  year 
the  floor  was  inclined,  new  pews  purchased,  and  the  walls  deco- 
rated, auditorium  recarpeted,  and  the  basement  thoroughly  re- 
modeled, the  whole  costing  $2,000.   The  chandeliers  in  the  audi- 


9i6 


Wyoming  Conference 


torium  were  put  in  more  recently  by  Miss  Amy  Mulley's  Sunday 
school  class  of  boys.  The  pipe  organ  was  purchased  in  1892,  and 
in  1893  $2,000  was  expended  in  reseating  the  auditorium  and 
needed  repairs. 

On  Wednesday,  January  i,  1902,  the  society  celebrated  its 
''semicentennial,"  at  which  time  addresses  were  made  by  several 
former  and  neighboring  pastors  and  $1,650  indebtedness  can- 
celed. After  spending  $2,500  in  building  an  alcove  back  of  the 
pulpit  for  the  organ  and  choir,  finishing  the  audience  room  in  oak, 
putting  on  a  steel  ceiling,  decorating  the  walls,  and  purchasing 
new  pulpit  furnishings,  the  church  was  reopened  on  Sunday, 
October  11,  1903.  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning 
from  Ezra  v,  3,  and  Rev.  M.  D.  Fuller,  D.D.,  preached  in  the 
evening  from  Luke  ix,  32.  An  interesting  Sunday  school  rally 
was  held  in  the  afternoon. 

In  1848  a  small,  unpretentious  parsonage  was  built  on  North 
Main  Avenue  near  Weston  Place.  When  Providence  separated 
from  Pittston  in  1849  ^^e  society  paid  Pittston  for  its  share  in 
the  house.  In  1863,  the  parsonage  lot  being  a  large  one,  a  part 
was  sold  and  the  proceeds  used  in  enlarging  the  parsonage.  In 
1884  a  large  and  commodious  house  near  the  church  was  pur- 
chased for  $5,000.  The  old  parsonage  was  sold  for  $2,000,  and 
proceeds  used  in  the  new  purchase.  In  1887  this  property  was 
sold  and  the  present  parsonage,  standing  between  the  last  named 
and  the  church,  was  built. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  in  1858,  and  the 
Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society  in  1870. 

The  Quarterly  Conference  has  licensed  the  following:  L.  C. 
Floyd,  P.  R.  Tower,  J.  B.  Sumner,  J.  B.  Sweet,  C.  A.  Benjamin. 

The  years  i860,  1862,  1873,  and  1885  may  be  mentioned,  among 
the  many,  as  years  of  more  than  ordinary  revival  interest. 

Pastorates 

1849,   ;  1850,  Ziba  S.  Kellogg;  1851,  H.  Brownscombe; 

1852,  H.  Brownscombe,  J.  H.  Cargill ;  1853,  Charles  Perkins,  S.  S. 
Kennedy;  1854-55,  J.  F.  Wilbur;  1856-57,  G.  M.  Peck;  1858, 
J.  W.  ]\Iunger;  1859-60,  A.  H.  Schoonmaker;  1861-62,  H. 
Brownscombe;  1863,  G.  H.  Blakeslee ;  1864-65,  G.  M.  Peck; 
1866-67,  George  Peck;  1868-69,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1870-72,  W.  J. 
Judd;  1873-74,  W.  Bixby;  1875-76,  L.  Cole;  1877-79,  R-  W.  Van 
Schoick;  1880,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1881-82,  L.  C.  Floyd;  1883-85, 
A.  J.  Van  Cleft;  1886,  S.  C.  Fulton;  1887-89,  G.  Forsyth;  1890- 
94,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1895-99,  W.  Edgar;  1900-03,  G.  A.  Cure. 


Simpson,  Scranton 


917 


Scranton,  Pa. — Simpson 

A  class  was  organized  here  prior  to  1849  formed  a  part  of 
the  Pittston  Circuit.  From  1849  to  1854,  inchisive,  it  was  served 
by  the  pastor  of  Providence  Circuit,  and  from  1856  to  1861  it 
was  a  part  of  Lackawanna  Circuit,  becoming  a  charge  in  1862. 

In  1853  preaching  services  were  held  monthly  in  the  old  brick 
Baptist  church,  of  which  Rev.  Mr.  Mott  was  pastor.  In  1855 
preaching  services  were  held  in  the  same  church  biweekly.  When 
Lackawanna  Mission  was  created  in  1856  it  consisted  of  Lacka- 
wanna, Taylorville,  and  Hyde  Park,  services  being  held  at  Lack- 
awanna in  the  morning,  Taylorville  in  the  afternoon,  and  Hyde 


SIMPSON   CHURCH,  SCRANTON 


Park  in  the  evening.  At  this  time  the  services  were  taken  to  the 
old  schoolhouse  which  stood  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the 
church.  This  property  was  purchased  by  the  society  in  1857  for 
$1,000,  and  in  1859  ^  parsonage  was  built  by  the  side  of  the 
schoolhouse  church.  In  i860  the  schoolhouse  church  was  sold 
to  H.  Krigbaum,  who  moved  it  tO'  Chestnut  Street,  and  converted 
it  into  a  double  dwelling.  It  may  be  seen  at  Nos.  217  and  219 
Chestnut  Street.  A  brick  church  40x60  feet  was  built,  which 
was  dedicated  in  July,  1861,  Rev.  D.  W.  Bartine,  of  Philadelphia 
Conference,  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

On  the  night  of  February  14,  1869,  the  church  and  parsonage 
were  consumed  by  fire.  The  church  and  parsonage  were  valued 
at  $8,500,  and  the  society  had  but  a  little  while  previous  to  the  fire 


9i8 


Wyoming  Coxferexce 


freed  itself  from  debt.  There  was  but  $i,ioo  insurance.  The 
work  of  rebuilding  began  at  once.  As  soon  as  the  basement  was 
completed  it  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  February  27,  1870,  with 
sermons  by  Rev.  R.  Xelson  in  the  morning  and  Hon.  Caleb 
\\>ight  in  the  evening.  The  pastor  during  the  year  1870  traveled 
throughout  the  Conference  raising  funds  for  the  struggling 
church.  The  church  was  completed,  and  dedicated  on  February 
22,  1872,  Rev.  W.  P.  Abbott,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morning  and 
Rev.  B.  I.  Ives,  D.D.,  at  night. 

The  financial  panic  which  swept  over  the  country  in  the  seven- 
ties greatly  embarrassed  the  society,  as  it  had  a  large  debt  to 
struggle  with  ($17,000).  On  ]\Iarch  13,  1881,  a  service  was  held 
and  over  $13,000  was  subscribed,  which  covered  the  indebtedness 
at  that  time.  On  February  22,  1883,  a  jubilee  service  was  held, 
recognizing  the  fact  that  the  debt  had  been  fully  paid.  The  even- 
ing service  of  the  day  was  unique.  The  pastor  received  sixty- 
eight  on  probation,  baptized  forty,  and  received  five  into  full 
membership.  The  pastor  was  presented  with  a  gold  watch  and 
a  purse  of  $142,  and  his  wife  with  a  fifty-dollar  dress  and  a  purse 
of  $30.  Addresses  were  then  made  by  Revs.  ^Messrs.  Thorpe, 
Hiller,  Peck,  and  Lewis. 

In  1888  the  tower  was  discovered  to  be  unsafe,  and  the  society 
determined  to  rebuild  the  front  of  the  church.  The  entire  front 
of  the  church  was  torn  away  and  a  more  imposing  and  larger 
front  erected.  In  doing  this  the  audience  room  was  lengthened 
about  twenty  feet.  At  the  same  time  the  auditorium  was  re- 
modeled, handsomely  decorated,  and  reseated.  The  building  was 
rededicated  on  February  15,  1890.  The  total  cost  of  these  im- 
provements was  $16,054.  The  sum  of  $3,666  had  been  raised 
prior  to  this  day,  and  during  the  day  $9,388  was  raised,  leaving 
$3,000  unprovided  for.  On  December  7,  1890,  at  5  p.  m.,  the 
church  was  discovered  to  be  on  fire.  The  interior  of  the  building 
was  destroyed.  The  loss  on  the  building  was  covered  by  the  in- 
surance, but  there  was  a  loss  on  the  organ,  the  finest  in  the  city 
at  the  time,  which  was  but  partly  insured.  The  Sunday  school 
library  was  also  ruined.  The  church  was  reopened  on  Sunday, 
]\Iay  10.  1 89 1,  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morn- 
ing and  Rev.  ^I.  S.  Hard,  D.D.,  at  night. 

A  steam-heating  plant  was  installed  in  1902. 

The  parsonage,  valued  at  $4,500,  wa's  built  in  1873. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1857,  and  numbered 
about  sixty.  Its  library  numbered  about  seventy-five  volumes, 
and  the  society  being  poor  could  not  afford  a  suitable  receptacle 


St.  Paul's,  Scranton 


919 


for  the  books.  The  Hbrarian,  accordingly,  carried  the  library  to 
his  home  at  the  close  of  each  session  of  the  school. 

Joseph  A.  Ladd,  Issachar  Pawling,  Isaac  Miller,  W.  H.  Owen, 
William  Munson,  Stephen  W.  Blatchley,  and  John  M.  Acker 
constituted  the  first  board  of  trustees,  the  last  named  also  acted 
as  chorister  over  twenty-five  years. 

On  October  15,  1890,  the  court  granted  the  petition  of  the  so- 
ciety to  change  its  name  from  ''First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
of  Hyde  Park"  to  "Simpson  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Scranton,  Pa." 

Allis  Mission.  During  the  fall  of  1894  cottage  meetings  were 
commenced  in  this  neighborhood  under  the  direction  of  the  pas- 
tor. One  year  later  a  Sunday  school  was  organized,  and  Sunday 
evening  preaching  services  instituted  by  W.  H.  Crawford,  an 
exhorter.  Lots  90x150  feet  on  the  corner  of  Keyser  Avenue  and 
Luzerne  Street  were  donated  by  M.  H.  Dale,  and  in  August, 
1896,  a  chapel  was  built  which  will  seat  seventy-five  people.  The 
membership  is  reported  with  that  of  Simpson  Church,  and  the 
property  is  held  by  the  trustees  of  Simpson  Church.  The  Sunday 
school  superintendent  is  F.  S.  Crawford. 

Simpson  Church  entertained  Wyoming  Conference  in  1867, 
and  again  in  1884. 

In  the  years  1876,  1885,  and  1897  extraordinary  ingatherings 
were  reported. 

Pastorates 

1862-63,  W.  J.  Judd;  1864,  R.  Van  Valkenburg,  F.  L.  Hiller; 
1865,  F.  L.  Hiller;  1866-67,  L.  W.  Peck;  1868,  D.  A.  Shepard; 
1869,  F.  L.  Hiller;  1870,  F.  L.  Hiller,  S.  J.  Austin;  1871,  F.  L. 

Hiller;  1872,   ;  1873,  1.  B.  Hyde;  1874-76,  R.  W.  Van 

Schoick;  1877-79,  W.  L.  Thorpe;  1880-82,  R.  W.  Van  Schoick; 
1883,  A.  L.  Smalley;  1884-85,  G.  M.  Colville;  1886,  S.  Moore; 
i887-88><,  G.  W.  Miller;  i888>4-90,  O.  P.  Wright;  1891-95,  L.  C. 
Floyd;  1896-1900,  J.  B.  Sweet;  1901-03,  H.  C.  McDermott. 

Scranton,  Pa. — St.  Paul's 

This  society  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  cottage  prayer  meeting  in- 
stituted on  Slocum  Flats  by  the  Adams  Avenue  pastor  in  1884. 
After  holding  meetings  in  private  houses  a  while,  the  services 
were  taken  to  school  building  No.  11  on  Pittston  Avenue, 
where  a  Sunday  school  was  organized.   The  growth  of  the  work 


920 


Wyoming  Conference 


demanded  the  erection  of  a  building  suitable  for  the  work.  A 
lot  on  the  corner  of  Cedar  Avenue  and  Cherry  Street  was  pur- 
chased of  William  Council  in  1886  for  $500.  Rev.  John  Davy, 
a  superannuate  member  of  New  York  Conference,  living  in  Scran- 
ton,  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  work.  A  chapel  was  erected  in 
1887  costing  $1,500.  Some  time  before  the  completion  of  the 
building  John  Rogers,  who  had  taken  great  interest  in  the  Sun- 
day school,  was  killed  in  the  mines.  In  his  memory  the  chapel 
was  called  **The  John  Rogers  ^Mission  Chapel."  In  1888  Rev. 
C.  S.  G.  Boone,  a  local  preacher,  was  given  charge  of  the  work. 


ST.  Paul's  church,  scraxton 


In  1889  Rev.  J.  W.  Nicholson  was  appointed  assistant  pastor  of 
Adams  Avenue  Church,  with  the  understanding  that  he  was  to 
have  charge  of  the  south-side  work.  In  1891  the  church  appeared 
among  the  appointments,  taking  the  name  of  Cedar  Avenue 
Church  in  1892,  and  St.  Paul's  in  1902. 

A  parsonage  was  built  on  Cherry  Street  in  1893  costing  $1,700, 
$500  of  which  was  raised  at  the  time.  In  1894  an  extension 
16x26  feet  was  built  on  the  rear  of  the  church,  which  gave  much- 
needed  additional  room.  The  church  was  reopened  August  25, 
1894,  Rev.  S.  H.  Adams,  of  Jamestown,  preaching  the  dedicatory 
sermon,  and  Rev.  L.  C.  Floyd  conducting  the  dedicatory  service. 


Shavertown,  Pa. 


921 


Time  developed  the  fact  that  the  church  property  was  not  lo- 
cated so  as  to  render  the  work  of  the  society  most  efficient.  Ac- 
cordingly, a  lot  was  bought  of  Mrs.  Joseph  K.  Harvey,  on  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1902,  located  on  the  comer  of  Pearl  Street  and  Pittston 
Avenue.  The  lot  is  90x160  feet,  and  was  secured  for  $1,500. 
The  corner  stone  of  the  present  church  was  laid  on  August  7, 
1902,  by  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D.  The  pastor  delivered  the  address 
of  the  day.  The  church  and  parsonage  join  and  cost  $8,500.  The 
old  property  on  Cherry  Street  was  sold  to  the  Scranton  Button 
Company  for  $2,500.  The  dedication  occurred  on  November  16, 
1902.  Rev.  C.  M.  Giffin,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev. 
H.  C.  McDermott,  D.D.,  at  night.  Mr.  J.  W.  Powell  managed  the 
finances  during  the  day  and  secured  $6,300  in  subscriptions.  The 
windows  are  all  memorials. 

Pastorates 

1891-92,  J.  W.  Nicholson;  1893-94,  E.  L.  Santee;  1895-97, 
J.  L.  Race;  1898-1903,  F.  P.  Doty. 

Shavertown,  Pa. 

This  charge  was  formed  in  1891  by  taking  Huntsville  from  the 
Lehman  Circuit,  Trucksville  from  Dallas,  and  Shavertown  from 
Luzerne. 

The  charge  was  called  Trucksville  until  1896,  when  the  name 
was  changed  to  Shavertown. 

Shavertown  was  opened  in  1890  by  the  pastor  at  Luzerne. 
There  is  no  church  at  Shavertown,  but  the  parsonage  is  located 
there  and  was  built  in  1894,  costing  $1,200.  Jacob  Shaver  had 
supervision  of  its  construction. 

Huntsville  class  was  organized  as  early  as  1820.  The  church 
was  built  in  1870,  and  dedicated  on  November  22  of  that  year  by 
Rev.  W.  H.  Olin,  D.D.  It  is  called  "The  Van  Loon  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,"  because  Mr.  James  Van  Loon,  of  Kingston, 
contributed  largely  toward  its  erection. 

Trucksville  appears  among  the  preaching  places  on  Wyoming 
Circuit  in  181 8.  The  church  here  is  supposed  to  have  been  built 
about  fifty  years  ago.  On  July  22,  1853,  Jacob  Rice  and  wife 
Sarah,  in  consideration  of  $100,  deeded  three  quarters  of  an  acre 
of  land  to  Jacob  Rice,  John  P.  Rice,  William  Booth,  Asa  Rice, 
Daniel  Harris,  John  Wall,  and  W.  C.  Hageman,  trustees  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Trucksville. 

Several  revivals  have  strengthened  the  charge. 


922 


Wyoming  Conference 


Pastorates 

1 89 1,  W.  Rawlings;  1892-94,  Clark  Callendar;  1895-96,  N.  J. 
Hawley;  1897-98,  J.  W.  Price;  1899-1900,  P.  Houck;  1901-02, 
L.  T.  Van  Campen ;  1903,  W.  H.  Stang. 

Taylor,  Pa. 

The  class  at  Taylor  was  organized  about  1853  by  the  pastor 
of  Pittston  Circuit,  and  was  a  part  of  Pittston  charge  until  the 
formation  of  Lackawanna  Mission  in  1856,  when  it  became  a  part 
of  that  charge  and  remained  so  until  it  became  a  charge  in  1876. 
The  society  became  incorporated  on  December  30,  1882,  with 
Alexander  Council,  Fred  Courtright,  and  Robert  Linney  trustees. 

The  society  built  its  parsonage  first.  On  February  24,  1882, 
the  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western  Railroad  gave  the  so- 
ciety a  site  for  a  parsonage  on  Main  Street  38x150  feet.  The 


TAYLOR  CHURCH 


house  was  built  in  1882  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.  In  1885  $400  was 
spent  in  improving  it. 

After  worshiping  forty  years  in  the  Presbyterian  church  the 
society  built  a  church  costing  $5,400,  which  was  dedicated  on 
October  30,  1892.  The  lot  corner  of  ]^Iain  and  Taylor  Streets, 
was  purchased  from  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western 
Railroad  Company  for  $600.  The  deed,  however,  was  not  exe- 
cuted until  July  23,  1894.  On  Saturday  evening  prior  to  the 
dedication  Rev.  J.  A.  Faulkner  preached  in  the  old  church.  The 
morning  sermon  on  Sunday  was  by  Rev.  ^L  S.  Hard,  D.D.  In 


TUNKHANNOCK,  Pa. 


the  afternoon  Drs.  Park  and  Floyd,  and  former  pastors  Faulkner, 
Santee,  La  Bar,  and  Olver,  made  addresses,  and  in  the  evening 
Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D.,  preached.   A  mortgage  of  $600  was  to 
be  carried  and  $1,250  raised,  which  was  readily  done. 
The  years  1886  and  1890  were  great  revival  years. 

Pastorates 

1876-78,  E.  L.  Santee;  1879-81,  A.  C.  Olver;  1882-84,  I-  B. 
Wilson;  1885,  R.  J.  Kellogg;  1886,  T.  P.  Halstead ;  1887-91, 
J.  A.  Faulkner;  1892,  I.  J.  Smith;  1893,  W.  W.  Smith;  1894-96, 
F.  A.  King;  1897-98,  W.  Frisby;  1899,  F.  Gendall ;  1900-02,  C.  B. 
Henry ;  1903,  E.  L.  Santee. 

TUNKHANNOCK,  Pa. 

A  class  was  formed  at  a  Mr.  Fancher's  on  Tunkhannock 
Creek  as  early  as  1802.  We  are  unable  to  state  the  location  of 
this  class  relative  to  the  present  society,  but  the  class  was  a  part 
of  Wyoming  Circuit.  Some  years  prior  to  1828  religious  services 
were  held  by  the  Methodists  of  Tunkhannock  in  the  Keating 
schoolhouse,  there  being  no  church  edifice  in  the  town  at  that 
time.  The  class  was  first  part  of  Wyoming  Circuit,  subsequently 
a  part  of  Bridgewater;  following  this  it  was  on  Springville 
Circuit,  and  in  1843  became  a  charge. 

In  1828  there  were  but  seven  members  in  the  class.  During 
the  year,  under  the  labors  of  ''Elder  David  Holmes,  D.D.,"  there 
was  a  revival  in  the  community  which  added  sixteen  members 
to  the  society.  In  1833  Henry  Stark  donated  the  society  a  lot 
on  the  corner  of  Bridge  and  Church  Streets.  Members  of  the 
society  went  to  the  woods  and  prepared  timbers  for  the  frame  of 
the  church,  which  was  raised  and  inclosed,  when  the  work  was 
discontinued.  The  church,  ''after  being  half  finished,  was  sold 
by  the  sheriff,  redeemed,  and  after  standing  five  or  six  years 
in  an  unfinished  and  dilapidated  condition,"  was  finally  finished 
after  a  severe  struggle,  and  dedicated  in  December,  1842.  A  re- 
vival followed  the  dedication  which  resulted  in  over  one  hundred 
conversions.  The  church  was  56x72  and  conformed  to  the  style 
of  the  times,  a  gallery  on  three  sides,  high  pulpit,  and  pews  with 
doors.  It  was  sold  in  the  sixties,  converted  into  a  dwelling  house, 
and  in  1868  destroyed  by  fire. 

When  Tunkhannock  became  a  charge  in  1843,  Washington 
Stansbury  and  William  H.  Jenkins  were  made  class  leaders,  and 
Peter  Sharp,  P.  M.  Osterhout,  Henry  Stark,  and  Nicholas 
Stevens  were  appointed  stewards.    The  first  Quarterly  Confer- 


924 


Wyoming  Conference 


ence  was  held  on  November  25,  1843.  At  this  time  Mount 
Vernon  and  the  Shaw,  Stark,  and  Jenkins  neighborhoods  were 
preaching  places  on  the  Tunkhannock  charge. 

On  October  20,  1868,  Rev.  D.  C.  Olmstead  laid  the  corner  stone 
for  the  present  church,  and  the  building  was  dedicated  on  April 
10,  1869,  Bishop  Ames  preaching  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  B. 
I.  Ives  in  the  evening.  The  church  cost  $12,500,  $3,200  of  which 
was  raised  on  the  day  of  dedication.  The  day  following  was 
Sunday,  when  the  bishop  again  preached  in  the  morning,  and 


TUNKHANNOCK  CHURCH 


Mr.  Ives  in  the  evening  gave  a  temperance  address  of  great 
power,  holding  the  audience  two  and  a  half  hours.  In  1888  $3,500 
was  spent  in  improving  the  church,  which  was  rededicated  on 
June  6,  1888,  by  Bishop  Foss.  Among  the  improvements  at  this 
time  were  the  extension  of  the  building,  and  the  fitting  up  of  a 
commodious  class  and  Epworth  League  room.  Since  1899  the 
auditorium  has  been  carpeted,  papered,  a  new  organ  purchased, 
and  the  building  lighted  by  electric  lights.  The  organ  is  the  gift 
of  Mrs.  P.  S.  Bilhngs,  her  son  W.  P.  Billmgs,  and  her  daughter 
Mrs.  J.  C.  Thayer,  in  memory  of  the  husband  and  father,  P.  S. 
Billings,  who  was  a  prominent  official  of  the  church  many  years. 


Wanamte,  Pa. 


925 


The  parsonage  was  built  in  1879  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  It  has 
since  been  improved  and  repaired  several  times. 

Good  revivals  were  witnessed  in  1852-53,  1855,  1863,  1867, 
1869,  1886,  and  1900. 

In  the  middle  of  the  Conference  year  of  1846  Rev.  P.  S.  Wor- 
den  was  moved  to  Kingston,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Wilcox  filled  out 
the  year.  In  1848  Tunkhannock  was  with  Springville.  Rev.  H. 
R.  Clarke  resigned  his  pastorate  in  December,  1871,  and  Rev.  J. 
L.  Race  filled  out  the  balance  of  the  year. 

In  1873  a  $1,200  debt  was  paid,  and  from  1892  to  1895  $1,800 
of  a  $2,100  debt  was  paid. 

Pastorates 

1843,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1844,  D.  G.  York;  1845-46,  P.  S.  Worden; 
1847,  L.  S.  Bennett;  1848,  with  Springville;  1849-50,  H. 
Brownscombe;  1851,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1852-53,  J.  F.  Wilbur; 
1854,  L.  D.  Tryon;  1855,  F.  S.  Chubbuck;  1856-57,  C.  Perkins; 
1858,  I.  D.  Warren;  1859-60,  B.  B.  Emory;  1861-62,  A.  H. 
Schoonmaker;  1863-64,  L.  Peck;  1865,  J.  V.  Newell;  1866-67, 
J.  L.  Legg;  1868-70,  S.  F.  Brown;  1871,  H.  R.  Clarke;  1872-73, 
J.  L.  Race;  1874-75,  J.  K.  Peck;  1876-77,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1878, 
George  Comfort;  1879-80,  G.  M.  Colville;  1881-83,  S.  F.  Brown; 
1884-86,  W.  J.  Hill;  1887-89,  G.  C.  Lyman;  1890,  H.  M.  Cryden- 
wise;  1891,  J.  F.  Warner;  1892-95,  W.  M.  Hiller;  1896-97,  J.  C. 
Leacock;  1898-1903,  H.  H.  WillDur. 

Wanamie^  Pa. 

The  territory  within  the  bounds  of  this  charge  was  formerly 
a  part  of  the  Newport  Circuit,  and  subsequently  a  part  of  Han- 
over, becoming  a  separate  charge  in  1886. 

The  society  worshiped  in  the  old  ''Center"  church  (Lutheran) 
some  time  before  building.  Squire  Vandemark  gave  a  site,  and 
a  church  was  built  on  it  in  1853,  which  cost  about  $1,200.  This 
building  was  thoroughly  renovated  in  1881,  and  in  1889  $700 
was  spent  in  building  two  wings  to  the  church  and  making  some 
minor  improvements.  The  church  was  reopened  on  December 
22,  1889,  Rev.  W.  M.  Hiller  preaching  the  sermon  and  Rev.  R. 
W.  Van  Schoick  conducting  the  dedicatory  services. 

The  site  for  the  present  church  was  purchased  of  the  Lehigh 
and  Wilkes-Barre  Coal  Company  and  Richard  Morris,  one  half 
from  each,  and  cost  $900.  The  church  has  a  basement  nicely 
fitted  for  social  work,  and  an  attractive  auditorium  above  it.  The 


926 


Wyoming  Conference 


building  cost  $4,500,  and  was  dedicated  by  a  festival  of  dedica- 
tion in  March,  1902. 

In  1888  one  hundred  conversions  were  reported,  and  in  1898 
there  were  thirty  accessions. 

James  A.  Dewey  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school 
many  years. 

Alden.  The  class  was  organized  a  number  of  years  before  the 
church  was  built,  and  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse.  In  1890  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna,  and  Western  Railroad  Company  gave  the 
society  a  building  lot,  upon  which  a  church  was  built  costing 
$2,800.  The  building  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  June  29,  1890. 
Rev.  A.  Grififin  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  George  Forsyth 
in  the  evening.  In  the  afternoon  a  children's  meeting  was  held 
addressed  by  Joseph  Evans  and  Revs.  J.  K.  Peck  and  R.  W.  Van 
Schoick.   The  sum  of  $1,800  was  raised  during  the  day. 

In  1899  a  revival  added  twenty-five  to  this  society. 

Thomas  Turner  has  served  as  Sunday  school  superintendent 
many  years. 

Pastorates 

1886,  George  Greenfield;  1887,  R.  P.  Christopher;  1888-89, 
D.  A.  Sanford;  1890,  W.  Keatley ;  1891,  W.  Keatley,  E.  R. 
Hanton ;  1892,  W.  Keatley;  1893-94,  J.  Madison,  J.  H.  Brunges; 
1895,  T.  M.  Furey;  1896-97,  J.  A.  Transue ;  1898-1903,  F.  D. 
Cornell. 

Waverly,  Pa. 

Waverly  was  the  center  of  the  old  Abington  Circuit.  This 
territory  was  first  served  by  the  preachers  of  Wyoming  Circuit. 
The  first  Methodist  preaching  place  in  this  section  was  at  Mr. 
Leach's  in  1818.    (See  Chinchilla.) 

The  Waverly  class  was  organized  in  1832  by  Rev.  Samuel 
Griffin,  with  the  following  members  :  Owen  Wight  and  wife, 
Xehemiah  Tinkham  and  wife,  Rev.  S.  Griffin  and  wife,  Mrs. 
Elvira  Whaling,  and  Ann  Stevens.  Services  were  held  in  a 
schoolhouse,  standing  near  the  residence  of  Colonel  J.  G.  Fell, 
which  still  stands  and  is  used  as  a  dwelling  house.  Among  the 
members  who  joined  the  church  later  were  William  La  Bar  and 
wife,  J.  S.  Mershon  and  wife,  Jane  Tinkham,  Sarah  J.  and  Celinda 
Stone,  Rhoda  M.  Jones,  Mary  A.  Sherman,  W.  R.  Finch  and  wife, 
A.  M.  Coon  and  wife,  Mary  Thompson,  Benjamin  Knight, 
A.  J.  Stone  and  wife,  Deborah  Bedford,  Dr.  A.  Bedford,  Lois  B. 


Waverly,  Pa. 


927 


Gorman,  Elizabeth  Palmer,  Rebecca  White,  Elizabeth  Bailey, 
N.  N.  Dean  and  wife.  Deborah  Bedford  was  converted  and 
joined  the  Ross  Hill  class  in  1788,  and  lived  an  irreproachable 
Christian  life  eighty-one  years,  dying  in  1869  in  her  ninety- 
seventh  year. 

This  territory  was  undoubtedly  a  part  of  Wyoming  Circuit 
from  1 8 18  to  1831  inclusive.  We  have  given  us  a  list  of  pastors 
serving  Waverly  and  contiguous  places  as  follows:  1832-33, 
Samuel  Griffin;  1833-34,  B.  Ellis;  1836-37,  William  Rcddy;  1838- 


WAVERLY  CHURCH 


39,  B.  Ellis ;  1840,  D.  F.  Reed.  We  are  unable  to  harmonize  this 
list  of  appointments  with  anything.  They  are  not  given  in  the 
Minutes,  and  do  not  correspond  with  those  published  of  Canaan, 
Bridgewater,  Pittston,  or  Wyoming  Circuits. 

When  Abington  Circuit  appeared  among  the  appointments  in 
1 84 1  it  contained  the  following  preaching  places:  Abington 
Center  (Waverly),  West  Abington,  Factory ville,  Corners  School- 
house,  Shook  Schoolhouse,  Bald  Mount,  Breeches  Pond,  North 
Abington,  Yellow  Schoolhouse,  Clarksville,  Wallsville,  Green- 
woods, and  Red  Schoolhouse — thirteen  places.  Later  the  Red 
Schoolhouse  was  dropped,  and  Post  Town  and  White  School- 


928 


Wyoming  Conference 


house  added.  This  circuit  comprised  the  territory  now  in 
Waverly,  Wallsville,  Nicholson,  Factoryville,  Falls,  Newton,  and 
Clark's  Summit  charges. 

In  1 871  the  name  Abington  was  changed  to  Waverly.  Dalton 
was  attached  to  Waverly  for  a  while. 

The  society  became  incorporate  on  October  20,  1843,  "The 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Abington  Center,  Luzerne 
County,  Pa.,"  with  Gerton  Hall,  Samuel  Griffin,  Benjamin 
Knight,  Andrew  Bedford,  Leonard  Hopfer,  Owen  Vought,  and 
Norman  Phelps  trustees. 

The  church  was  erected  in  1842.  On  February  27,  1881,  after 
an  outlay  of  $1,000  in  improving  the  building,  it  was  reopened. 
Rev.  D.  Copeland,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning  and  Rev.  W.  H. 
Olin,  D.D.,  in  the  evening.  The  building  was  extensively  re- 
paired in  1886.  In  1890  the  church  was  hit  by  lightning,  after 
which  $1,000  was  spent  in  building  a  new  tower,  putting  in  new 
windows,  decorating  the  walls,  and  painting  the  exterior.  The 
church  was  reopened  on  Sunday,  December  14,  1890,  Rev.  J.  E. 
Perry,  of  the  W^averly  Baptist  Church,  preaching  to  the  united 
congregations. 

Waverly  entertained  the  Wyoming  Conference  in  May,  1857. 
The  parsonage  property  was  bought  in  1852,  and  the  house  has 
been  greatly  improved  since. 

Clark's  Green.  Preaching  services  were  held  here  as  early  as 
1841,  and  the  class  organized  some  time  before  1848.  This  place 
was  an  appointment  on  the  Abington  Circuit.  In  1865  Clark's 
Green,  Leach's  Flats,  and  Ackerley's  were  taken  from  Abington 
Circuit  and  constituted  a  charge.  Shortly  afterward  Ackerley's 
was  merged  with  Leach's  Flats  and  Shultzville  taken  on.  In 
1883  Clark's  Green  went  back  to  Waverly  charge. 

''The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Clark's  Green"  was  in- 
corporated on  July  14,  1868,  George  Swallow,  James  S.  Wagner, 
Albert  I.  Ackerley,  Giles  Leach,  Erastus  D.  Larue,  William  Al- 
worth,  and  David  Cosner  being  the  first  trustees.  The  church 
was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  February  25,  1869,  cost  between 
$3,000  and  $4,000.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preached  the  dedicatory 
sermon.  In  1880  $350  was  spent  in  improving  the  building,  and 
in  1886  it  was  again  greatly  improved. 

During  the  time  Clark's  Green  was  an  appointment  it  was 
served  as  follows:  1865-67,  Parley  H.  Scovill;  1868-69,  J- 
Davis;  1870-72,  O.  M.  Martin;  1873-74,  S.  J.  Austin;  1875-77, 
F.  A.  King;  1878-80,  G.  C.  Lvman ;  1881-82,  G.  T.  Price. 


West  Nanticoke,  Pa. 


929 


Pastorates 

1841,  D.  F.  Reed;  1842,  John  Mulkey;  1843-44,  C.  Perkins; 

1845-46,  C.  E.  Taylor;  1847,  \  1848,  T.  Wilcox;  1849,  A.  H. 

Schoonmaker ;  1850,  J.  F.  Wilbur,  E.  F.  Roberts;  1851,  J.  F. 
Wilbur;  1852-53,  A.  Bronson;  1854,  L.  Cole;  1855-56,  D.  Wor- 
rall;  1857-58,  S.  S.  Barter;  1859-60,  H.  Brownscombe;  1861-62, 
Asa  Brooks;  1863,  D.  C.  Olmstead;  1864-65,  C.  E.  Taylor;  1866- 
68,  F.  L.  Hiller;  1869-71,  J.  G.  Eckman;  1872-73,  A.  C.  Bowdish; 
1874,  L.  W.  Peck;  1875-77,  G.  A.  Severson;  1878-79,  A.  W. 
Cooper;  1880,  G.  C.  Lyman;  1881-82,  W.  Treible;  1883-84,  S.  J. 
Austin;  1885-87,  F.  Gendall;  1888-89,  S.  Jay;  1890-91,  J.  B. 
Sweet;  1892-96,  F.  H.  Parsons;  1897-98,  J.  B.  Sumner;  1899- 
1903,  M.  S.  Godshall. 

West  Nanticoke,  Pa. 

For  some  time  prior  to  1872  a  union  Sunday  school  had  been 
held  at  West  Nanticoke,  running  only  through  the  warm  weather, 
and  was  under  the  leadership  of  some  Baptist  people.  Rev.  Mr. 
Sheerer,  a  Baptist  minister,  preached  here  some  time,  having  his 
appointment  once  in  four  weeks.  In  the  fall  of  1872,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  Jacob  Bonawitz,  a  Methodist  Sunday  school  was  or- 
ganized, which  was  to  continue  through  the  winter.  The  school 
had  one  hundred  members,  and  Mr.  Bonawitz  was  the  superin- 
tendent. The  school  has  continued  until  now.  After  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  school  F.  Gendall,  Frank  Gray,  Henry  Gray,  Mr. 
Dexter,  and  Charles  Haynes,  local  preachers  from  Plymouth, 
alternated  in  preaching  here  morning  and  evening.  In  1874  West 
Nanticoke  was  placed  with  Nanticoke  for  pastoral  oversight,  and 
continued  with  Nanticoke  until  1886,  when  it  became  a  charge 
with  C.  S.  Lane  as  pastor. 

The  church  was  built  in  1886  at  a  cost  of  $1,500,  exclusive 
of  the  lot.  This  building  was  32x46  feet.  In  1900  the  work  of 
remodeling  began.  It  was  raised,  thirteen  feet  added  to  its  width, 
and  a  basement  constructed  under  the  whole  for  Sunday  school 
and  social  purposes.  A  tower  was  built,  stained-glass  windows 
put  in  the  building,  circular  pews  purchased,  auditorium  carpeted, 
new  organ  purchased,  and  several  minor  improvements  made,  the 
whole  costing  $2,600,  The  church  was  rededicated  on  Sunday, 
August  18,  1901.  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D.,  preached  in  the  morning, 
Rev.  A.  J.  Van  Cleft  in  the  afternoon,  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Hiller  in 
the  evening.  During  the  day  $2,000  was  raised,  thus  providing 
for  the  total  cost  of  the  improvements. 

59  i 


930 


Wyoming  Conference 


The  parsonage  was  built  in  1893  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.  It  has 
since  been  somewhat  enlarged. 

In  1890,  after  serving  the  charge  a  few  months,  the  pastor 
resigned,  and  Rev.  E.  B.  Singer  was  sent  to  fill  out  the  year. 
Before  the  year  closed  one  of  the  greatest  revivals  the  charge  has 
known  was  enjoyed.  In  the  fall  of  1892  the  pastor  left  to  attend 
Drew  Theological  Seminary.  The  balance  of  the  year  was  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  J.  B.  Santee. 

Pastorates 

1886,  C.  S.  Lane;  1887-89,  W.  Keatley;  1890,  L.  W.  Peck; 
1891-92,  F.  N.  Smith;  1893-94,  A.  D.  David;  1895-97,  Clark 
Callendar;  1898,  P.  Houck;  1899-1902,  E.  L.  Santee;  1903,  J.  R. 
Wagner. 

West  Pittston,  Pa. 

The  rapid  growth  of  West  Pittston  rendered  it  necessary  to 
organize  a  society  and  build  a  church.  The  Pittston  church,  seeing 
this,  took  measures  to  organize  such  a  society,  which  was  done 
on  January  27,  1873.  Rev.  I.  T.  Walker,  who  was  pastor  of  the 
Pittston  church  at  the  time,  and  under  whose  direction  the  divi- 
sion was  effected,  writes:  "The  male  members  met  pursuant  to 
public  notice  at  the  Vine  Street  schoolhouse,  in  West  Pittston,  on 
Monday,  January  27,  1873,  7:30  p.  m.,  for  the  purpose  of 
electing  trustees  of  the  newly  formed  church,  and  also  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  a  Quarterly  Conference.  The  meeting  was 
called  to  order  by  B.  D.  Beyea,  who,  after  prayer  by  Rev.  George 
Peck,  D.D.,  .  .  .  nominated  nine  persons  as  trustees,  who  were 
duly  elected."  The  board  elected  consisted  of  B.  D.  Beyea,  C.  S. 
Stark,  Charles  Pugh,  B.  Downing,  W.  R.  Sax,  David  Jones, 
B.  Sharkey,  Thomas  Ford,  and  G.  B.  Rommel.  After  election 
the  board  organized  by  electing  B.  D.  Beyea  president,  C.  S. 
Stark  secretary,  and  Thomas  Ford  treasurer. 

In  forming  the  new  society  the  Pittston  church  gave  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety-three  of  its  members,  which  was  one  half,  less 
one,  of  its  total  membership.  The  first  board  of  stewards  con- 
sisted of  Thomas  B.  Lance,  W.  R.  Sax,  Chandler  Williams, 
Thomas  Nichols,  Henry  Searle,  Peter  Rinker,  William  McCabe, 
B.  D.  Beyea,  and  H.  C.  Dewey.  Following  this  the  usual 
Disciplinary  committees  were  appointed. 

The  society  proceeded  to  build  a  church  on  the  corner  of  Wyo- 
ming and  Montgomery  Streets.  The  building  committee  con- 
sisted of  Thomas  Ford,  B.  D.  Beyea,  and  W.  R.  Sax.   The  con- 


West  Pittston,  Pa. 


93T 


tract  was  let  to  William  O'Malley,  and  the  work  pushed  rapidly 
forward,  so  that  when  the  Conference  of  1873  appointed  a  pastor 
to  West  Pittston  he  found  the  basement  of  the  church  completed, 
formally  opened,  and  occupied  by  the  society.  The  Sunday  school 
was  organized  soon  after  Conference.  The  building  was  com- 
pleted, and  dedicated  on  August  26,  1873.  Rev.  R.  Nelson,  D.D., 
preached  in  the  morning  from  Heb.  i,  14,  and  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  in 
the  evening  from  Rom.  xii,  i.    The  entire  cost  of  building  and 


lot  was  $42,000,  $31,000  of  which  was  raised  on  this  day,  the 
balance  having  been  previously  raised. 

It  was  found  in  1878  that  the  society  was  $8,000  in  debt.  The 
financial  depression  in  the  country  had  rendered  some  unable  to 
meet  their  subscriptions.  The  indebtedness  was  unpaid  subscrip- 
tions and  accumulated  interest.  In  1883  $6,074  was  paid  on 
indebtedness,  reducing  the  debt  to  $1,926.  The  building  was 
repaired  and  beautified  at  a  cost  of  $3,500,  and  the  pews  supplied 
with  Hymnals.  In  1890  $1,250  was  expended  in  grading  the 
grounds,  laying  walks,  and  building  a  barn.  In  1895  $1,200  was 
spent  in  repairs  upon  the  church.  In  1900  the  building  was  ex- 
tensively repaired.    The  stairway  from  the  vestibule  to  the 


WEST  PITTSTON  CHURCH 


932 


Wyoming  Conference 


auditorium  was  improved,  the  floor  of  the  auditorium  inclined, 
pews  remodeled,  the  whole  church  refrescoed,  a  new  pipe  organ 
purchased,  auditorium  carpeted,  and  a  steam-heating  plant  in- 
stalled at  a  total  cost  of  $10,000.  The  reopening  services  were 
held  on  September  9,  1900.  The  pastor  preached  in  the  morning 
and  Rev.  C.  E.  Mogg,  D.D.,  in  the  evening.  The  sum  of  $5,000 
was  raised  during  the  day,  the  balance  having  been  previously 
raised. 

The  parsonage  was  erected  in  1884  at  a  cost  of  $3,500. 
West  Pittston  entertained  the  Wyoming  Conference  in  1878, 
1889,  and  1901. 

While  most  of  the  pastors  have  witnessed  gracious  seasons  of 
revival  work,  the  revival  during  the  winter  of  1885-86,  in  which 
over  three  hundred  were  converted  and  two  hundred  and  ten 
received  on  probation,  is  spoken  of  as  the  greatest  revival  in  the 
history  of  the  church. 

Pastorates 

1873-74,  W.  B.  Westlake;  1875-77,  S.  Moore;  1878-80,  A. 
Griffin;  1881-83,  O.  W.  Scott;  1884-86,  J.  G.  Eckman;  1887-89, 
H.  M.  Crydenwise;  1890-92,  C.  A.  Benjamin;  1893-94,  O.  H.  Mc- 
Anulty;  1895-98,  W.  G.  Simpson;  1899-1903,  O.  L.  Severson. 

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. — Bennett  Chapel 

This  society  is  a  mission  of  the  Franklin  Street  Church,  and 
is  the  outgrowth  of  a  Sunday  school  which  was  started  by  Walter 
J.  Symons,  Andrew  E.  Symons,  and  Alfred  Johns  on  January  8, 
1893,  with  a  membership  of  sixty-nine.  The  sessions  of  the 
school  were  held  in  the  Baltimore  PubHc  School  building  on 
Scott  Street.  John  V.  Brownell  was  the  first  superintendent. 
Until  going  into  the  chapel  the  work  was  limited  to  the  session 
of  the  school  and  a  prayer  meeting  each  week.  After  the  chapel 
was  opened  one  preaching  service  was  held  each  Sunday  until 
1 901.  At  this  time  the  assistant  pastor  of  Franklin  Street  was 
given  charge  of  this  work,  and  since  then  there  has  been  a 
morning  and  evening  sermon. 

The  site  for  the  church  was  purchased  of  the  Delaware  and 
Hudson  Canal  Company  for  $1,800.  The  corner  stone  of  the 
chapel  was  laid  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Boyle,  D.D.,  assisted  by  other 
clergymen,  on  September  20,  1894.  The  chapel  cost  $4,500,  and 
was  dedicated  on  January  20,  1895,  Rev.  G.  E.  Reed,  LL.D., 
preaching  the  sermon.  It  is  located  on  the  corner  of  North 
Grand  Street  and  Stillard  Lane,  and  is  called  Bennett  Chapel 


Bennett  Chapel,  Wilkes-Barre  933 


because  Mrs.  Priscilla  Bennett  gave  $2,400  toward  its  construc- 
tion, the  balance  of  the  $4,500  being  raised  among  the  Franklin 
Street  people.  The  purchase  price  of  the  lot  is  yet  to  be 
provided  for. 

The  bell  in  this  church  was  given  to  the  society  by  the  Central 
Church  and  hung  in  the  Ross  Street  Church  for  years.  It  was 
given  to  the  Ross  Street  Church  by  the  Franklin  Street  Church, 


BENNETT  CHAPEL,  WILKES-BARRE 

and  according  to  Rev.  William  Wyatt  was  used  in  the  Old 
Ship  Zion. 

The  Sunday  school  superintendents  have  been  John  V. 
Brownell,  Byron  G.  Hahn,  Professor  Pringle,  and  C.  W.  Miller. 

Prior  to  1901  the  following  preached  here:  C.  H.  Seward, 
C.  W.  Smith,  John  C.  Tennant,  and  Jonas  Underwood.  In  1901 
C.  H.  Seward  served  the  society,  and  D.  S.  McKellar  in  1902-03. 


Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. — Central 

This  society  had  its  origin  in  the  Woodville  Sunday  school, 
which  met  on  the  upper  side  of  Academy  Street  near  Maine.  The 
school  met  in  the  schoolhouse,  w^hich  was  swept  by  the  women 
every  Saturday  preparatory  to  the  Sunday  service.  Mother 
Wood  was  the  first  superintendent,  and  was  followed  by  George 
Moore.    Increasing  population  made  a  church  necessary.  In 


934 


Wyoming  Conference 


1855  the  project  took  form.  Rev.  William  Wyatt  purchased  the 
lot  on  Ross  Street.  The  lot  was  purchased  of  Matthew  Handley 
for  $500,  the  deed  for  which  was  executed  on  August  12,  1858, 
William  Wood,  Matthew  Wood,  William  Dickover,  John  C. 
Frederick,  and  Lord  Butler  being  trustees  of  'The  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Woodville"  at  the  time.  The  ladies  insti- 
tuted a  fair  and  supper  to  pay  for  it.  Moses  Wood,  commonly 
called  ''Father  Wood,"  an  English  Wesleyan  who  settled  here, 


OLD   CENTRAL   CHURCH   AND   PARSONAGE,,  WILKES-BARRE 


left  a  bequest  of  $500  to  aid  in  building  a  church  on  his  old  farm. 
The  ladies  raised  at  least  $1,500  toward  the  church  enterprise. 
Mrs.  Wyatt  went  to  White  Haven  and  Carbondale  and  secured 
enough  money  to  put  the  roof  on  the  building.  In  the  spring  of 
1857  the  building  was  so  far  completed  as  to  permit  the  use  of  the 
basement.  Mr.  Wyatt  regarded  this  enterprise  as  one  of  the 
greatest  achievements  of  his  ministry.  He  and  his  wife  did 
invaluable  service  in  the  starting  of  the  project. 

In  1857  the  charge  appeared  among  the  appointments.  The 
pastor  at  once  began  to  formally  organize  the  society,  canvassing 


Central  Church,  Wilkes-Barre  935 


that  section  of  the  city  for  members.  Forty  members,  mostly 
from  FrankHn  Street,  were  secured,  and  the  church  properly 
organized,  with  trustees,  stewards,  and  committees.  'The 
minutes  of  the  official  board  give  the  following  account  of  the 
first  meeting :  'Pursuant  to  a  call  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  Asa  Brooks, 
the  board  of  stewards  met  in  the  Woodville  Church  on  July  7, 
1857,  the  evening,  A.  Brooks  in  the  chair,  Josiah  Bennett 
secretary.  Members  present:  Josiah  Bennett,  William  Dickover, 
Matthew  Wood,  John  Taylor  Bennett.  On  motion,  J.  T.  Bennett 
and  Silas  Finch  were  elected  to  take  the  collections  in  the  church, 
and  Matthew  Wood  was  elected  treasurer.  On  motion,  the  ter- 
ritory was  divided  for  the  stewards  to  collect  money  for  the 
salary  of  A.  Brooks,  and  Main  Street  is  to  be  the  line.  J.  T.  Ben- 
nett and  Matthew  Wood  took  the  south  side  and  Josiah  Bennett 
and  William  Dickover  the  north  side.  On  motion,  adjourned.' 
Of  the  first  board  there  are  still  living  two — William  Dickover, 
who  is  with  us,  and  John  Taylor  Bennett,  who  is  living  in  South 
Dakota." 

Revival  services  were  commenced  which  resulted  in  three  hun- 
dred conversions,  and  over  two  hundred  were  added  to  the 
church.  Rev.  W.  P.  Abbott  was  one  of  the  converts  and  joined 
the  church.  Rev.  A.  H.  Wyatt  received  his  first  license  to  preach 
from  this  society,  and  preached  his  first  sermon  here  on  the  word 
"Eternity." 

The  building  was  completed  so  as  to  be  dedicated  in  1858. 

The  bell  from  the  "Old  Ship  Zion"  was  secured  and  put  in  the 
steeple.  However,  this  is  not  the  first  bell  which  was  in  the  old 
church,  but  one  put  in  after  the  Methodists  came  to  be  sole  owners 
of  the  church.  This  bell  is  now  in  the  Bennett  Chapel,  having 
been  given  to  the  society  by  the  Central  Church. 

In  1867  the  building  was  extended  twenty-eight  feet  and 
otherwise  improved.  It  was  reopened  on  December  25,  1867, 
Rev.  D.  W.  Bartine,  D.D.,  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  preaching  in  the 
morning  and  Rev.  J.  McKendree  Reiley,  D.D.,  of  Danville,  Pa., 
preaching  in  the  evening. 

From  1879  to  1881  $10,300  was  paid  on  indebtedness,  and 
during  the  next  three  or  four  years  the  remaining  indebtedness 
of  $3,000  was  canceled. 

In  1883  $3,530  was  spent  in  repairs,  and  the  church  was  re- 
opened on  Thursday,  November  i,  1883.  At  2  p.  m.  Rev.  L.  C. 
Muller  preached,  and  in  the  evening  a  platform  meeting  was  held 
addressed  by  Revs.  J.  G.  Eckman,  L.  C.  Floyd,  and  H.  M.  Cry- 
denwise,  and  letters  were  read  from  several  former  pastors. 


936 


Wyoming  Conference 


A  parsonage  was  built  on  Franklin  Street  where  William 
Tuck's  residence  stood  latterly.  This  property  was  sold  about 
1869,  and  in  1872  the  parsonage  on  Ross  Street  was  built,  costing 
$5,500. 

During  the  Conference  year  1885-86  two  hundred  and  sixty 
probationers  were  received  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-three 
into  full  membership.  This  revival  season  was  as  noted  as  that 
under  Rev.  Asa  Brooks's  administration.  Almost  every  pastor 
has  seen  accessions  by  revival  work,  yet  these  two  seasons  were 
the  greatest. 

The  society  was  called  Woodville  Church  until  1867,  when  the 


NEW  CENTRAL  CHURCH,  WILKES-BARRE 

name  was  changed  to  Ross  Street,  and  in  1881  the  present  name 
was  adopted. 

The  site  for  the  present  church  was  purchased  of  the  Oster- 
hout  Library  Association  for  $17,000. 

Ground  was  broken  for  the  present  church  on  June  9,  1899, 
and  on  September  26  of  that  year  Bishop  Fowler  laid  the  corner 
stone.  The  services  were  held  in  the  Armory,  after  which  the 
audience  marched  to  the  building  site  and  witnessed  the  laying 
of  the  stone.  The  building  and  furnishings  cost  $97,000.  On 
Sunday,  March  24,  1901,  the  pastor  preached  at  the  morning 
service,  baptized  forty-two  adults,  received  eighty- eight  proba- 
tioners into  full  membership,  ninety-four  on  probation,  and 
twenty-three  by  letter.  In  the  evening  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce,  D.D., 
preached,  and  the  sermon  was  followed  by  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper.    This  day  was  the  beginning  of  a  rich  week's 


Derr  Memorial,  Wilkes-Barre 


937 


services.  During  the  week  various  denominations  in  the  city 
conducted  services  with  representative  preachers  from  ahroad 
preaching  the  sermons.  On  one  evening  Bishop  Fowler  deHvered 
his  lecture  on  Lincoln.  Sunday,  March  31,  was  the  culmination 
of  the  feast.  Bishop  Fowler  preached  in  the  morning  from  Rom. 
viii,  14,  and  in  the  evening  Rev.  E.  M.  Mills,  D.D.,  preached  from 
John  iv,  36.  During  the  day  $45,000  was  subscribed  to  provide 
for  the  unprovided  cost  of  the  enterprise.  At  the  close  of  the 
evening's  offering  the  church  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Fowler. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  an  important  factor  in  the 
work  of  this  church  from  the  beginning.  In  the  new  church 
project  it  raised  over  $3,000,  the  Sunday  school  $4,000,  the  Ep- 
worth  League  $100,  and  the  Young  Lady  Workers  $2,000. 

E.  H.  Jones  gave  $5,000  to  pay  for  the  organ  as  a  memorial  to 
his  father  and  mother — Richard  Jones,  his  father,  was  the  first 
chorister.  Mrs.  Elijah  Wadhams  gave  $1,000  as  a  memorial  to 
her  husband.  Many  other  gifts  might  be  mentioned,  though  not 
so  large,  equally  as  commendable. 

William  Dickover  was  a  member  of  the  first  official  board,  and 
still  continues  to  be  on  the  board. 

The  old  church  was  sold  to  the  Atlantic  Land  Company  for 
$10,000.  The  old  parsonage  is  still  owned  by  the  church.  The 
present  parsonage  is  adjoining  the  church. 

Matthew  Wood  and  Hon.  E.  C.  Wadhams  each  served  as  Sun- 
day school  superintendent  about  fifteen  years.  Ralph  Wadhams 
was  elected  in  1892,  and  still  serves  the  church  in  that  capacity. 

Pastorates 

1857-58,  Asa  Brooks;  1859-60,  N.  W.  Everett;  1861-62,  S.  W. 
Weiss;  1863-65,  H.  Wheeler;  1866-68,  J.  G.  Eckman ;  1869-71, 
L.  C.  Floyd;  1872-73,  L.  W.  Peck;  1874-76,  F.  L.  Hiller;  1877-78, 
D.  C.  Olmstead;  1879-81,  H.  M.  Crydenwise;  1882-83,  S.  C. 
Fulton;  1884-86,  G.  W.  Miller;  1887-90,  A.  Griffin;  1891,  O.  P. 
Wright;  1892-931^,  W.  H.  Reese;  i893>4-95>4,  J.  W.  Webb; 
i895>^-i903,  C.  E.  Mogg. 

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. — Derr  Memorial 

The  growth  of  the  city  northward  made  it  advisable  to  open 
work  in  that  section  of  the  city.  Accordingly,  in  1869,  a  Sunday 
school  was  started.  Having  no  chapel,  the  sessions  of  the  school 
were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  on  Courtright  Avenue.  Later  in 
the  same  year  Charles  A,  Miner,  George  B.  Kulp,  and  Edward 


938 


Wyoming  Conference 


H.  Chase  donated  a  lot  on  North  Franklin  Street,  and  still  later 

Mr.  Kulp  gave  an  adjoining  lot.  A  chapel  was  erected  in  1870 
costing  $2,700.  This  was  a  mission  of  the  Franklin  Street 
Church,  workers  going  up  there  each  Sunday  to  carry  on  the 
work.  Theron  E.  Burnett  was  the  first  superintendent,  and  was 
succeeded  as  follows :  P.  M.  Carhart,  Charles  H.  Wheelock,  Dr. 
W.  G.  Weaver,  Dr.  E.  Shelp,  Dunning  Sturdevant,  A.  C. 
IMontanye,  Frank  Puckey,  I.  C.  Kline,  Oliver  Phillips,  W.  E. 
Doran,  Rev.  A.  D.  Decker,  Rev.  J.  E.  Bone.  G.  W.  James,  the 
present  incumbent,  has  served  since  1893.  Miss  Lenore  Perry 
has  made  a  great  record  as  superintendent  of  the  infant  depart- 
ment during  the  last  twenty  years. 


DERR   MEMORIAL,  WILKES-BARRE 


On  ]\Iarch  22,  1888,  a  charter  was  granted  to  'The  Fourth 
]\Iethodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,"  and  the  following 
persons  were  named  as  the  trustees:  George  B.  Kulp,  president; 
Frank  Puckey,  secretary ;  J.  W.  Lear,  A.  P.  Krum,  J.  T.  Morgan, 
W.  E.  Doran,  and  A.  C.  IMontanye.  By  the  action  of  Conference 
this  became  a  separate  charge  in  1891.  Franklin  Street  Church 
manifested  a  tender  interest  in  her  child  by  defraying  a  large  per 
cent  of  the  annual  expenses  for  several  years.  As  the  society 
grew  the  amount  given  was  decreased  until  the  new  society  could 
get  along  without  assistance. 

Mrs.  Mary  D.  Derr,  an  estimable  lady  of  the  Franklin  Street 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  seeing  the  need  of  a  better-located 
and  more  commodious  church,  donated  the  ground  on  North 
Main  Street,  and  $5,000  toward  the  erection  of  a  suitable  church, 


Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre  939 


to  be  a  memorial  to  her  deceased  husband,  Mr.  Henry  H.  Derr, 
Esq.,  who  had  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
the  society.  The  church,  which  cost  $10,000,  was  dedicated  on 
November  27,  1892,  by  Bishop  Goodsell.  The  sum  of  $2,500  was 
raised  on  the  day  of  dedication.  Subsequently  (1893)  the  old 
chapel  on  Franklin  Street  was  sold  to  the  German  Lutherans  for 
$2,000.  In  1893  a  parsonage  project  was  launched.  Some 
funds  were  raised  and  plans  for  a  house  secured.  The  house 
was  built  in  1894,  costing  $3,000,  and  the  pastor  moved  into  it  on 
December  20.  In  1895  the  house  was  improved  by  papering, 
putting  in  mantels,  sideboard,  cementing  the  cellar  floor,  and  the 
grounds  graded  and  fenced.  In  1900  $1,800  was  spent  in  church 
and  parsonage  improvements. 

The  winters  of  1893,  1895,  1898,  1899,  and  1902  were  seasons 
of  gracious  ingathering. 

Pastorates 

1891-92,  J.  E.  Bone;  1893,  A.  F.  Chaffee;  1894,  G.  A.  Place; 
1895-98,  J.  F.  Warner;  1899-1903,  W.  J.  Hill. 

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. — Franklin  Street 

It  is  evident  that  the  preachers  of  Wyoming  Circuit  began 
work  here  at  an  early  day.  William  Colbert  preached  in  the 
meetinghouse  at  Wilkes-Barre  on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  May 
19,  1793.  This  meetinghouse  was  the  one  at  Hanover  Green.  It 
was  never  finished,  but  was  used  regularly  for  preaching  services. 
Asbury  preached  in  it  when  he  visited  Wyoming.  He  also 
preached  in  the  courthouse  during  this  visit  (1793). 

During  the  first  year  of  Alward  White's  service  on  Wyoming 
Circuit,  1795,  a  remarkable  revival  occurred  in  the  borough  of 
Wilkes-Barre,  in  which  large  numbers  were  converted.  The 
work  moved  all  classes  of  society,  reaching  some  of  the  best 
families  and  also  some  of  the  hardest  characters  of  the  place. 
This  revival  added  strength  to  the  struggling  society. 

One  night,  and  it  must  have  been  about  this  time,  while  Valen- 
tine Cook,  the  presiding  elder,  was  preaching,  an  attempt  was 
made  to  smoke  the  society  out  with  brimstone  matches.  The 
matches  were  made  by  winding  cloth,  or  paper,  around  a  stick 
and  rolling  it  in  melted  brimstone.  "Their  plan  was  to  light  these 
matches  and  throw  them  down  the  chimney.  The  person  who 
was  appointed  to  carry  out  the  project  went  upon  the  roof  and 
lit  his  matches,  and  from  some  cause  let  go  his  hold  and  slid 


940 


Wyoming  Conference 


down  the  roof,  and  came  to  the  ground  matches  in  hand  in  the 
midst  of  his  companions.  The  fumes  of  the  burning  brimstone 
almost  stifled  them,  and  they  had  to  run  for  Hfe.  It  did  not 
molest  the  meeting,  for  the  worshipers  knew  nothing  about  it 
until  the  persons  concerned  in  the  scheme  told  of  it  themselves, 
when  it  made  a  great  deal  of  amusement  for  both  saints  and  sin- 
ners." This  incident  occurred  while  a  preaching  service  was 
being  held  at  a  Mr.  Mann's  residence.  This  Mann  was  a  friend 
of  William  Colbert.    Here  he  frequently  stopped.    It  is  probable 


that  his  home  was  the  first  in  the  county  seat  that  was  opened  to 
]\Iethodist  preachers. 

On  Sunday,  April  i6,  1797,  Mr.  Colbert  records  the  fol- 
lowing: "Preached  in  the  courthouse  in  Wilkes-Barre  to  an  at- 
tentive congregation,  some  of  whom,  I  suppose,  were  deists.  I 
felt  myself  for  some  time  at  a  loss  for  a  subject  to  address  these 
people  on.  I  wanted  to  preach  pointedly  against  deism,  but  was 
afraid  I  should  not  do  justice  to  such  an  important  subject;  and 
as  it  seemed  probable  that  a  great  part  of  them  professed  to 
believe  the  Bible,  I  spoke  to  them  accordingly,  and  concluded 
with  a  word  to  deists."  In  the  Minutes  Mr.  Colbert  is  appointed 
to  Chester  Circuit.    He  appears,  however,  to  have  done  some 


THE    ''old    ship    ZION/'  WILKES-BARRE 


Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre 


941 


work  in  this  section,  and  some  upon  Bristol  Circuit,  and  was 
appointed  to  Wyoming  in  1798. 

The  Old  Ship  Zion  was  located  on  the  public  square,  as  will  be 
seen  by  the  map  below.  The  pen  drawing  is  not  made  to  a  scale. 
It  is  simply  for  the  purpose  of  showing  the  position  of  the  church 
on  the  square.  Nor  is  it  intended  to  show  the  relative  size  of  the 
various  buildings,  simply  location.  The  church  was  a  wooden 
structure,  45x65,  with  a  steeple,  and  its  front  was  about  three 
rods  from  the  street.  The  building  was  started  in  1800,  inclosed 
in  1803,  and  finished  in  18 12.  The  work  of  building  proceeded 
slowly  because  the  people  were  poor  and  funds  were  not  readily 
secured.  Perhaps  the  controversy  in  regard  to  the  ownership  of 
lands  had  something  to  do  with  the  delay.   The  first-named  cause 


was  undoubtedly  the  prevailing  one.  The  old  ferry  house  was 
sold  and  the  proceeds  used  in  building  the  church.  In  1808  *'The 
Wilkes-Barre  Meetinghouse  and  Bank  Lottery"  was  organized 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  funds.  While  the  church  received 
some  help  from  the  lottery,  the  scheme  was  a  failure,  and  some 
of  its  promoters  lost  quite  heavily.  The  building  was  erected  with 
the  understanding  that  it  should  not  be  under  the  exclusive  con- 
trol of  any  denomination.  While  it  is  true  that  the  Congrega- 
tionalists  may  have  subscribed  more  than  others,  yet  it  is  also 
true  that  some  Methodists  gave,  and  some  who  belonged  to 
no  Church  gave,  and  all  with  the  understanding  that  it  was 


942 


Wyoming  Conference 


a  union  church.  The  building  was  occasionally  used  by  the 
Methodists. 

After  being  inclosed  Ephraim  Chambers  preached  a  funeral 
sermon  in  it.  A  wag  observed,  'That  will  be  a  Methodist  church, 
you'll  see."    This  was  somewhat  prophetic. 

In  1826  Rev.  George  Peck  was  in  charge  of  the  work  at 
Wilkes-Barre,  and  says:  'The  society  had  suffered  serious  in- 
conveniences for  the  want  of  a  suitable  place  of  worship,  and 
during  the  present  year  they  petitioned  the  county  commissioners 
to  give  them  a  lease  of  a  hall  in  the  upper  part  of  the  courthouse 
for  a  chapel.  .  .  .  The  lease  is  dated  March  8,  1827.  It  held  for 
ten  years,  and  the  consideration  is  the  nominal  sum  of  ten  cents 
per  annum."  The  rental  of  the  courthouse  was  undoubtedly  be- 
cause it  was  becoming  more  and  more  difficult  to  get  the  use  of 
the  church  when  desired.  In  1829  the  Congregationalists  became 
Presbyterians  as  a  condition  upon  which  Rev.  Nicholas  Murray 
accepted  the  pastorate.  The  Presbyterians  held  the  keys  to  the 
church.  At  a  meeting  held  in  the  courthouse  it  was  resolved  to 
hold  services  biweekly,  and  subsequently  the  society  resolved  to 
enforce  its  claim  to  a  partial  use  of  the  Old  Ship  Zion.  The  war 
was  on.  The  Presbyterians  claimed  exclusive  ownership,  and  the 
Methodists  claimed  it  was  a  union  church,  "toward  the  construc- 
tion of  which  they  had  liberally  contributed." 

'The  Presbyterians  held  the  keys,  and  the  doors  were  locked 
agianst  the  invading  Methodists.  Committees  were  appointed 
by  the  outs,  but  the  ins  refused  to  confer.  At  length  the  followers 
of  Wesley  assembled  in  the  courthouse,  and  resolved  to  enter  the 
church  at  all  hazards.  They,  accordingly,  with  the  approval  of 
their  pastor,  the  Rev.  Morgan  Sherman,  appointed  Joseph  Slocum 
[grandfather  of  George  S.  Bennett],  Abraham  Thomas,  David 
CoUings,  and  others,  a  committee  to  storm  the  Lord's  house.  Mr. 
Slocum  forced  the  windows  with  a  crowbar,  and  Mr.  Thomas, 
like  Samson  at  Gaza,  lifted  the  door  from  its  hinges.  The  people 
entered  the  building,  and,  by  direction  of  James  McClintock, 
Esq.,  attorney  for  the  Methodists,  broke  the  locks  from  pulpit 
and  pew  doors.  Mr.  Sherman  then  approached  the  sacred  desk, 
and  commenced  religious  worship  by  giving  out  the  hymn  com- 
mencing : 

"  'Equip  me  for  the  war, 
And  teach  my  hands  to  fight.' 

'Tn  his  opening  prayer  the  minister  thanked  the  Lord  for  many 
things,  but  particularly  that  they  could  'worship  under  their  own 
vine  and  fig  tree,  fezv  daring  to  molest,  and  none  to  make  them 


Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre  943 


afraid.'  At  the  close  of  his  discourse  Mr.  Sherman  said,  'With 
the  permission  of  Divine  Providence,  I  will  preach  in  this  house 
again  in  two  weeks  from  to-day.'  Whereupon  Oristus  Collins, 
Esq.,  arose  and  said,  'At  that  time  this  church  will  be  occupied  by 
another  congregation.'  Mr.  Sherman  repeated  his  notice,  and 
Mr.  Collins  repeated  his  reply,  after  which  the  benediction  was 
pronounced,  and  the  congregation  quietly  dispersed. 

''On  another  occasion  the  Methodists  entered  the  church  on 
Sunday  morning  in  advance  of  the  Presbyterians.  Just  as  the 
Rev.  Benjamin  Bidlack  was  about  giving  out  the  first  hymn 
Matthias  HoUenback,  Esq.,  accompanied  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tracy, 
a  Presbyterian  clergyman,  entered  the  house,  and  walking  a  few 
steps  up  the  aisle  thus  addressed  the  preacher:  'What  are  you 
doing  here?'  'Page  144,  short  meter,'  said  Mr.  Bidlack.  'What 
is  that  you  say?'  inquired  Mr.  Hollenback.  'I  say,  page  144, 
short  meter,'  was  the  reply.  Whereupon  Mr.  Hollenback  and 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Tracy  retired  from  the  church,  while  Mr.  Bidlack 
proceeded  with  the  religious  exercises." — Annals  of  Luzerne 
County,  pp.  284-286. 

This  religious  war,  which  is  somewhat  amusing  to  us  of 
the  present  day,  was  drawn  to  a  close  by  the  Methodists  pur- 
chasing the  interest  of  the  Presbyterians  in  the  church  in  183 1 
for  $1,000. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  note  that  the  Wilkes-Barre  class  paid 
$7.30  quarterage  in  1803,  $11.25  1804,  $11.16  in  1805,  and 
$15.96  in  1806. 

The  class  formed  a  part  of  Wyoming  Circuit  from  its  birth 
until  1826.  After  the  first  quarter  of  this  year  had  passed,  upon 
petition  of  the  society  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Wilkes-Barre  was  made  a 
charge  with  Hanover  and  Plains  as  outside  preaching  places,  and 
appeared  in  the  Minutes  as  a  charge  in  1827  with  George  Peck  as 
pastor.  During  1828  and  1829  Wilkes-Barre  formed  a  part  of 
Wyoming  Circuit,  and  in  1830  appeared  as  an  appointment  again, 
and  remained.  Mr.  Peck  received  for  his  work  in  1827  less 
than  $100. 

The  society  was  formally  organized  on  September  16,  1830. 
"Charles  Nash,  preacher  in  charge;  Robert  Miner  and  Comfort 
Cary,  exhorters.  The  stewards  were  Gilbert  Barnes,  Sharp  D. 
Lewis,  Ziba  Bennett,  Robert  Miner,  and  David  Thompson.  The 
class  leaders  were  Gilbert  Barnes,  Robert  Miner,  Thomas  Brown, 
Lorenzo  Ruggles,  David  Thompson,  and  Samuel  Gaskill.  Trus- 
tees, John  Carey,  Joseph  Slocum,  Ziba  Bennett,  Sharp  D.  Lewis, 
Lewis  Worrall,  Abraham  Thomas,  and  Anning  O.  Cahoon." 


944 


Wyoming  Conference 


As  the  church  grew  it  became  necessary  to  have  a  place  for 
holding  social  meetings,  as  there  was  no  room  in  the  church 
suitable  for  that  purpose.  In  1836  Mr.  Ziba  Bennett  built  a 
suitable  building  and  gave  it  to  the  society.  It  was  situated  on 
North  Main  Street,  on  the  site  of  J.  H.  Montanye's  tin  store. 
Mr.  Montanye's  tin  shop  in  the  rear  of  his  store  is  the  old  prayer 
room  built  by  Mr.  Bennett,  it  having  been  moved  back  to  make 
room  for  the  store.  Sunday  school  and  preaching  services  were 
held  in  the  church,  and  the  other  services  in  this  building.  The 
thrifty  growth  of  the  society  soon  made  it  manifest  that  more 
commodious  quarters  must  be  had.  Accordingly,  a  committee 
was  appointed  in  1846  to  solicit  subscriptions  for  a  new  church. 
Mr.  Ziba  Bennett  donated  a  lot  on  Franklin  Street.  Sufficient 


OLD  FRANKLIN  STREET  CHURCH,  WILKES-BARRE 


subscriptions  having  been  secured  to  warrant  the  trustees  in  com- 
mencing work,  a  building  committee  was  appointed  in  1848,  con- 
sisting of  Ziba  Bennett,  Lord  Butler,  William  Wood,  and  Sharp 
D.  Lewis.  In  1849  the  old  church  on  the  square  was  sold  to  O. 
Collins,  G.  M.  Hollenback,  and  Charles  Dennison  for  $600.  It 
was  torn  dow^n  and  removed.  The  new  church  on  Franklin 
Street  was  built  of  brick,  56x80  feet,  33  feet  high.  It  had  two 
class  rooms  and  an  infant  class  room.  The  floor  of  the  audi- 
torium seated  about  650,  and  the  gallery  would  seat  about  one 


Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre  945 


hundred.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  October  4, 
1849.  Rev.  Jesse  T.  Peck,  D.D.,  of  Dickinson  College,  was  the 
preacher  of  the  day,  preaching  in  the  morning  from  Psa.  cxlv, 
5-14,  and  in  the  evening  from  Psa.  xc,  5.  The  building  cost 
$8,200.  On  the  day  of  dedication  $1,000  was  raised  to  provide  in 
full  for  its  cost.  At  the  time  of  its  erection  it  was  the  finest  and 
most  commodious  building  of  its  kind  in  this  section  of  the 
country. 

In  1874  Mrs.  Priscilla  Bennett  offered  to  build  a  commodious 
and  modern  Sunday  school  room  on  condition  that  the  congrega- 
tion should  raise  a  like  amount  to  remodel  the  old  church  or  build 
a  new  one.    The  proposition  was  gladly  accepted.    The  com- 


NEW  FRANKLIN  STREET  CHURCH^  WILKES-BARRE 

mittee  having  charge  of  the  project  consisted  of  George  S.  Ben- 
nett, B.  G.  Carpenter,  D.  L.  Rhone,  P.  Abbott,  and  H.  H.  Derr. 
The  lot  upon  which  the  Sunday  school  room  was  built  was  given 
by  Ziba  Bennett  and  Mrs.  Martha  Phelps.  The  building,  ex- 
clusive of  site,  cost  $27,500.  The  ladies  of  the  society  contributed 
the  furnishings  of  the  church  rooms  in  the  building.  It  was 
dedicated  on  February  11,  1877,  Rev.  J.  H.  Vincent  preached  in 
60 


946 


Wyoming  Conference 


the  morning  from  Col.  iii,  i6.  The  afternoon  service  of  the  Sun- 
day school  was  of  extraordinary  interest.  Addresses  were  made 
by  Rev.  J.  H.  Vincent  and  Chaplain  McCabe.  This  Sunday 
school  room  was  the  first  of  its  kind  built  in  the  East,  and  was 
modeled  after  Mr.  Miller's  school  room  at  Akron,  O. 

Gilbert  Barnes  was  superintendent  until  1850,  when  Lord  But- 
ler was  appointed,  but  he  held  the  office  only  one  year.  In  1852 
Ziba  Bennett  was  elected,  and  served  until  1867,  when  W.  W. 
Loomis  was  elected,  serving  one  year.  In  1868  the  present  in- 
cumbent was  elected,  George  S.  Bennett.  We  have  no  other 
record  of  so  long  a  term  of  service  within  our  Conference.  The 
school  adopted  the  graded  system  a  number  of  years  ago,  and 
has  made  a  great  success  of  it.  The  school  has  also  made  a  great 
success  of  its  missionary  collections.  Mrs.  Priscilla  Bennett  was 
the  assistant  superintendent  many  years. 

The  corner  stone  for  the  present  church  was  laid  Tuesday, 
September  18,  1883,  at  which  time  Rev.  Henry  Brownscombe 
read  an  historical  address,  and  Rev.  Y.  C.  Smith  made  an  ad- 
dress. Rev.  J.  O.  Woodruff,  the  pastor,  laid  the  stone,  assisted 
by  several  neighboring  pastors.  The  building,  which  cost  $72,000, 
was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  October  4,  1885.  Bishop  Foster 
preached  in  the  morning  from  Rom.  i,  20,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
sermon  conducted  the  dedicatory  service.  Rev.  J.  H.  Vincent, 
D.D.,  preached  in  the  evening  from  John  xxi,  21,  22.  Mrs. 
Priscilla  Bennett  gave  the  organ,  costing  $4,800,  also  two  memo- 
rial windows,  one  in  memory  of  her  mother  and  one  in  memory 
of  her  sisters,  Mrs.  Mary  Lee  Paine  and  Mrs.  Margaret  Lee 
Doolittle.  In  1886  $2,147  was  expended  in  repairs,  and  in  1897 
$5,400  was  spent  in  repairs  and  improvements,  at  which  time  Mrs. 
Bennett  replaced  the  first  organ  by  the  present  one,  which  cost 
$10,000.   This  organ  has  64  stops  and  2,273  pipes. 

In  1818  it  was  resolved  "that  a  preacher's  home  be  built  on  this 
circuit  (Wyoming),  and  a  committee  appointed  to  select  the 
ground.  In  1819  trustees  were  chosen  to  receive  the  title  to  a 
lot  in  Wilkes-Barre,  given  by  Samuel  Thomas,  of  Kingston,  on 
which  to  build  a  preacher's  house.  It  was  built  on  land  now 
occupied  by  the  Harvey  law  building  on  North  Franklin  Street." 
On  January  i,  1823,  George  Lane  and  wife  Sarah,  in  considera- 
tion of  $100,  deeded  a  lot  on  New  Street,  containing  eleven  or 
twelve  perches,  to  Thomas  Borbridge,  Darius  Williams,  Jacob 
Rice,  Comfort  Gary,  David  Thompson,  Gilbert  Barnes,  and 
Myron  B.  Helm,  trustees  of  Wyoming  Circuit.  This  is  un- 
doubtedly the  lot  referred  to  in  the  quotation  above.    At  the 


Franklin  Street,  Wilkes-Barre  947 


separation  of  Wilkes-Barre  from  the  Wyoming  Circuit,  the 
Wilkes-Barre  society  paid  the  circuit  $474  for  its  interest  in  the 
property. 

On  November  16,  1835,  Edmund  Taylor  and  wife  Mary,  in 
consideration  of  $1,000,  deeded  to  John  Carey,  Joseph  Slocum, 
Ziba  Bennett,  Lord  Butler,  Robert  Miner,  and  James  C.  Heeme, 
trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a 
property  on  the  west  side  of  Franklin  Street,  and  about  one 
hundred  feet  from  Union  Street,  which  was  used  as  a  parsonage 
until  an  exchange  was  made  with  Mr.  Bennett  for  the  present 
one  by  the  church.  In  1903  several  thousand  dollars  were  spent 
in  improving  the  present  house. 

Ziba  Bennett,  Lord  Butler,  and  Sharp  D.  Lewis  were  a  trio  of 
stalwart  men  in  the  early  history  of  the  church.  Ziba  Bennett 
was  a  class  leader  for  some  time ;  his  wife,  however,  led  the  class. 
The  first  Mrs.  Bennett,  as  the  last,  appears  to  have  been  a  re- 
markable woman. 

This  society  has  entertained  the  following  Conferences :  Gen- 
esee, in  June,  1827;  Oneida,  in  August,  1843;  Wyoming,  in  June, 
1855,  April,  1862,  April,  1870,  April,  1874,  April,  1886,  and 
March,  1892. 

The  church  has  been  visited  by  a  number  of  sweeping  revivals. 
For  its  interest  in  Derr  Memorial  and  Bennett  Chapel,  see 
sketches  of  each. 

Pastorates 

1827,  George  Peck;  1828-29,  ^i^h  Wyoming  Circuit,  1830-31, 
Charles  Nash;  1832,  H.  F.  Rowe;  1833-34,  Selah  Stocking;  1835, 
J.  M.  Snyder;  1836,  R.  Fox,  M.  Pearce,  sup.;  1837,  R.  Fox; 
1838-39,  David  Holmes,  Jr.;  1840,  D.  W.  Bristol,  J.  Barnes; 
1841,  D.  W.  Bristol,  E.  Owen;  1842,  John  Seys;  1843,  D.  Holmes, 
Jr.;  1844-45,  D.  A.  Shepard;  1846-47,  Bostwick  Hawley;  1848-49, 
T.  H.  Pearne;  1850-51,  Nelson  Rounds;  1852-53,  George  Peck; 
1854,  W.  Wyatt;  1855-56,  H.  Brownscombe;  1857-58,  J.  M. 
Snyder;  1859,  Z.  Paddock;  1860-61,  Jacob  Miller;  1862-63,  J.  A. 
Wood;  1864-66,  Y.  C.  Smith;  1867-68,  H.' Brownscombe ;  1869- 
71,  T.  M.  Reese;  1872-73,  A.  H.  Wyatt;  1874-76,  W.  H.  Olin ; 
1877-79,  J.  E.  Smith;  1880-82,  S.  Moore;  1883-85,  J.  O.  Wood- 
ruff; 1886-87,  A.  H.  Tuttle;  1888,  A.  H.  Tuttle,  J.  E.  Bone, 
assistant;  1889-90,  W.  Phillips,  J.  E.  Bone,  assistant;  1891-95, 
J.  R.  Boyle;  1896-1900,  W.  H.  Pearce;  1901,  J.  H.  Bickford, 
C.  FL  Seward,  assistant;  1902-03,  J.  H.  Bickford,  D.  S.  McKel- 
lar,  assistant. 


948 


Wyoming  Conference 


Wilkes-Barre^  Pa. — Parrish  Street 

In  the  early  part  of  1870  Rev.  C.  S.  Alexander,  under  the  super- 
vision and  with  the  help  of  his  brother  A.  D.,  who  was  then 
stationed  at  Ashley,  began  meetings  in  the  Parrish  Street  school- 
house.  A  great  revival  followed  and  a  class  was  formed,  John 
Benning,  a  member  of  Ross  Street  Church,  being  appointed 
leader.  The  class  became  known  as  the  Hill  Class,  and  formed 
a  part  of  Ashley  charge.  Soon  after  the  revival  the  class  began 
to  plan  for  a  church  building,  which  was  dedicated  on  March  17, 
1872.  In  the  spring  of  1872  the  class  became  a  separate  charge 
known  as  the  Wilkes-Barre  Mission,  and  Rev.  D.  Marvin  (a 


parrish  street  church,  WILKES-BARRE 

supply)  became  the  pastor.  In  the  spring  of  1873  the  society  had 
thirty-two  full  members,  eleven  probationers,  and  a  church  prop- 
erty with  a  probable  value  of  $3,500,  upon  which  there  was  a  debt 
of  $1,300.   From  1873  to  1875  the  debt  was  reduced  to  $420. 

In  1888  the  church  was  enlarged  and  improved  at  an  expense 
of  $3,715,  most  of  which  was  paid  before  the  spring  of  1890. 
The  building  was  again  improved  in  1901,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000, 
which  amount  was  raised  on  the  day  of  reopening.  Sermons  of 
the  day  were  by  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  A.  Griffin,  D.D. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1895,  costing  $4,500,  $2,000  of 


Sherman  Street,  Wilkes-Barre  949 


which  was  paid  at  the  time.  Since  the  building  of  the  house  the 
debt  has  been  steadily  reduced. 

The  history  of  this  society  has  been  characterized  by  extensive 
revivals. 

Pastorates 

1872,  D.  Marvin;  1873-75,  H.  Brownscombe;  1876-78,  O.  L. 
Severson;  1879-81,  E.  L.  Santee;  1882,  L.  Jennison;  1883-85,  H. 
Brownscombe;  1886,  J.  Underwood;  1887-89,  E.  L.  Santee;  1890- 
92,  J.  N.  Lee;  1893,  W.  B.  Westlake;  1894-96,  L.  C.  Murdock; 
1897-1903,  W.  H.  Hiller. 

Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. — Sherman  Street 

The  first  Quarterly  Conference  of  this  society  was  organized 
on  March  19,  1888,  at  which  time  the  society  had  fifty  members. 
A  lot  was  purchased  on  Sherman  Street  and  the  corner  stone  of 
the  church  laid  by  Rev.  R.  W.  Schoick  on  Wednesday,  October 
31,  1888,  Rev.  J.  E.  Price,  D.D.,  making  the  address  of  the  occa- 
sion. The  church,  which  cost  about  $4,000,  was  dedicated  on 
June  4,  1889,  by  Bishop  Foss.  This  church  has  received  aid  from 
the  Missionary  Society  since  its  organization.  It  was  organized 
to  do  work  among  the  Welsh-speaking  people,  but  its  history  has 
not  fulfilled  expectations.  Shortly  after  organization,  many  of 
its  members,  on  account  of  hard  times,  returned  to  Wales,  or  went 
to  some  other  coal  region.  Subsequently  a  heated  controversy, 
occasioned  by  the  introduction  of  an  English  service  on  Sunday 
evenings,  militated  against  a  thrifty  growth. 

Pastorates 

1888-90,  Isaac  Jenkins;  1891-94,  Thomas  Jenkins;  1895,  J.  B. 
Williams;  1896-99,  H.  P.  Morgan;  1900-01,  W.  H.  Hiller,  E.  M. 
Jones;  1902,  W.  W.  Rothrock;  1903,  H.  L.  Brenner. 

Wyoming,  Pa. 

This  society  originally  formed  a  part  of  Wyoming  Circuit.  As 
early  as  1793  preaching  services  were  held  at  Philip  Jackson's. 
He  lived  on  what  was  afterward  known  as  the  Fisher  Gay  place. 
The  monument  to  those  who  were  massacred  in  the  battle  of  Wy- 
oming now  stands  on  the  place.  Mr.  Jackson's  wife  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  society,  and  he  had  once  been.  A  Mr.  Rosencrantz 
lived  where  "the  old  red  house,"  or  the  "Captain  Breese  House," 
afterward  stood,  on  the  bluff  near  the  Wyoming  depot.  Both 
of  these  places  were  used  as  preaching  places  in  the  early  days. 


950 


Wyoming  Conference 


In  1795  a  quarterly  meeting  was  held  at  Mr.  Jackson's.  The 
Quarterly  Conference  was  held  upstairs.  Mrs.  Bedford  says: 
*'We  heard  them  shouting  and  praising  the  Lord.  My  mother, 
Betsy  Dennison,  Polly  Dennison,  Clara  Pierce,  Polly  Pierce,  and 
myself  went  into  an  adjoining  room  and  looked  in,  when  we  saw 
them  all  lying  on  the  floor.  The  one  near  the  door  said :  'Sisters, 
come  in.'  We  went  into  the  room,  and  as  soon  as  we  entered  the 
place  we  all  fell,  so  wonderfully  was  the  power  of  God  manifested 
on  that  occasion."  The  love  feast  and  sermon  of  the  next  day 
were  times  of  refreshing,  indeed.   A  gracious  revival  followed. 

Dr.  George  Peck  says  he  took  up  work  at  New  Troy  (Wyo- 


WYOMING  CHURCH 


ming)  in  1818  which  had  been  neglected.  Just  how  long  it  had 
been  neglected  or  to  what  extent  the  society  had  suffered,  and  what 
was  the  strength  of  the  society  at  that  time,  does  not  appear. 

Prior  to  1842  this  class  worshiped  in  private  houses  and  the 
district  schoolhouse.  About  1840  the  Christians  erected  a  church 
which  was  subsequently  sold  by  the  sheriff.  This  property  was 
deeded  to  the  Methodists  on  October  6,  1842,  by  Volney  L.  Max- 
well and  wife  Lydia  in  consideration  of  $10.  The  trustees  at  this 
time  were  Ezra  Breese,  John  Goodwin,  Philo  Bowers,  George  M. 
Peck,  and  John  Jenkins. 

The  society  was  quite  weak  until  the  revival  of  1847,  under  the 
labors  of  Rev.  T.  H.  Pearne,  when  Mr.  William  Swetland,  Payne 
Pettebone,  and  other  leading  business  men  of  the  community 


Wyoming,  Pa. 


951 


were  brought  into  the  church.  That  revival  made  the  church 
strong  for  a  generation. 

In  1848  the  society,  with  Exeter  (West  Pittston)  and  Forty 
Fort  as  afternoon  appointments,  became  a  charge,  bearing  the 
name  of  New  Troy,  which  name  it  bore  until  1861,  when  it  was 
given  the  name  of  Wyoming.  In  the  fall  of  1848  $1,600  was  spent 
in  putting  a  basement  under  the  auditorium  for  Sunday  school 
and  social  purposes,  and  otherwise  improving  the  building.  In 
1849  a  parsonage  lot  was  bought  for  $450.  A  barn  for  the  pastor's 
use  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  of  horse  sheds  were  built.  In 
1849-50  the  parsonage  was  built,  the  family  of  Rev.  C.  W.  Gid- 
dings  living  in  it  a  short  time  before  Conference. 

At  the  Conference  of  i860  Kingston  and  New  Troy  were 
united  under  the  name  of  New  Troy  and  Kingston  Circuit,  and  in 
1 861  the  name  was  changed  to  Wyoming  and  Kingston  Circuit. 
In  1864  the  charge  was  divided,  since  which  time  each  point  has 
been  a  charge. 

The  old  church  property  was  sold  about  1881  to  William  Han- 
cock for  $4,900,  and  a  lot  with  a  good  sexton's  house  upon  it  was 
purchased  for  $4,300.  The  house  was  moved  to  the  rear  of  the 
lot,  and  in  1882  the  present  parsonage  was  built,  which  with  sheds 
and  outbuildings  cost  $8,722.76.  The  church  and  furniture  cost 
$24,449,  and  was  given  to  the  society  by  Payne  Pettebone  and 
family.  The  bell,  costing  $593,  was  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Alice  Shoe- 
maker Van  Scoy,  of  Kingston,  and  Mrs.  Frances  Shoemaker 
Brownscombe,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  in  memory  of  their  parents  Isaac 
C.  and  Katherine  Ann  Shoemaker,  who  had  been  honored  mem- 
bers of  this  society.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday, 
July  18,  1883,  Rev.  T.  H.  Pearne,  D.D.,  preaching  in  the  morning 
and  Rev.  L.  C.  Muller  in  the  evening.  In  the  afternoon  a  reunion 
of  former  pastors  and  friends  added  interest  to  the  day. 

In  1887  $600  was  spent  in  improving  the  parsonage. 

On  July  29,  1888,  the  Isaac  Shoemaker  Memorial  Chapel,  at 
West  Wyoming,  which  cost  $2,250,  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  R.  W. 
Van  Schoick. 

Pastorates 

1848,  B.  Hawley;  1849,  C.  W.  Giddings;  1850-51,  B.  W.  Gor- 
ham;  1852-53,  L.  D.  Tryon;  1854-55,  G.  M.  Peck;  1856,  A.  H. 
Schoonmaker;  1857-58,  H.  Brownscombe;  1859,  Asa  Brooks; 
i860,  Asa  Brooks,  W.  J.  Judd;  1861,  W.  J.  Judd;  1862-63,  L. 
Cole;  1864-65,  J.  La  Bar;  1866,  H.  Wheeler;  1867-69,  A.  J.  Van 
Cleft;  1870-71,  S.  W.  Weiss;  1^72-72,,  R-  W.  Van  Schoick;  1874- 


952 


Wyoming  Conference 


76,  J.  C.  Leacock;  1877-79,  F.  L.  Hiller;  1880-82,  J.  C.  Shelland; 
1883-85,  Y.  C.  Smith;  1886-89,  M.  D.  Fuller;  1890-94,  G.  C.  Ly- 
man; 1895-99,  W.  Treible;  1900-01,  S.  Jay;  1902-03,  W.  T.  Blair. 

Yatesville,  Pa. 

This  society  is  the  outgrowth  of  what  was  known  in  early  days 
as  the  "Thompson  neighborhood"  class,  of  which  Francis  Yates 
was  the  leader  in  1825.  The  original  members  were  Francis 
Yates,  Daniel  Bowman,  Jesse  Gamer,  George  Price,  William  Day, 
John  Thompson,  and  their  wives.  The  class  belonged  to  the 
Pittston  charge.  Services  were  held  in  private  houses  until  the 
Thompson  schoolhouse  was  built,  and  in  that  from  its  erection 
until  1852,  when  the  place  of  meeting  was  changed  to  the  Yates- 
ville  schoolhouse.  At  this  time  the  class  was  reorganized,  and 
consisted  of  Francis  Yates,  Joseph  Natrass,  George  Robinson, 
and  their  wives,  Sarah  Learch,  and  Rosetta  Monk.  Under  the 
leadership  of  Father  Yates  the  class  increased  and  a  Sunday 
school  was  organized. 

In  1862  a  portion  of  the  society  withdrew  and  organized  a 
Wesleyan  Methodist  Church,  erected  a  small  church,  and  held 
preaching  services.   In  a  few  years  most  of  them  returned. 

In  1864  the  society  commenced  to  build.  The  basement  was 
completed  in  1865  so  as  to  be  used  for  services.  The  building 
was  completed  in  1874,  the  dedicatory  sermons  being  preached 
by  Revs.  Thomas  Harroun  and  W.  J.  Judd. 

The  class  became  a  charge  in  1874,  and  George  Robinson, 
Thomas  Natrass,  and  Francis  Yates  were  the  first  trustees.  At 
this  time  the  society  had  thirty-five  members. 

On  December  22,  1875,  Arthur  W.  Matthews  deeded  the  society 
a  building  lot  for  $350.  We  suppose  this  to  be  the  lot  upon  which 
a  parsonage  was  built  in  1880,  costing  $1,000. 

In  1886  $350  was  spent  in  improving  church  and  parsonage, 
and  in  1892  $400  was  spent  in  paper,  paint,  carpets,  lamps,  pulpit 
furniture,  etc.  The  church  was  reopened  on  Sunday,  September 
4,  1892,  with  elaborate  and  interesting  services. 

On  June  12,  1900,  Francis  Yates  deeded  to  the  society  as  a  gift 
a  block  of  houses  valued  at  $3,000. 

Work  was  begun  at  Laflin  in  1888,  and  was  continued  some 
years,  and  at  one  time  it  seemed  very  probable  that  a  church  would 
be  built  there. 

Plainsville.  The  class  here  was  organized  about  1831,  and  be- 
longed to  Pittston  and  subsequently  to  Plains  charge.    The  old 


Yatesville,  Pa. 


953 


brick  building  was  dedicated  on  February  13,  1845.  The  writer 
of  the  memoir  of  Rev.  Miner  Swallow  says:  "On  a  rising  spot 
of  ground  close  to  his  father's  happy  home  was  built  a  Methodist 
church,  and  it  was  built  without  a  crushing  debt  on  it,  and  Miner 
Swallow  worked  every  day  of  its  building;  with  his  own  hands 
mixing  the  mortar,  wheeling  stone,  carrying  brick,  driving  nails, 
laying  shingles.  The  people  were  poor,  and  there  was  no  Church 
Extension  Society,  but  he  was  a  whole  society  himself,  and  out 
of  his  work  is  the  beautiful  church  that  now  is  in  Plainsville." 

In  1887  a  wooden  addition  to  the  church  was  built  costing  $914, 
and  the  property  was  improved  in  1902. 

"The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Plainsville"  became  incor- 
porated on  December  4,  1885,  with  John  C.  Williams,  H.  D. 
Smith,  Peter  Ashelman,  W.  C.  Creasy,  and  G.  D.  Clark  trustees. 

In  1 88 1  the  society  became  a  charge  known  as  North  Plains, 
and  in  1884  received  the  name  of  Plainsville.  In  1902  it  became 
a  part  of  Yatesville  charge.  Before  it  was  attached  to  Yatesville 
it  was  served  as  follows,  mostly  students  in  Wyoming  Seminary : 
1880-82,  Henry  Brownscombe;  1883,  W.  W.  Smith;  1884-86, 
H.  D.  Smith;  1887-89,  L.  E.  Van  Hoesen;  April,  1890,  to  Novem- 
ber, 1890,  J.  K.  Peck;  1891,  A.  C.  Brackenbury;  1892,  C.  W. 
Hoflfman;  1893-94,  G.  A.  Warburton;  1895,  C.  D.  Skinner;  1896- 
98,  W.  H.  Decker;  1899-1900,  W.  Gendall;  1901,  Harry  Kelley. 

Pastorates 

1874,  J.  G.  Stephens;  1875-76,  G.  M.  Colville;  1877-79,  W. 
Treible;  1880-81,  I.  B.  Wilson;  1882-83,  W.  Keatley;  1884,  J.  A. 
Faulkner;  1885,  R.  Hiorns ;  1886-87,  J-  E.  Bone;  1888-89,  L.  W. 
Peck;  1890,  J.  C.  Hogan;  1891,  S.  Elwell;  1892-94,  T.  M.  Furey; 
1895-97,  J.  Madison;  1898,  L.  W.  Karschner;  1899,  J.  V.  Newell; 
1900-01,  Harry  Kelley;  1902-03,  T.  M.  Furey. 


954 


Wyoming  Conference 


CHAPTER  XVII 
BRIEF  STATISTICAIi  SUIVOIARY 


i 

(A 
V 

c 
.2 

IT. 

s 
0 

in 

)lenccs. 

u 

JC 

y 

2 

0 

I/i 

rt 
_3 

tors 
irie 

> 

V 

u 

j= 

rt 

« 

U 

> 

> 

P-cn 

10,775 

$  

32 

$23,050 

$20,623 

$3,503 

1862  

13,593 

157 

249,100 

54 

51.625 

39,193 

4,817 

1872  

22,509 

270 

1,025,000 

116 

231,800 

126,857 

18.839 

1882  

26,305 

310 

1,209,640 

136 

211,521 

126,493 

22,878 

36,292 

359 

1,164,300 

166 

295,250 

158,628 

45,749 

42,938 

413 

2,097,800 

203 

420,100 

185.667 

58,721 

The  above  summary  will  indicate  the  growth  of  the  Confer- 
ence. It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  in  1869  Chenango  and 
Otsego  Districts  came  into  the  Conference.  In  1868  these  two 
districts  had  5,726  members,  80  churches  valued  at  $196,400,  37 
parsonages  valued  at  $50,000,  paid  their  pastors  $32,617;  and 
raised  $4,796  for  benevolences. 

In  the  above  table  membership  does  not  include  probationers. 
Pastors'  salaries  include  house  rent  and  donations,  and  be- 
nevolences include  the  amount  raised  for  Conference  Claimants, 
with  Missions,  Sunday  School  Union,  Freedmen's  Aid,  Church 
Extension,  etc..  Tract  Society,  Bible  Society,  Education,  and  other 
benevolent  purposes. 


INDEX 


Abbott  Church,  Choconut  Center, 
538. 

Abrahamsville,  630. 

Adams,  Moses,  147. 

Adams,  Walter  S.,  270. 

Adams  Street,  534. 

Admissions  into  Full  Membership 

in  the  Conference,  124-129. 
Afton,  691. 
Albany  District,  3. 
Alden,  926. 
Aldenville,  607. 
Alderson,  844. 
Alexander,  Almus  D.,  147. 
Alexander,  Charles  S.,  270. 
Alford,  496. 
Alger,  Willard  H.,  271. 
Allen,  John  R.,  272. 
Allis  Hollow,  811. 
Allis  Mission,  919. 
Anderson  Hill,  794. 
Andrews,  E,  G.,  Bishop,  150,  717. 
Andrews,  George  C,  148. 
Andrews,  William  W.,  273. 
Angel,  Joseph  R.,  149. 
Apalachin,  772. 
Ararat,  678. 
Ariel,  598. 
Arlington,  600. 

Armstrong,  Edmund  V.,  273. 

Arnold,  Calvin  V.,  150. 

Asbury,  Bishop,  17,  18,  23,  462,  777. 

Asbury,  Nichols,  808. 

Asbury,  Scranton,  898. 

Ashley,  845. 

Ash  Street,  Scranton,  901. 
Askam,  847. 
Atco,  659. 
Athens,  774. 
Auburn,  Pa.,  440. 
Auburn  Center,  441. 
Auburn  Four  Corners,  441. 
Austin,  Andrew  O.,  274. 
Austin,  Isaac,  151. 
Austin,  John  R.,  275. 
Austin,  Samuel  J.,  271. 
Avoca,  851. 

Bailey,  Judson  N.,  275. 


Bailey,  William  H.,  152. 
Bainbridge,  693. 
Baird,  Joseph,  276. 
Bangs,  Nathan,  738. 
Barker,  Abel,  153. 
Barker,  Elbert  E.,  276. 
Barner,  Silas,  153. 
Barnes,  Dayton  C.,  277. 
Bartlett,  Philip,  154. 
Barton,  776. 
Beach  Grove,  822. 
Beach  Lake  (Pond),  601. 
Beaumont,  855. 
Beavansville,  498. 
Beaver  Meadow,  N.  Y.,  581. 
Beaver  Meadows,  Pa.,  517. 
Beers,  George  O.,  278. 
Bell,  George  M.,  278. 
Benedict,  Haskell  B.,  279. 
Benjamin,  Charles  A.,  280. 
Bennett  Chapel,  932. 
Bennett,  Edgar  L.,  155. 
Bennett,  Lucien  S.,  156. 
Bennett's  Corners,  442. 
•Bennettsville,  727, 
Benninger,  James,  284. 
Benton,  Roger,  21. 
Berkshire,  780. 
Berkshire  District,  4. 
Bethany,  42,  605. 
Bethel  Hill,  722. 
Bethel  Schoolhouse,  604. 
Bibbins,  Elisha,  156. 
Bickford,  John  H.,  283. 
Bidwell  Hill,  668. 
Binghamton  District,  10. 
Bixby,  William,  157. 
Blair,  Hiram  G.,  281. 
Blair,  Williams  T.,  284. 
Blakeslee,  679. 
Blakeslee,  George  H.,  158. 
Blanchard,  Hiram  A.,  159. 
Bloodgood,  John  D.,  282. 
Bloomfield,  Arthur  G.,  285. 
Bobo,  650. 
Bolles,  474. 
Bone,  John  E.,  287. 
Bouton,  Webster  M.,  287. 


956 


Index 


Bowdish,  Leonard,  i6i. 
Boyce,  Jacob  H.,  286. 
Brackneyville,  494. 
Bradshaw,  John,  288. 
Breckinridge,  E.  W.,  161. 
Bridgeman,  Peter  D.,  162. 
Bridgewater  Circuit,  3,  4,  50-54- 
Briggs,  Edwin  R.  D.,  289. 
Briggs  Hollow,  838. 
Brink  Hill  Schoolhouse,  798. 
Bronson,  Ira  L.,  288. 
Brookdale,  479. 
Brooklyn,  54,  459. 
Brooks,  Asa,  165. 
Brookvale,  750. 
Broome  Circuit,  3,  44-50- 
Brown,  Abijah,  160. 
Brown,  Albert  F.,  289. 
Brownscombe,  Henry,  164. 
Brundle,  Joshua,  290. 
Bumpville,  818. 
Bunnell  Hill,  804. 
Burgess,  Thomas,  291. 
Burke,  Alfred  R.,  292. 
Burlington  Flats,  593. 
Burnside,  William,  163. 
Burrall,  Joseph  T.,  163. 
Butts,  Burton  N.,  292. 

Calkins,  630. 

Callendar,  Asa,  294. 

Callendar,  Clark,  293. 

Camp    Meetings,    42,    51,    52,  53, 

65-82. 
Camptown,  783. 
Campville,  464. 
Canaan  Circuit,  3,  39-44. 
Candor,  787. 
Carbondale,  608. 
Cargill,  James  H.,  167. 
Carley  Brook,  620. 
Carmel  Grove,  65. 
Caroline,  823. 
Caroline  Center,  826. 
Carpenter  Schoolhouse,  687. 
Carrier,  David  R.,  167. 
Carruth,  Bishop  B.,  294. 
Cartertown,  442. 
Carverton,  852. 
Castle  Creek,  532. 
Cavanaugh,  Edwin  D.,  295. 
Centenary  Church,  443. 
Center  Lisle,  551. 
Centermoreland,  854. 
Central  Chapel,  823. 
Central  Church,  933. 
Chaffee,  Amasa  F.,  297. 
Chamberlain,  Gilbert  M.,  300. 


Chapman,  Albert  J.,  295. 
Charlotte  Circuit,  707. 
Charlotteville  Seminary,  85. 
Chenango  Bridge,  534. 
Chenango  Circuit,  3,  4,  37. 
Chenango  District,  4,  10. 
Chenango  Forks,  537. 
Chenango  Street  Church,  453. 
Cherry  Ridge,  42,  622. 
Church  Extension,  Origin  of,  193. 
Chinchilla,  858. 
Choconut  Center,  538. 
Chubbuck.  Francis  S.,  168. 
Church  Hill,  585. 
Clark,  Robert  L.,  298. 
Clarke,  Albert,  300. 
Clarke,  Horatio  R.,  168. 
Clark's  Green,  928. 
Clark's  Summit,  856. 
Clifford,  624. 

Clinton  Street  Church,  457. 
Cobb,  William  N.,  169. 
Cochrane,  William  R.,  296. 
Coeducation,  95. 
Colbert,  William,  16,  17. 
Cole,  Leonard,  301. 
Colegrove,  Andrew  M.,  170. 
Coleman,  Joseph  M.,  302. 
Cole's  Hill,  749. 
Columbus,  566. 
Colwell,  Ernest,  302. 
Conference,  Growth  of,  118,  954. 
Conference  Quartet,  137. 
Conference  Trio,  135. 
Conklin  Forks,  494. 
Conklin  Hill,  630. 
Connell,  George  S.,  303. 
Constituent  Members  of  the  Con- 
ference, 124. 
Controversies,  51,  52,  55-64. 
Conversion,  30,  53. 
Cook,  Ambrose  J.,  299. 
Cook,  John  B.,  303. 
Cooper,  Albert  W.,  304. 
Cooperstown,  698. 
Cooperstown  Junction,  702. 
Cooperstown  Seminary,  83. 
Copeland,  D.,  171. 
Cornell,  Ferris  D.,  305. 
Correll,  John  M.,  310. 
Coryell  Vincent  M.,  174. 
Councilman,  Carl,  308. 
Courtdale,  859.  , 
Court  Street  Church,  904. 
Coventry.  539. 
Craig  Hill,  442. 
Cramp,  Stephen  T.,  172. 
Crawford,  William  H.,  306. 


Index 


957 


Crompton,  John  S.,  306. 
Crosby,  George  W.,  309. 
Crowell,  Jesse  T.,  173. 
Crumhorn  Valley,  738,  755. 
Crydenwise,  Henry  M.,  307. 
Cure,  George  A.,  310. 
Custard,  Jeremiah  S.,  309. 

Daleville,  657. 
Dallas,  860. 
Dalton,  465. 
Damascus,  628. 
Danby,  790. 

Daniels,  Alexander  E,,  174. 
Daniels's  Debate,  64. 
Danville,  726. 
Darte's  Corners,  684. 
Davenport,  704. 
Davenport  Center,  707. 
David,  Arthur  D.,  176. 
Davies,  David,  175. 
Davis,  G.  H.  H.,  311. 
Davis,  John  B.,  312. 
Davis,  Judson  W.,  311. 
Deaconess  Work,  117. 
Decatur,  708. 

Decker,  Alexander  D.,  313. 
Delaware  Circuit,  706. 
Delegates  to  General  Conference, 
139. 

De  Munds,  856. 
Dennison,  Edwin,  176. 
Derr  Memorial  Church,  938. 
De  Witt,  Noah  S.,  177. 
Dimock,  69-70,  474,  520. 
Dony,  Francis  A.,  178. 
Doraville,  749. 
Dorranceton,  862, 
Doty,  Franklin  P.,  313. 
Dresser,  H.  H.,  314. 
Dundaff,  624,  684. 
Dunmore,  631. 
Dunmore  (Auburn),  442. 
Dymond  Hollow,  855. 

East  Afton,  741. 
East  Ararat,  641. 
East  Berkshire,  781. 
East  Bridgewater,  495. 
East  Chapel,  670. 
East  Herrick,  784. 
East  Lemon,  531. 
East  Lynn,  520. 
East  McDonough,  583. 
East  Masonville,  727. 
East  Newark,  806. 
East  New  Milford,  510. 
East  Rush,  517. 


East  Windsor,  769. 
East  Worcester,  710. 
Eaton,  863. 

Eckman,  John  G.,  179. 
Eddy,  442. 

Edgar,  William,  180. 
Edmeston,  540. 
Edson,  498. 

Edwards,  Walter  A.,  315. 

Eldridge,  Enoch  P.,  181. 

Elk  Creek,  765. 

Elk  Lake,  442. 

Elliott  Hill,  712. 

Ellis,  Benjamin,  182, 

Ellistown,  832. 

Ellsworth,  Herbert  L.,  315. 

Elmhurst,  657. 

Elm  Park  Church,  906. 

Elwell,  King,  182. 

Elwell,  Stephen,  183. 

Embury  Church,  911. 

Endicott,  468. 

Estes,  Ira  C,  316. 

Eva,  Thomas,  317. 

Evans,  David,  318. 

Evans,  Ziba,  318. 

Evelin  Hill,  810. 

Examinations,  Conference,  137. 

Exeter,  584. 

Expulsions,  133. 

Factory ville,  N.  Y.,  832. 
Factory ville.  Pa.,  468. 
Fairdale,  472. 

Fairfield  (Flemingville),  794. 
Fairfield  (Speedsville),  827. 
Fair  Hill,  473. 
Fairview  Church,  455. 
Falls,  474. 
Farnham,  726. 
Faulkner,  John  A.,  320. 
Fergusonville,  706. 
Finch,  Adelbert  D.,  322. 
Fisher,  Gilbert  D.,  323. 
Fisk,  Wesley  C,  184. 
Fitch  Hill,  714. 
Fleetville,  466. 
Flemingville,  792, 
Flory,  Simon  H.,  319. 
Floyd,  Lyman  C,  321. 
Fly  Creeic,  31,  712. 
Fly  Creek  Valley,  714. 
Forest  City,  633. 
Forest  Lake  Center,  473. 
Forkston,  802. 
Forsyth,  George,  322. 
Fort  Plain  Seminary,  85. 
Forty  Fort,  864. 


958 

Foster,  476. 
Fox,  Hubbard,  184. 
Franklin  Forks,  478. 
Franklin  Street  Church,  939, 
Franklin  Valley,  687. 
Frear,  Charles  A.,  323. 
Frisby,  William,  324. 
Fuller,  Moses  D.,  324. 
Funds,  Conference,  99,  105. 
Furey,  Thomas  M.,  325. 

Galilee,  630. 

Galpin,  Stephen  D.,  326. 
Gardnertown,  740. 
Garrattsville,  541. 
Gavitt,  W.  H.,  185. 
Gendall,  Francis,  186. 
Genesee  Conference,  4. 
Germany  Hill,  810. 
Ghent,  796. 
Gibbs,  Frank  F.,  326. 
Gibson,  479. 
Gibson  Corners,  839. 
Giffin,  Charles  M.,  327. 
Gilbertsville,  543. 
Giles,  Charles,  30. 
Gill,  Richard  C,  327. 
Girdland,  620. 
Glen  Aubrey,  504. 
Glen  Castle,  534. 
Glen  Eyre,  650. 
Glen  Lyon,  867. 
Glenwood,  516. 
Godshall,  Moses  S.,  328. 
Goodrich,  John  K.,  329, 
Gorisse,  Gustave,  332. 
Gouldsboro,  635. 
Granger,  Gordon  L.,  329. 
Grassy  Island,  661. 
Gravity,  670. 
Great  Bend,  484. 
Greene,  544. 
Greene.  Hiram  A.,  330. 
Greenfield,  George,  187. 
Griffin,  Austin,  331. 
Griffing.  John,  166. 
Grimes,  650. 
Grimes.  John  M.,  188. 
Guilford,  547. 

Hale.  Jesse,  45. 
Hale's  Eddy,  636. 
Hall,  Truman  F.,  332. 
Hallstead.  488. 
Halsey  Valley,  830. 
Halstead,  Henry,  igo. 
Halstead,  Thomas  P.,  191. 


Index 


Hamlinton,  663. 
Hanton,  Benjamin  R.,  333. 
Hard,  Manley  S.,  189. 
Harding,  Addison  F.,  333. 
Hard  Scrabble,  528. 
Harford,  N.  Y.,  795. 
Harford,  Pa.,  490. 
Harford  Mills,  795. 
Harned,  Henderson  G.,  334. 
Harpursville,  715. 
Harroun,  Thomas.  336. 
Hartsock,  Frank  D.,  337. 
Hartwell,  Joseph,  192. 
Hartwick,  717. 
Hawley,  637. 
Hawley,  Nelson  J.,  337. 
Hawleyton,  493. 
Hayes,  Addison  W.,  338. 
Hayes,  C.  H.,  339. 
Heart  Lake.  495. 
Hemlock  (South  Canaan),  670. 
Hemlock  Grove,  676. 
Henr>%  Clinton  B.,  340. 
Herdman,  Eugene  C,  194. 
Herrick    Camptown  j ,  784. 
Herrick  Center,  640. 
Herrickville,  786. 
Hewitt,  Jasper  W.,  195. 
Hickor\'  Grove,  497. 
Hickory  Grove  (Clifford),  627. 
High,  Edgar  M.,  196. 
High  Street  Church,  452. 
Hill,  Samuel  H.,  195. 
Hill,  William  J.,  340. 
Hiller,  Will  H.,  341- 
Hiller,  William  ^L,  342. 
Hine's  Corners,  642. 
Hiorns.  Richard,  197. 
Historical  Poem,  Rice,  109. 
Historical  Room.  Contents  of,  122. 
Historical  Society,  107,  123. 
Historical  Society,  Constitution  of, 
107. 

Histor>%  Attempts  at.  141. 
Hoadley's,  624. 
Holbrook.  Philip.  198. 
Hollisterville,  668. 
Homan.  Samuel  J.,  344. 
Honesdale,  643. 
Honesdale  District,  11. 
Hood,  Andrew  W..  199. 
Hopbottom,  51.  52.  459-463. 
Hornbrook.  796. 
Houck,  Philip.  345- 
Howard.  Loring  P.,  346. 
Hunt,  Sidney  E.,  346. 
Hunt's  Corners,  795. 
Huntsville,  921. 


Index 


959 


Hyde  Park,  N.  Y.,  718. 
Hydeville,  534. 

Ide  Town,  874. 
Immersion,  64. 

Incorporation  of  the  Conference, 
99. 

Ingalls,  Rosman,  199. 
Intemperance,  28,  29. 
Itaska,  592. 

Jackson,  646. 
Jackson  (Lehman),  874. 
Jacobs,  Gaylord  C,  347. 
James,  Frank,  347. 
Jay,  Stephen,  348. 
Jeffrey,  Eugene  L.,  349. 
Jenkins,  Isaac,  350. 
Jenkinsville,  827. 
Jenningsville,  802. 
Jennison,  Levi,  349. 
Jermyn,  648. 
Jersey  Hill,  792. 
Jewell,  Charles  H.,  351. 
Johnson,  James  C,  352. 
Johnson,  John  W.,  352. 
Johnson,  Thomas  F.,  200. 
Jiidd,  Charles  W.,  201. 
Judd,  Gaylord,  201. 
Judd,  William  J.,  351. 
Jumping,  46,  47,  SI. 

Karschner,  Lloyd  W.,  353. 
Kasson  Corners,  443. 
Kattelville,  537. 
Keatley,  William,  203. 
Keeney,  Seabury  B.,  354. 
Keen  Summit,  786. 
Kelley,  Harry,  354. 
Kennedy,  Samuel  S.,  204. 
Kenyon,  Richard  L.,  205. 
Ketchumville,  505. 
Killawog,  554. 
Kilpatrick,  Egbert,  355. 
Kimberlin,  John,  202. 
King,  Francis  A.,  356. 
Kingsbury  Hill,  636. 
Kingsley,  492. 
King's  Settlement,  570. 
Kingston,  868. 
Kinney,  William  B.,  205. 
Kirk,  581. 
Kirkwood,  499. 
Kline,  Edwin  N.,  356. 
Kunkle,  845. 

Laanna,  675. 

La  Bar,  John,  206. 


Lackawanna,  871. 

Lackawanna  District,  8. 

Lackawaxen,  649. 

Lake  Como,  650. 

Lakeside,  478. 

Lake  Winola,  475. 

Landon,  George,  784. 

Lanesboro,  719. 

Larksville,  860. 

Lathrop,  William  D.,  359. 

Laurens,  722. 

Leach,  George  W.,  206. 

Leacock,  John  C,  357. 

Lebanon  Circuit,  570,  578. 

Ledgedale,  601. 

Lee,  James  N.,  358. 

Legg,  Judson  L.,  208. 

Lehman,  873. 

Lemon,  520. 

Lenoxville,  626. 

Le  Raysville,  797. 

Lesh,  R.  Floyd,  362. 

Lestershire,  500. 

Lewis,  Charles  L.,  359. 

Lewis,  George  C,  209. 

Lewis,  Joshua  S.,  360. 

Lewis,  Nathaniel,  48,  49,  720,  778. 

Lime  Hill,  785. 

Linnaberry,  W.  L.,  361. 

Lisle,  551. 

Litchfield,  798. 

Littell,  Jacob  H.,  364. 

Little  Chapel,  668. 

Little  Meadows,  799. 

Livingstone,  Thomas,  363. 

Locations,  132. 

Lockwood,  800. 

Locust  Hill,  497. 

Locust  Ridge,  680. 

Loomis,  Abraham  W.,  209. 

Lowry,  Raymond  W.,  364. 

Loyalville,  877. 

Luzerne,  875. 

Lyman,  Gideon  C,  362. 

Lynch,  William  R.,  210. 

Lynn,  520. 

Lyon  Street,  683. 

McAlpine,  William,  365. 
McChesney,  Grant  G.,  367. 
McClure,  725. 
McDermott,  Hugh  C,  369. 
McDermott,  William  R.,  370. 
McDonald,  David  L.,  365. 
McDonough,  555. 
McKellar,  Donald  S.,  366. 
McKune's,  524. 
McMillen,  Edward,  371. 


960 

Madison,  Joseph,  368. 
Maine,  502. 
Maple  Grove,  877. 
Maple  Lake,  656. 
Maplewood,  668. 
Marathon,  552. 
Marcy,  Nicholas  B.,  211. 
Martin,  Edward  A.,  364. 
Marvin,  Martin,  31. 
Masonville,  726. 
Matthews,  Truman,  executed, 
44. 

Mead,  Peter  F.,  372. 

Meaker,  David  L.,  372. 

Meaker,  Jared  N.,  368. 

Meeker,  877. 

Mehoopany,  801. 

Meshoppen,  54,  803. 

Metcalf  Hill,  738. 

Methodism,  Spirit  of,  121. 

Mevis,  John  W.,  211. 

Michigan  Hill,  795. 

Middlefield,  731. 

Middlefield  Center,  728-730. 

Milanville,  630. 

Milford,  32,  733. 

Mill  City,  475. 

Milwaukee,  512. 

Miner's  Mills,  893. 

Minutes,  Evolution  of,  133. 

Mogg,  Curtis  E.,  371. 

Montdale,  686. 

Montrose,  505. 

Moore,  James,  22. 

Moore,  Samuel,  373. 

Mooretown,  877. 

Moosic,  878. 

Morris,  558. 

Morris  Chapel,  791. 

Moscow,  653. 

Mott,  Philip  M.,  374. 

Mountain  Top,  879. 

Mount  Pleasant  Schoolhouse, 

Mount  Upton,  559. 

Mount  Vision,  738. 

Mount  Zion,  853. 

Mulkey,  John,  212. 

Murdock,  Leonard  C,  375. 

Myersburg,  818. 

Myrtle  Street  Church,  902. 

Nanticoke,  19. 
Nanticoke,  N.  Y.,  504. 
Nanticoke,  Pa.,  880. 
Narrowsburg,  658. 
Nay  Aug,  902. 
Neff,  Alvin  J.,  213. 
Nelson,  Reuben,  213. 


Index 


Netherton,  William  R.,  375. 
Newark  Valley,  804. 
New  Berlin,  563. 
Newell,  John  V.,  376. 
Newing,  Charles  H.,  378. 
New  Milford,  509. 
New  Ohio,  568. 
Newport  Circuit,  847. 
Newton,  511. 
Nichols,  807. 
43,     Nicholson,  513. 

Nicholson,  John  W.,  378. 
Nineveh,  715. 
Noble,  W.  A.,  377. 
North  Afton,  692. 
North  Barton,  800. 
North  Fenton,  567. 
North  Ghent,  796. 
North  Guilford,  577. 
North  Jackson,  647. 
North  Maine,  503. 
North  Norwich,  568. 
North  Orwell,  811. 
North  Sanford,  741. 
North  Tioga,  809. 
Norwich,  570. 
Noxen,  882. 

Oak  Hill,  527. 
Oakland,  742. 
Oak  Street  Church,  458. 
Ogden,  536. 
Old  Forge,  884. 
Olin,  William  H.,  214. 
Olmstead,  Charles  M.,  380. 
Olmstead,  De  Witt  C,  216. 
Olver,  Albert  C,  379. 
Oneida  Conference,  4,  5. 
Oneida  District,  5. 
Oneonta,  743. 
Oneonta  District,  11. 
Oneonta  Plains,  723. 
798.     Orange,  853. 
Oregon,  620. 
Orwell,  810. 
Otego,  746. 
Otsdawa,  748. 
Otsego  Circuit,  3,  25-35. 
Otsego  District,  4,  5,  10. 
Ouaquaga,  748. 
Owego,  812. 
Owego  District,  5,  il. 
Owen,  Anning,  12-16. 
Oxford,  575. 

Paddock,  James  H.,  217. 
Paddock,  Zachariah.  217. 
Palmer,  Louis  D.,  380. 


I 


Parrish  Street  Church,  948. 
Parsons,  885. 
Parsons,  Frank  H.,  381. 
Parsons,  George,  219. 
Pascoe,  Richard  M.,  383. 
Paupack,  600. 
Pearce,  Elmer  E.,  381. 
Pearce,  Marmaduke,  220. 
Peck,  George,  220. 
Peck,  George  M.,  223. 
Peck,  Jesse  T.,  Bishop,  191. 
Peck,  Jonathan  K.,  224. 
Peck,  Luther,  226. 
Peck,  Luther  W.,  227. 
Peck-Marsh  Controversy,  55, 
Peck-Miller  Debate,  63. 
Peckville,  660. 
Perch  Pond,  716. 
Personeus,  David,  232. 
Phillips,  Levi  C,  231. 
Pike  Circuit,  797. 
Pipe  Creek  Chapel,  810. 
Pitts,  Levi,  230. 
Pittston,  887. 
Plains,  891. 
Plainsville,  952. 
Pleasant  Brook,  732. 
Pleasant  Mount,  662. 
Plymouth,  N.  Y.,  578. 
Plymouth,  Pa.,  8193. 
Pocono  Lake,  681. 
Pomeroy,  Jesse,  229. 
Pond  Hill,  818. 
Port  Crane,  751. 
Porter,  George  P.,  229. 
Portlandville,  703. 
Place,  George  A.,  382. 
Piatt  Hollow,  738. 
Potter,  Albert  E.,  382. 
Prattville,  797. 

Preachers'  Aid  Society,  99-106. 

Prentice,  George  H.,  384. 

Preston,  582. 

Price,  John  W.,  385. 

Prompton,  624. 

Prospect  Valley,  825. 

Providence  Church,  913. 

Quartet,  Conference,  137. 
Quarterly  Meetings,  20,  21. 
Queal,  William  G.,  233. 
Quimby,  Eugene  A.,  385. 

Race,  James  L.,  386. 
Race,  John  H.,  387. 
Randolph,  46,  498. 
Ransom,  Jared  C,  234. 
Redistricting,  142-145. 


lix  961 

Rendham,  897. 

Reunion  of  Oneida  and  Wyoming 

Conferences,  8,  9. 
Reynolds,  Charles  H.,  389. 
Reynolds,  Nelson  P.,  234. 
Rhetta,  517. 

Rice,  Charles  Lane,  235. 

Rice,  Charles  Lane,  His  Historical 

Poem,  no. 
Richardson  Hill,  724. 
Richmondville,  764. 
Riley ville,  621. 
Ripley,  Benjamin  P.,  389. 
Ripley,  Nelson  B.,  390. 
Riverside,  499. 
River  Valley,  808. 
Roberts,  Eli  F.,  236. 
Rockdale,  551. 
Rockwell,  T.  B.,  237. 
Rome,  817. 

Rose,  Rodney  S.,  238. 

Roseboom,  732. 

Ross  Hill,  N.  Y.,  779. 

Ross  Hill  Class,  14. 

Round,  William,  239. 

Rowe,  Henry  F.,  239. 

Rowlands,  650. 

Ruckman,  Phineas  G.,  388. 

Ruger,  Morgan,  241. 

Ruggles,  877. 

Rush,  516. 

Rush  Four  Corners,  517. 
Russell  Hill,  N.  Y.,  741. 
Russell  Hill,  Pa.,  804. 
Ryder,  James,  240. 

Sabin,  Edwin  N.  392. 
Sackett,  Charles  H.,  392. 
Safford,  John  D.,  241. 
Saint  Paul's  Church,  919. 
Salem,  663. 

Salem  Camp  Ground,  70-73. 
Sand  Hill,  762. 
Sanford,  725. 
Sanford,  Luman  E.,  393. 
Sanitaria  Springs,  749. 
Santee,  Elijah  L.,  394. 
Santee,  Joseph  B.,  396. 
Sartell,  C.  W.,  241. 
Sayre,  819. 
Schenevus,  752. 
Schofield,  Abraham,  242. 
Schofield,  James,  243. 
Schultzville,  512. 
Schuyler's  Lake,  583. 
Sessions  of  Conference,  146. 
Serviss,  Joseph  L.,  393. 
Severson,  George  A.,  244. 


962  I] 

Severson,  Oscar  L.,  400. 
Seward,  Charles  H.,  391. 
Shannon  Hill,  442. 
Shavertown,  921. 
Shaw,  William  M.,  397. 
Shelp,  William,  245. 
Shepard,  Charles  D.,  395. 
Shepard,  David  A.,  246. 
Shepherd's  Creek,  800. 
Sherburne,  585. 
Sherman  Street  Church,  949. 
Shipman,  Isaac  N.,  397. 
Shupp  Hill,  531. 
Sibley,  Edgar,  403. 
Sidney,  756. 
Sidney  Center,  758. 
Sidney  Grove  Camp  Ground, 
Silvaria,  822. 

Simpkins,  Samuel  C,  397. 
Simpson  Church,  917. 
Simpson,  William  G.,  399. 
Singer,  Edgar  B.,  401. 
Skinner's  Eddy,  821. 
Slaterville,  822. 
Smith,  Charles,  402. 
Smith,  Charles  C,  245. 
Smith,  Erastus,  242. 
Smith,  Howard  D.,  402. 
Smith,  Irving  J.,  403. 
Smith,  Joseph,  Mormon,  46. 
Smith,  Young  C,  247. 
Smith  Hill,  621. 
Smithboro,  777. 
Smithville  Center,  557. 
Smithville  Flats,  47,  557- 
Smyrna,  587. 
South  Auburn,  821. 
South  Canaan,  669. 
South  Danby,  824. 
South  Eaton,  863. 
South  Gibson,  481. 
South  Hill  (Orwell),  811. 
South  Hill  (Schenevus),  755. 
South  New  Berlin,  589. 
South  Owego,  773. 
South  Preston,  652. 
South  Sterling,  674. 
South  Valley,  709. 
South  Warren,  797. 
South  worth,  Joseph  S.,  405. 
Southworth,  Reuben  S.,  248. 
Speedsville,  826. 
Spencer,  828. 
Spencer,  Francis,  246. 
Spencer,  Samuel  W.,  248. 
Spencer  Camp  Ground,  77,  78. 
Sperry,  Aaron  C,  249. 
Sperry,  Lyman,  250. 


Spiritualism,  57-63. 

Sprague,  Levi  L.,  405. 

Springbrook,  656. 

Spring  Hill,  842. 

Springville,  518. 

Standing  Stone,  785. 

Stang,  William  H.,  406. 

Stanton  Hill,  652. 

Starrucca,  677. 

Statistical  Summary,  954. 

Steene,  690. 

Sterling,  671. 

Stevens,  Samuel  G.,  404. 

Stevens  Point,  722. 

Stewart  Memorial  Church,  897. 

Stoddartsville,  680. 

Stone,  G.  Barto,  407. 

Stone,  Samuel  M.,  251. 

Stull,  883. 

Sugar  Hollow,  863. 

Sugar  Notch,  850. 

Sumner,  John  B.,  407. 

Surdam,  Charles  M.,  408. 

Susquehanna,  521.  ^ 

Susquehanna  District,  4,  5. 

Susquehanna  Seminary,  86-88. 

Swallow,  Miner,  252. 

Swamp  Mills,  659. 

Swartz,  Taylor,  253. 

Sweet,  Charles  E.,  410. 

Sweet,  Cornelius,  409. 

Sweet,  John  B.,  410. 

Taber,  James  M.,  411. 
Tabernacle  Church,  449. 
Tallmansville,  650. 
Taylor,  922. 

Taylor,  Corrington  E.,  253. 
Taylor,  Fred  P.,  254. 
Taylor,  James  M.,  411. 
Terry,  Seward  A.,  412. 
Texas,  596. 
The  Brick,  542. 
The  Chapel,  585. 
Thomas,  John  L.,  413. 
Thomas,  Walter  B.,  254. 
Thompson,  677. 
Thornhurst.  679. 
Thorpe,  Willis  L.,  413. 
Throop,  903. 
Thurston  Hollow,  863. 
Tiffany,  Cortland  P.,  414. 
Tioga,  831. 

Tioga  Circuit,  3,  36,  37- 
Tioga  Seminary,  88. 
Todd,  Charles  W.,  4iS- 
Toddsville,  714  7i7- 
Tompkinsville,  626. 


Torrey,  620. 
Torry,  Daniel,  256. 
Tower,  Purrington  R.,  416. 
Towner,  Isaac  P.,  255. 
Towner,  Joseph,  53. 
Towner  Hill,  818. 
Tracy  Creek,  530. 
Transfers,  129. 
Transue,  John  A.,  417. 
Transue  Valley,  822. 
Tree  of  Binghamton  Methodism, 
444. 

Treible,  Wilson,  419, 
Triangle,  591. 
Trio,  Conference,  135. 
Tripp  Park  Church,  905. 
Trucksville,  921. 
Trustees'  By-laws,  loi. 
Tryon,  Levi,  D.,  256. 
Tuckley,  Henry,  418. 
Tunkhannock,  923. 
Turnersville,  656. 

Unadilla,  759. 
Unadilla  Center,  762. 
Underwood,  George  N.,  420. 
Underwood,  Jonas,  419. 
Union  (Mount  Upton),  562. 
Union,  N.  Y.,  524. 
Union,  Pa.,  657. 
Union  (West  Nicholson),  531. 
Union  Center,  526. 
Union  Church  (East  Sidney),  761. 
Union  Corners,  796. 
Uniondale,  682. 
Union  Hill,  863. 

Union  Valley  (Bainbridge),  697. 
Union  Valley  (Rome),  818. 
Unitarianism,  56,  57,  63,  64. 
Universalism,  44,  56. 
University   of   Northern  Pennsyl- 
vania, 85,  86. 

Van  Campen,  Louis  T.,  421. 
Van  Qeft,  Asa  J.,  421. 
Van  Deusen,  Henry  N.,  422. 
Vandling,  634. 
Van  Hoesen,  Louis  E.,  422. 
Van  Woert,  Grant  E.,  423. 
Varcoe,  Richard,  257. 
Varden,  670. 

Vaughn,  Thomas  J.,  424. 
Vawter  Schoolhouse,  798. 
Vernon,  855. 
Vestal,  528. 
Vestal  Center,  529, 
Vickery,  Charles  R.,  425. 
Vose,  804. 

Vrooman,  Chauncey  C,  425. 


Index  963 

Wadsworth,  William  A.,  258. 
Wagner,  Josiah  R.,  426. 
Wait  Settlement,  838. 
Waldron,  Charles  K,  426. 
Wallace  Schoolhouse,  531. 
Wallsville,  686. 
Walworth,  Seymour  E.,  427. 
Wanamie,  925. 
Warburton,  George  A.,  430. 
Warner,  Justus  F.,  428. 
Warnock,  Thomas  R.,  430. 
Warren,  Ira  D.,  259. 
Warren  Center,  799. 
Watrous,  Ward  W.,  431. 
Waverly,  N.  Y.,  832. 
Waverly,  Pa.,  926. 
Waymart,  687. 
Weeks,  Lyman  B.,  429. 
Wells,  James  L.,  261. 
Wells  Bridge,  761. 
Wentz,  William  S.,  257. 
West  Abington,  471. 
West  Auburn,  821. 
West  Burlington,  541. 
West  Damascus,  621. 
West  Danby,  836. 
West  Davenport,  708. 
West  Exeter,  592. 
Westford,  763. 
Westlake,  William  B.,  260. 
West  Nanticoke,  929. 
West  Nicholson,  530. 
Weston,  Jonathan  H.,  262. 
West  Pittston,  930. 
Westville,  736. 
Wheeler,  Henry  E.,  431. 
Whitaker,  Adelbert  H.,  432. 
White,  ElDenezer,  Pastoral  Methods 
of,  26. 

Whiteman,  S.  Lee,  433. 
White  Mills,  604. 
White's  Corners,  442. 
White  Store,  590. 
White's  Valley,  663. 
Whitham,  Joseph,  259. 
Whitney's  Point,  593. 
Whittemore  Hill,  465. 
Wilbur,  Henry  H.,  433. 
Wilbur  Lake,  724. 
Wilcox,  William  S.,  434. 
Wild,  Luzerne  A.,  432. 
Willett,  595. 

Williams,  Arthur  O.,  435. 
Williams,  David,  265. 
Williams,  George  L.,  437. 
Williams,  Hugh  A.,  434. 
Williams,  John  P.,  263. 
Williams,  Martin  V.,  438. 


964 


Index 


Willow  Point,  529. 

Willseyville,  825. 

Wilson,  Isaac  B.,  438. 

Windham,  838. 

Windham  Summit,  798. 

Windsor,  766. 

Winwood,  652. 

Withdrawals,  132. 

Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety, 114. 

Woman's  Home  Missionary  So- 
ciety, 115. 

Woman,  Work  of,  in  the  Confer- 
ence, 112. 

Wood,  Alonzo,  263. 

Woodruff,  James  O.,  266. 

Wood,  Stephen  H.,  436. 

Worcester,  770. 

Worden,  Peter  S.,  268. 

Worthing,  Jonathan,  265. 


Wright,  Sanders  F.,  435. 
Wrigley,  Abel,  437. 
Wyalusing,  839. 
Wyalusing  District,  8. 
Wyatt,  William,  267. 
Wyoming,  949. 

Wyoming  Camp  Ground,  78-82. 
Wyoming  Circuit,  3,  12-25. 
Wyoming  Conference,  5,  6. 
Wyoming   Conference,    First  Ap- 
pointments, 7. 
Wyoming  District,  5,  11. 
Wyoming  ■Massacre,  2. 
Wyoming,  Name,  i. 
Wyoming  Seminary,  88-98,  121. 
Wyoming  Valley,  i. 

Yatesville,  952. 
Young,  Frank  W.,  439. 
Youngs'  Station,  759. 


